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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Oundle or Oakham School

36 replies

MalbecMummy · 20/09/2017 10:53

We have shortlisted the two schools for our DS and was wondering if anyone had any specific comments on either of these two please? DS is an all rounder so I think would fit in academically with both schools. Thank you.

OP posts:

AsSummerTurnsToAutumn · 20/09/2017 18:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dumbledore345 · 20/09/2017 19:45

Are you looking for a day or a boarding place? If boarding, do you want your DS to come home at the weekends? Oundle is much more of a full boarding school. Most of the students are in most weekends. Oakham has a larger day and weekly boarding contingent. That makes a big difference to the weekend feel. If you are abroad/along way away your DS will have a better experience at a full boarding school. If you want to see him every weekend Oakham might be better.

Original poster

MalbecMummy · 20/09/2017 23:01

Weekly boarding we think as we are a reasonable distance from both schools. So stressful choosing schools!

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Crue11a · 23/09/2017 14:44

Oundle is full boarding or day -- no weekly boarding. So perhaps your decision is made... Good luck with the decision!

EsmeMargaretNoteSpelling · 23/09/2017 21:09

My DD has been at Oakham for 5 years and has just started in 6th form They joke that only Oakham and Hogwarts have a 7th! We are locals so she is a day pupil but I can't speak more highly of the school. It prides itself on all rounders but you don't have to be one to get the best out of the experience. My DD isn't sporty at all but has sailed for the school for 3 years and loved it, she doesn't really like languages but managed an A for French gcse and a B for Latin.
It's a good mix of children, we aren't rich at all, my DDs fees come from a legacy left when my Dad died, but we have never had a problem mixing in with those who are minted. I love the house system, it ensures that the school experience is small enough that any issues are picked up quickly. Happy to answer any other questions.

WineBeforeCake · 24/09/2017 18:47

Go see them both as neither are weekly boarding schools.

Androidsdreamofelectricsheep · 24/09/2017 18:53

Have you seen the ghastly trousers they make girls wear at Oundle?
Oundle pupils seem to spend a lot of time walking round Oundle going from one lesson to another as it owns buildings all over the town.

EsmeMargaretNoteSpelling · 24/09/2017 23:08

Oakham does have weekly boarding as an option.

Original poster

MalbecMummy · 26/09/2017 00:01

Thanks everyone. We need to look at them properly! I guess we might have to look at him being a day boy but we're looking at about an hours drive to both.

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GinGarden · 26/09/2017 21:00

Androids the academic campus at Oundle is actually pretty compact and everything is very easy to get to. The new SciTec / DT & MAths building is opposite the Foreign Languages Dept and Art Gallery and next to the Music dept which is opposite the English dept and next to the Cloisters which houses all other subjects and art so hardly 'a lot of time walking'. HAve to agree on the ghastly culottes though but the girls love them!!

Original poster

MalbecMummy · 26/09/2017 21:16

GinGarden - do you have experience of Oundle? What's your feelings on it? X

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GinGarden · 26/09/2017 22:03

Two very happy DCs at Oundle. Pastoral care has been fabulous, facilities and quality of teaching and extra curricular has been very good. I hear that the music dept is superb although i dont have musicians but sport and drama has been very good. Recently had a leave out w/e and other parents all seem equally happy.
Did consider Oakham but wanted /needed a more fully inclusive boarding school, although day children are very well catered for in their own 'house' and fully involved in all aspects of school life & it has been nice for our DCs to have 'local friends' too. Highly recommend.

Original poster

MalbecMummy · 26/09/2017 23:11

GinGarden - thank you for this. Very helpful indeed. I need to go soon as we've already registered him and I'd like to see it before the Jan entrance exams! I hear they are building a new sports complex and pool - do you know when this is due to be completed please? You have really reassured me. I heard that the (fairly) new Head is doing well pastorally.

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Androidsdreamofelectricsheep · 27/09/2017 09:46

Gingarden where are they all going then? I used to supply teach in a State school in Oundle and many's the time I have battled through hoards of them going along the road, or nearly run them over because some of them don't seem to want to use a zebra crossing!

Androidsdreamofelectricsheep · 27/09/2017 09:50

(Not criticising)

GinGarden · 27/09/2017 10:31

Androids we actually had the same experience with the local Oundle school yesterday too . Oundle School pupils are allowed into the town at morning break which lasts 15 mins, so yes there is a large influx for all of 10 mins whilst they nip into town and get their 'goodies' but they have to adhere to strict rules of conduct whilst in the town - no eating, no mobile phone use etc and there are staff & prefects ready to pounce if they step out of line.
At lunchtime they have to report to house and eat 'in-house'.
I think the town does quite well out of the school so I'm sure they don't grumble too much..!!

GinGarden · 27/09/2017 10:34

...plus my DC had never seen a zebra crossing before they went to Oundle so apologies if they are the ones that forgot to use it

Logans · 27/09/2017 11:09

I vaguely recall reading about issues with pastoral care not being too hot at Oundle, however you should probably advance search MN OP as that may be out of date now.

Oakham - I've heard as above supposed to be a great all round supportive school.

Androidsdreamofelectricsheep · 27/09/2017 12:17

Gingarden I think it is just standard teenage behaviour. To be fair some of them do use the zebra crossing and thank people for waiting for them.

Ttbb · 27/09/2017 12:28

Just going to stick my oar in here but have any of you sent children to the oundle junior school? What percentage of the senior school are students that have come from the junior? OP where has you son done prep/junior school-does he know anyone else going to either school?

Original poster

MalbecMummy · 28/09/2017 00:43

Ttbb - his prep school is not a feeder for Oundle although we do have a few that go. A lot more of them go to Oakham. He's quite a happy little man so I have no
Problems with him being the only one. But I note your point about Lawton as I hear a huge percentage obviously go on up to Oundle.

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Original poster

MalbecMummy · 28/09/2017 00:44

Laxton! Predictive text - grrr!

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Ttbb · 28/09/2017 23:39

Please don't feel freaked out but we are currently looking for schools in that area-is you son going to Witham by any chance?

Original poster

MalbecMummy · 29/09/2017 00:46

Ttbb - no but I do know a LOT of Witham parents and children. Is that a school you're looking at? All the parents seem very happy there.

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Ttbb · 29/09/2017 09:08

Yes, it's a bit far but we noticed that it came highly reccomended. What are the witham parents like? What is your impression of their children? Have you heard any complaints or particular points of praise?

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