Sherborne School(Boys) or Bedford School?

[MrWestinghouse]

Hi my son has received unconditional offers from both Sherborne School and Bedford School for A levels, which one has a better reputation and eton Harrow alike? Thanks 🙏🏻

@HainaultViaNewburyPark

And on Sundays?

Bedford School has an intake of 17% International students - I am not sure what Sherborne percentage intake is. The reason why I actually thought Bedford School would work better for a 16-18 year is because it has day boarders too (The boarding houses are twinned so the day boys and the boarders develop a strong bond). This will give the Op's son an opportunity to socialise with both day boys and boarders and develop a wider circle of friends. Op's DS will be 16/17 years old when attending which will allow him to go into town and into London too on weekends allot of the day boarders live within a 5 to 15 mile radius of the school (I know of a few boys that will be in the lower sixth form because my daughter is in the same year at the girls school).

Bedford may also be a better location for hands on experience (volunteer/work experience) in the medical field too which is really necessary if that is the field he wishes to pursue. There is a hospital in the town and obviously being so close to Cambridge there are immense opportunities with Bio science companies etc.

None of us have met the Op's DS so its hard to say which school would suit him - but I am sure with the research the op has done he will choose the right school be it Bedford or Sherborne (or another school). I do know Sherborne and it is a beautiful location - I just know my 16 year old daughter would hate being in such a rural location ...but the Op's son may love it.

No - not on Sundays. But there aren't very many Sundays by the time you've allowed for 17 and a bit weeks of holiday and 5 exeats.

Ime interaction between overseas boarders and day pupils is often limited, even with Saturday school. Where would he be going for exeats and half term?

Just counted - 23 Sundays per academic year (fewer in the upper sixth as they won't go all the way to the end of term since exams will finish earlier).

You seem to have a few things here !

I am not sure there is anything such as a "public school accent" - if you mean speaking cogently and correctly - I can understand that, but not all public schools do that

Sherborne ( I had a friend with a son there ) is very beautiful and pretty and may fit in with your idea of an English public school. That said , I do not know Bedford school , even vicariously , so you will have to choose.

From abroad I would say that ( as previous posters have said ) having more weekend boarders would be a Good Thing. Also if the school gets generally good results then if your child is clever , then they will do well. Sherborne is not known as the most academic school but my friend's son went to a very good UK university from there , it would give you the very lovely UK experience ( if that is what you want) and I am of the opinion , even if a school does not have the best results overall , if your child is committed & good teachers , they will by and large get where their abilities would take them.

I do agree with LIZS though above - check the boarding and where exeats etc would be spent - Also if your son's aspiration is medicine , results are going to be pretty important ( but see my post above )

The Half terms I would have thought would be trips - I know the boys have been over in Finland during Feb HT ....normally the agents arrange for a host family during exeats (I get lots of requests come through to me because I live on Beds/Cambridge border and registered to host a French child to assist my daughters language skills).

Ime interaction between overseas boarders and day pupils is often limited, even with Saturday school.?

That's not the case at Sherborne. There are not large numbers of 'international' students in the boys school, a few in each house (3/4) and of varied origins. There are no cliques.

It's also very, very long time between four on a Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.

A comment otherwise is the opinion of somebody who has absolutely no idea of what they are talking. This is a great disservice to the OP and his son.

Just counted - 23 Sundays per academic year

So that is 23 days when there is absolutely nothing happening, and hardly anyone around.

The alternative is a school where everyone is around for meals, clubs and societies organise outings or meetings, there are music groups, play rehearsals, lots of people to play sport or go to the gym with, get together and play computer games with, go out for tea with...

I'm not sure that is accurate. Firstly, there are a significant number of borders (they aren't a tiny minority). Secondly, many of the day boys live within walking distance of Bedford School. It's very close to the town centre - not on a rural campus somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Borders and day boys socialising at the weekend isn't unusual.