Bloxham school

[trust43]

Anybody have any idea of what bloxham school is like?

We looked around for DD a long time ago (boarding) and a DD of a friend started there and left.

We felt it was more geared to boys than girls. We thought it was too isolated and it seems to pick up a lot of local children so boarding is a bit hit and miss if you live further away. Friend chose it as a day school. It is a beautiful site though. Very mellow!

If you are nearby, then great. If you want better, try Rugby.

Bloxham is definitely more focused on the boys than girls. Generally gives the vibe of a school that is saying all the right things but in reality is coasting or actually not delivering.
However, the beautiful campus, warm atmosphere and lack of pressure could be just what a particular child needs. Boarding is definitely weekly/random rather than full-time....nothing and nobody there after sport on a Saturday. Has just opened a mixed day only house so ethos of school moving toward very local based.

Hi I don’t recognise some of these comments. My son is at Bloxham and absolutely loves it. The class sizes are small (12) and really tailored towards what individual children need rather than catering for the masses it has a knack of finding each child’s strength and developing that. It is a small school so much more caring and the head genuinely knows every child. Most full board at 13 however I like the flexibility of picking and choosing a few nights a week most Saturday evenings there is a social of some sort. The facilities are great especially the DT block. I would say this is a much gentler boarding experience than some of the bigger names nearby

Hi it’s maybe too late to send you this message, my child will go to Bloxham next September, I was happy before but , we got cold feet now , it’s seems people give very mixed reviews on this school, if it ok can you please let me know know.

I’m new to this , if it’s ok can you please give more feedback on Bloxham, we got place but I have got cold feet now .

We visited Bloxham recently as are looking quite widely at present for our ds.
We thought it was an excellent school for the middling child or the bright child needing a supportive environment/ with mild SEND. It is certainly not a high powered or flashy impressive school, but had good facilities and actually gets pretty good exam results given it is only very minimally selective.

Oh and some of the comments above don't seem accurate at all. They are about 350 boarders to slightly over 100 day pupils (day ends at either 6/9pm) and to us seemed set up as a boarding school that has some day pupils rather than vice versa.
What J20kt said in their 2018 comment seems spot on.

I’m even more worried now , my kid not any of this . Not sporty , bright in certain subjects and middle group others, definitely a leader . He feel like his is in wrong school now , because can’t coop with bad behaviour of some kids in current independent school now and non responsive teachers , every time when is a problem, he feels guilty to even talk about it , because of reaction in teaching staff,which leaves him and us frustrated. But we heard that ethos in Bloxham very strong and positive . And we always go somewhere else for A levels.

Head definitely doesn't know every child, maybe their name but not them! And school is definitely not a full boarding school, weekly maybe at a push. Ethos is caring and results are decent for non-selective entry. Teachers are generally committed and children do their individual best.

Thank you very much for all your comments, do you know how many classes in year 8? I decided on flexy boarding for first year, 2-3 nights just to let them used to it . I love when teachers committed, I wonder if discipline and behaviour there good .In our current school, not very nice , but teachers don’t care .

Hi Voed, have you been to see the school? I went and liked it a lot. It felt warm and the kids seemed happy and attentive. Where is your son at the moment?

Hi, we in Akeley Wood school , which is very comfortable for me 5 min drive and go up to 18 years , but not sure about academic side of it . What about your child what school are he is in now ?
I’m literally torn between, here is his friends and it’s comfortable. We been to school about year ago , had good impression, but now I think we got cold feet or maybe it’s scare to leave comfort zone. We still indecisive, pandemic doesn’t help.
Thank you very much for your comment , is your child going to Bloxham?

Hi Voed

I'm not totally where we are going to send my son at the moment but are still considering Bloxham after I viewed it. I felt it was a lovely atmosphere and I know of a few other people who are registered for it - all lovely families. My son has been offered a boarding place at St Edwards but we haven't seen the school yet.

If you are around the Akeley Wood area you have St Edwards in Oxford or Stowe. Both have their strengths. Akeley Wood cannot compare with these schools. I know AW and it’s a little backwater. Could DS not get into RLS?

You don’t have to be any particular sort of child to fit in. Just go in with an open mind. DCs find their own interests and strengths. However academics at both St Edwards and Stowe are very good, despite what some people think! However enrichment and breadth of education are what you pay for on top of academics. I tend to think that if you are paying, aim high.

Hello,

I've listed Bloxham as a school I like. We are thinking of moving to the bucks area or Oxfordshire. Do you know how much your guaranteed a place at a school like bloxham? Entry exam? Very new to Private school system and looking to get my twin girls into one for secondary. Also what prep school would feed into Bloxham if we moved in primary years?

Bloxham has an entry exam for Year 7and Year 9, usually mid January of preceeding year. Not known to be too difficult and most will receive an offer. Scholarship assessments are then too, apart from sport which is in the Autumn beforehand. Local private schools such as Winchester House and Beachborough traditionally send largish cohorts every year to Bloxham, particularly academically weaker students or day pupils. Children also come from local state primary schools at Year 7.