Private school in Oxfordshire

[Mariamans]

Hi all
I would like some recommendations for the best private school in (Abingdon,Wallingford ,Oxford ) and surrounding areas for starting into year 7 please.TIA

Abingdon boys have always had an awful reputation - my friend at an all girls used to do a bus share with them and the stories are just awful. And if the boys didn’t fit that mould they were bullied or ignored. Hopefully it is marginally better now!

My son went there and so did lots of my daughter’s friends. She is extremely confrontational on matters of sexism or bad male behaviour and she doesn’t think they’re worse than boys from other schools she’s met around the country.

The head is actually very popular. Parents say he cares about the boys, we never knew him as my son left before he arrived.

If he’s got rid of some unpleasant boys, good for him.

sorry for repeating myself, just didn't notice the text was posted already. but still i can't understand why the school prefers to ignore the problem and doesn't take any pains to change the situation. obviously, something is wrong with the Head

Because elsewhere you excuse jokes about racism and sexism. And I for one have zero tolerance for this.

Catch you later…I’m just off to have a fag and curse at my kids

@Lamplightlady Sorry, I couldn't understand your question, anyway,
I think, to accuse any child of racism and sexism is a sign of lack of mind! Unfortunately, in real life, children need protection much more than adults, so I will always and everywhere protect children as best I can.

@Lamplightlady Do you think those whom you mentioned are not worthy of jokes? I thought we had other agreements about who should not be joked about, I am lagging behind life.

@Lamplightlady
Stephen Lawrence’s killers were teenagers. Were the police that determined that the attack was racially motivated suffering “lack of mind”?

A little learning is a dangerous thing

Protection of children goes both ways, though, surely. There's protection of the individual and also of the group. Independent schools have to be permitted to decide what behaviours are acceptable and where to set the uncrossable lines. And if Abingdon or any other public school is seen to take a tolerant view of misogyny, rape culture and racism that sends a message to other pupils that these are not serious issues and can be indulged in consequence free. The same is true of violence, drug taking and bullying. Expelling a child from a leading public school does not spell the end of his/her education, so I'm not convinced the individual's protection in this case trumps that of the wider group. I can't believe the amount of shade being thrown at Abingdon School with apparently so little substance. I don't have DC at Abingdon but do have two teenage sons in a similar boarding school, and very much want the school to protect them from pernicious cultures and harmful behaviours, and to reinforce values of tolerance, respect and kindness. Adolescents will make mistakes, of course they will, but there are limits!

MCS.

I have personal experience and it's very good. The kids have a bit of a reputation for arrogance in Oxbridge but I think you get a bit of that in any high performing school. Good transport links in and out. Did very well during the pandemic in continuing teaching.

all this time I was not talking about tolerance, but about a professional approach

@Mariamans I think you are asking the wrong question. Not ‘what is the best school’ but ‘what school would be best for my child’.
Schools differ greatly. Some are academic, sporty, good for the arts, good for getting the best out of the average child, non selective etc.
If your child isn’t super bright, forget MCS. They won’t even get in. And if they do (ie heavily tutored) they may struggle with the pace, and this could mean a very unhappy child. Having said that-if capable, it is a lovely school and gets fantastic results.
Abingdon- a lot has been said but you should visit if you think it is suitable to get a feel.
The Oratory - great school for mixed abilities. Small intake from year 7. Happy children. Very sporty. Rugby powerhouse. Cricket and rowing big, as are racquet sports inc real tennis.Hockey big for girls also.
Pangbourne - strong military connections
Shiplake - I don’t really know about this school
Overall -do you think your child will thrive and be happy at one of these schools. If they are happy, academics etc tends to follow. Putting them in a high pressure environment if they are not up to it (and that’s no disrespect to the child) could make them very unhappy.
You will be paying a lot of money so you need to make sure the school is right for your child!