Marlborough vs Rugby vs Oakham Sixth Form

Cfs1668 · 2022-07-21T08:55:49+00:00

Which school would you pick out of these three? I quite like the Rugby School but it seems not easy to get in and isn't much information or video for there Boarding House ( boy), Is there any parents can share to me? Thanks.

TizerorFizz · 21/07/2022 23:10

Nor is Marlborough east to get into. Uppingham, Oakham and Stowe are easier or St Edwards, Oxford.,

easternenergizer · 26/07/2022 15:20

Marlborough, Rugby, Oakham, in that order. I would look at Uppingham as good and easier to get into than the first two. Also Bradfield.

Oakham boarding situation is v different to the others. There aren't many full boarders, lots of weekly, flexi and day. On paper not as good as the first two either.

Original poster

Cfs1668 · 26/07/2022 17:18

easternenergizer · 26/07/2022 15:20

Marlborough, Rugby, Oakham, in that order. I would look at Uppingham as good and easier to get into than the first two. Also Bradfield.

Oakham boarding situation is v different to the others. There aren't many full boarders, lots of weekly, flexi and day. On paper not as good as the first two either.

@easternenergizer thanks ! I will consider Uppingham and Rugby than. Do you know more details about Uppingham and Rugby’s boarding?

OP posts:

Lovelearnandhavefun · 26/07/2022 23:36

You’ve posted several times on mumsnet about Oakham not having many full boarders which is factually incorrect. There are over 500 boarders at the school and the majority of them (over 300) are full boarders. The school also have 500 day pupils and has always prided itself on the balance between day and boarding (day pupils embrace the ethos of the boarding community but ensure that the school is rooted in the local area). It isn’t a negative in any way. It’s also a genuinely coeducational school with 50:50 split of girls to boys. On paper it’s a great option for many families…

Original poster

Cfs1668 · 27/07/2022 03:00

Lovelearnandhavefun · 26/07/2022 23:36

You’ve posted several times on mumsnet about Oakham not having many full boarders which is factually incorrect. There are over 500 boarders at the school and the majority of them (over 300) are full boarders. The school also have 500 day pupils and has always prided itself on the balance between day and boarding (day pupils embrace the ethos of the boarding community but ensure that the school is rooted in the local area). It isn’t a negative in any way. It’s also a genuinely coeducational school with 50:50 split of girls to boys. On paper it’s a great option for many families…

@Lovelearnandhavefun Thanks for the details. We decide not to consider Oakham anymore because of the entrance exam same as other.

OP posts:

easternenergizer · 27/07/2022 07:09

Lovelearnandhavefun · 26/07/2022 23:36

You’ve posted several times on mumsnet about Oakham not having many full boarders which is factually incorrect. There are over 500 boarders at the school and the majority of them (over 300) are full boarders. The school also have 500 day pupils and has always prided itself on the balance between day and boarding (day pupils embrace the ethos of the boarding community but ensure that the school is rooted in the local area). It isn’t a negative in any way. It’s also a genuinely coeducational school with 50:50 split of girls to boys. On paper it’s a great option for many families…

Thank you for quantifying this in figures.
Whilst obviously a significant amount of boarders, 300 does not count to half of the school population. I say this as I knew someone who full boarded at Oakham who left for sixth form. She lived abroad and found that the weekends when the weekly boarders left their house were lonely and wished she had gone somewhere that was majority full boarding as she would have had a better and more engaging boarding experience during the weekends. And I only said about paper because it isn’t as high achieving as Rugby and Marlborough in terms of exams. However I know, as you say, this isn’t an issue for some families and it is a great school for some students. I was just trying to give an honest opinion.

Lovelearnandhavefun · 27/07/2022 08:10

300+ full boarders plus 200+ weekly boarders does equate to half of the school’s population boarding. It’s also worth noting that all pupils (day, weekly and full boarding) attend lessons on Saturday mornings and that there are competitive games fixtures on Saturday afternoons against other schools. Day families are very much choosing for their child to be part of a boarding school even if their child doesn’t sleep there.

Exam league tables only give one measure of success. They have their limitations too - not all include IB results for instance which can skew the data if a school (like Oakham) offers the IB alongside A levels.

Opinions are only really helpful when they’re factually accurate.

leftandaright · 27/07/2022 22:52

Just spoken to current oakham boarder. Lots of supposed full boarders go home at weekends or to friends’ houses. Oakham has a flexible policy to weekends compared to fixed boarding schools like Uppingham, Rugby and Oundle that are in the same geographic area. You can spout figures disseminated from the admissions office but the reality is, no one considers Oakham to be a full boarding school because it isn’t. I’d go as far to say it’s more day and flexi boarding with not even huge amounts of proper weekly boarders let alone full. Oakham is a lovely school. An all rounder school that is neither a full boarding school or considered academic. My friend who is there is doing btecs not a levels as do several of their friends. Academic schools wouldn’t even offer btecs. Definitely an allcomers school but not to be recommended for those looking for a full boarding environment (where every member of the boarding house stays in every weekend) or particularly academic. This doesn’t preclude full boarders or academic types doing well of course.

TizerorFizz · 28/07/2022 00:08

You need to decide if DS wants a town school or one not near very much. Oakham, Stowe snd Uppingham are fairly remote. Rugby and Marlborough are the best two. DS doesn’t want to be stuck somewhere with not enough to do.

Original poster

Cfs1668 · 28/07/2022 02:55

leftandaright · 27/07/2022 22:52

Just spoken to current oakham boarder. Lots of supposed full boarders go home at weekends or to friends’ houses. Oakham has a flexible policy to weekends compared to fixed boarding schools like Uppingham, Rugby and Oundle that are in the same geographic area. You can spout figures disseminated from the admissions office but the reality is, no one considers Oakham to be a full boarding school because it isn’t. I’d go as far to say it’s more day and flexi boarding with not even huge amounts of proper weekly boarders let alone full. Oakham is a lovely school. An all rounder school that is neither a full boarding school or considered academic. My friend who is there is doing btecs not a levels as do several of their friends. Academic schools wouldn’t even offer btecs. Definitely an allcomers school but not to be recommended for those looking for a full boarding environment (where every member of the boarding house stays in every weekend) or particularly academic. This doesn’t preclude full boarders or academic types doing well of course.

Thank you very much for the details.

OP posts:

youonlyliveonce00 · 28/07/2022 16:06

I'm really surprised that some of this content is allowed. Spouting hearsay and views that are seemingly personal opinions, and not facts obtained from the school is not helpful. The cynic in me wonders who might be posting.....

However, as the Mum of a DC who spent 7 very happy and successful years at Oakham as a full-boarder (yes, UK based and stayed for the weekends), I would suggest that Oakham is well worth a visit. DC is academic and is now studying medicine having taken the IB Diploma and achieved the equivalent of at least 3 x A*s. It is, therefore, not accurate to say that Oakham does not have good academic credentials. What it does offer is a wider range of options for pupils to choose from, which makes it more likely that they will find a path that is well suited to them.

What is also clear, is that having left Oakham some years ago, the friends DC made at Oakham will be friends for life. A really great group of well-rounded individuals.

IMHO the only way to find a school that is right for your DS is to go and visit, talk to the pupils and staff and get a sense of whether your DS will fit in and achieve his potential. I hope that wherever you choose, he will be really happy

beeblah · 28/07/2022 16:41

youonlyliveonce00 · 28/07/2022 16:06

I'm really surprised that some of this content is allowed. Spouting hearsay and views that are seemingly personal opinions, and not facts obtained from the school is not helpful. The cynic in me wonders who might be posting.....

However, as the Mum of a DC who spent 7 very happy and successful years at Oakham as a full-boarder (yes, UK based and stayed for the weekends), I would suggest that Oakham is well worth a visit. DC is academic and is now studying medicine having taken the IB Diploma and achieved the equivalent of at least 3 x A*s. It is, therefore, not accurate to say that Oakham does not have good academic credentials. What it does offer is a wider range of options for pupils to choose from, which makes it more likely that they will find a path that is well suited to them.

What is also clear, is that having left Oakham some years ago, the friends DC made at Oakham will be friends for life. A really great group of well-rounded individuals.

IMHO the only way to find a school that is right for your DS is to go and visit, talk to the pupils and staff and get a sense of whether your DS will fit in and achieve his potential. I hope that wherever you choose, he will be really happy

Thanks can u share more re Oakham? My daughter will be starting as a full boarder there in September as Y10. She thought the entrance exams were hard and we're a little worried. We don't know anyone there and, well, how were the teachers? State of the dorm rooms? My daughter is shy and i'm starting to worry. Would love to hear more sharing 😬
And what activity did your DC choose? CCF? I worry is too much so am encouraging her to volunteer...

leftandaright · 28/07/2022 21:02

your dd will have a great time at Oakham. There are people there not bright enough to tackle a levels so don’t worry that she won’t find her level academically. They have all types from Oxbridge to btecs.
can’t help on dorm rooms but there aren’t many uk dorms in any schools that are renowned for being luxurious. Functional is a more oft used word . Take decorations and fairy lights to cheer up her bed area.

beeblah · 29/07/2022 06:00

leftandaright · 28/07/2022 21:02

your dd will have a great time at Oakham. There are people there not bright enough to tackle a levels so don’t worry that she won’t find her level academically. They have all types from Oxbridge to btecs.
can’t help on dorm rooms but there aren’t many uk dorms in any schools that are renowned for being luxurious. Functional is a more oft used word . Take decorations and fairy lights to cheer up her bed area.

Thank you leftright

MrZogsSexWax · 09/09/2022 21:49

Oakham Mum here.

The houses are divided into Full Boarding, Flexi or Day. If your DC is put in a full boarding house then the children will not go home at the weekends.

Having said that, the segregated House system ends at the end of Form 6 / Yr 12 then all the boys go to School House for Form 7 and all the girls go to Round House where all the day and boarding pupils are put together.