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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Oxfordshire/Wiltshire private school

24 replies

Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:21

I need to choose secondary options for my eldest this year and I am hoping to tap into some mumsnet wisdom on Oxfordshire/Wiltshire private schools.

My eldest is really bright, exceeding expectations at school, would be likely to pass entrance exams for most schools.

My youngest is equally bright (if not more so) but struggles a bit with behaviour and concentration at school caused by adhd - currently unmedicated but will likely be by the time he starts secondary. Very able but I would be concerned about whether he could pass very selective entrance exams.

The ideal school would be co-ed with a reasonably diverse intake both in terms of ability and ethnicity, background etc. It would have good results but plenty of extra curricular especially sports and arts. It would have a strong track record with SEND.

Im a single parent so I need both kids at the same school for logistical reasons. Its important to me that the school isn’t too “stuffy” - I wouldn’t want them to feel judged or to be the only ones who only live with mum. I wouldn’t want the kids to board but a school with flexible boarding would be appealing so they could stay the odd night if I’m away for work. Kids being able to get to/fro by themselves would be fabulous so a school with good transport or in a town would a big plus.

Which schools should I look at?

OP posts:
Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:23

Oh, and a school which also has younger children so that they could both move at the same time in years 5 and 7 would be amazing!

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2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 08:26

Warminster does all that.

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:29

Thank you so much - I’ll have a look now

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Garethkeenansstapler · 21/05/2023 08:31

Sorry you haven’t made it clear; are you relying on there being an entrance exam/bursary, or happy to send and pay full fees?

2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 08:31

Oxfordshire and Wiltshire covers a massive area, are you planning to move or do you need to narrow it down a bit?

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:33

Garethkeenansstapler · 21/05/2023 08:31

Sorry you haven’t made it clear; are you relying on there being an entrance exam/bursary, or happy to send and pay full fees?

Good point - should have included that! I’d happily accept a scholarship if offered but can afford to pay full fees. We wouldn’t qualify for a means tested bursary.

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Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:35

2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 08:31

Oxfordshire and Wiltshire covers a massive area, are you planning to move or do you need to narrow it down a bit?

I wouldn’t want to move. We’re along the border between the two counties but I don’t want to post exact location onto the internet.

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Moredarkchocolateplease · 21/05/2023 08:44

Dauntseys near Devizes.

Absolutely outstanding SEND.

Amazing extra curricular, excellent sports and also very very strong on drama and music.

2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 08:47

I was going to suggest Dauntseys, but it doesn't have a prep and OP wants the DC in the same place from Y5.

2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 08:51

Maybe Monkton Coombe?

It's not that easy to find co-ed 3-18 with boarding and prep on same site.

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:57

Thank you all - I really appreciate the suggestions and I’ll have a good look.

Although the pre prep on site would be amazing id definitely compromise on that for the right school.

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Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 08:58

2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 08:51

Maybe Monkton Coombe?

It's not that easy to find co-ed 3-18 with boarding and prep on same site.

Thank you- that looks like a really lovely school!

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Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 09:49

Has anyone got any suggestions around Swindon or Oxford and outskirts?

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Gloschick · 21/05/2023 10:01

I think you need to be more specific re area you live in. Swindon and Oxford are almost an hour away from each other and if you want DC to be able to have good transport links, we need to know roughly where you live.

Takeachance18 · 21/05/2023 11:04

The Oxford schools and Abingdon schools run joint bus services, so although not co-ed could be used to transport to single sex schools (co-ed is more limited to Oxford area for through schools/ seniors). I believe they both run from Swindon.

HonorHiding · 21/05/2023 11:24

Are they both boys?

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 14:34

Thanks everyone. Its one girl and one boy and they definitely need to be in the same coed school for logistics. Its not just the transport - as a full time working single parent it would just be too hard to have two completely separate schedules without any overlap on things like parents evenings etc.

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2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 15:05

I think you are going to struggle to find what you want in the area if you include the prep on site. If you forego that, maybe Teddies would suit.

2reefsin30knots · 21/05/2023 15:07

Actually, probably scratch that as it starts at 13 and I'm assuming you need Y7 next year. It's not an easy call!

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 15:14

Yes, I did look at Teddies but I’d prefer a year 7 start. I know that my list isn’t an easy ask and that I might not be able to tick every box.

I do like a couple of the Wiltshire schools suggested above so I’ll start with those for some research but am very open to more suggestions too if anyone has other ideas…

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NeverTrustAPoliceman · 21/05/2023 16:23

Cokethorpe used to tick all your boxes but that was years ago. Might be worth checking out?

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 16:30

Thanks @NeverTrustAPoliceman - that's one I already had on my list to visit actually. I don't think that they offer boarding as an option but that's definitely something I could flex on.

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Gloschick · 21/05/2023 20:00

Rendcomb, over the border in Gloucestershire ticks a lot of your boxes. Not sure if you live that side of the county though.

Original poster
Singlemum101 · 21/05/2023 20:20

Thank you, yes that could be feasible I think @Gloschick - I’ll have a look.

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