Co-Ed 7-18 schools in Kent / Surrey / Oxfordshire

[3kidslondonlife]

Hi there - first time poster 👋 we’re looking at schools in south west London - we have 3 x DCs and thinking of 7-18 co-ed schools. Our search has brought up Ibstock Place in Roehampton, St George’s in Weybridge and City of London Freemens in Ashstead - all seem very good schools by the looks of things -do any parents at these schools have strong views? Or any other recommendations? Pastoral care, culture, equality, diversity all important factors for us as well as the academics and sport .. really appreciate your thoughts thank you!

Yes sounds like a good list. Ibstock is going through a period of change at the moment with a new Leadership team being installed. You could add Claremont Fan in Esher to your list but it's very popular and not easy to get a prep school place, easier at the 11+/year 7 entry point.
What will strike you on your search is that there are many more options for girls than boys and the more academic schools are single sex so if you have a bright ds at Ibstock prep you will find the top of the prep class leave at the end of year 6 and go to Kings Wimbledon/Hampton etc (and the top girls will go to LEH/ Wimbledon High). You will also find in the preps there is tutoring outside school for Tiffin grammar schools from year 5 as the Tiffin entry process starts from beginning of year 6. As long as you are aware that not everyone in the prep will move to the senior school you will be fine. Sport is very good at St George's esp rugby.

Thanks for your note, the single-sex vs co-ed is an interesting conversation - we have 3 x ds and felt that a co-ed would be more beneficial in their overall development, but we’re always open to other opinions on that front. Very interesting thoughts on the exits of DCs onto the selective / academic secondary schools. We’re more likely to stay the course once the boys are.. logistics are also a factor for us! We will look at Claremont Fan as well - thank you for sharing your opinions

If you have 3 x ds you are more likely to stay all the way through because of the reduced options for ds at 11plus and because dd are thought to perform better in an all girls environment whilst ds perform well in coed.
Best of luck and do be aware some of the linked preps get full from year 5 onwards due to parents wanting to avoid 11plus so moving in "early".

Yes we did think on balance they would thrive better in a co-ed environment, it’s reassuring that’s your view too. Obviously each family is different but I sense that is our likely conclusion. Given how intense competition is in general for secondary school places in London, we did wonder if moving further out might reduce some of the pressure on them at 11+ .. but I think if we can get them into one of these good schools early it’ll achieve the same goal. We did read a couple of negative comments around CLFS with regard to culture and pastoral care: very difficult to know how much of this has been dealt with now, so I guess we’ll try and chat to a few parents over the coming weeks and get a sense from those ‘on the ground’

Personally I’d take anything said about any school on mumsnet with a pinch of salt. Personally I’ve had a fab experience with CLFS but clearly other parents have not. Best to go to open days, chat to teachers, ask the hard questions. We all think our child is perfect and our experience of a school is indicative of everyone’s. The one thing I would like to clarify about Freemen’s just because it’s a common misconception is it is not a hothouse and not every kid in there is super bright (~60% of those tested get the scores to get it at 7 and 11 most of admissions hinge on how teachable they think your child is.) There are children and there always have been children in their sixthform who get 5s at GCSE.

By teachable I mean within the context of the school and cohort.

Thanks for your note - yes I’m learning that mumsnet opinions can be wide and varied! We’ll take your advice on the open days .. hopefully a good way to sense check some of these unknowns and chat to the teachers. Our 3 kids have different strengths and abilities, finding a school that suits all of them is never going to be easy! Does anyone have experience with Magdalene College School in Oxford or Abingdon? We’re looking at them as well - curious if there’s any commentary around pastoral care there

Have you considered Radnor (Kneller)? Up until now it’s been 9-18yrs but with the Prep opening this week it would satisfy your need for 7-18 (I think this year it will be from
Year 1 upwards but will eventually open from
nursery). Our DD is at Radnor and we are very happy with it.

Hi there! No we hadn’t looked at Radnor - I didn’t realise the school starts at an earlier age which puts it on the radar for us now. Always helpful to be given new options! Our boys are relatively academic and very sporty so we’ll be sure to look at any school that’s ticks these boxes.. Thank you for the recommendation.