Headington, Pangbourne College, Dauntsey’s, Oundle

[jugglingballsallthetime]

Hi there

Would be grateful if anyone with dd at these schools could let me know their honest views….feel free to dm if you have time or better for you.

I know they are very different -city vs country, single sex vs co-Ed etc but wondering whether Headington has the pastoral support that Pangbourne might have/is it a kind environment? Is there a lot of pressure put on the girls or not too bad? Are you happy with it? Have heard some horror stories about eating disorders but suspect these are everywhere.

Wondering if PC supports able children enough to get them where they need to go? Again, is it kind? Are you happy with it?

Thanks so much. Need to make decisions on where to apply soon….

Also considering Dauntsey’s and Oundle.. so any intel gratefully received- all as day options!

At the end of the day, we obs want our dd to be in an environment she will be happy and thrives ;))

I don't know Dauntsey's or Oundle so can't help there. If you want kindness and pastoral care then in my view Pangbourne is second to none in that respect. Yes they do support high achievers and we have direct experience of that. Also higher numbers now getting top grades and entering top Unis. The low League table posn is due to v wide intake. It does help if the DC is self motivated particularly lower down the school. Also it's a busy school life and lots of extra curricular commitments so it also helps if they're a student who wants to take advantage of those (work hard play hard maybe?) At A level though the small classes and dedicated teachers and tutors mean it's almost a personal programme to help them get to where they want to be, whatever that is.

No direct experience of Headington but we looked at it for sixth form and didn't take to it, although I can't quite put my finger on why. Heard mixed reviews too from parents.

This is so helpful, thank you. We don’t know anyone who has kids there so great to get an honest view. Seeing it again next week with my daughter and looking forward to it ;)

Good luck with the search

I recently attended a hockey match where my daughter's school played against Pangbourne, and I must say, I was utterly appalled by the behaviour of the Pangbourne girls. The level of brutality and aggression was completely unwarranted, and the language used throughout the game was truly shocking. Both my daughter and her team were left in disbelief at what they witnessed.

What made the situation even worse was the conduct of the coach, who seemed to encourage this unacceptable behaviour. It was deeply disturbing, and I have never encountered such a blatant disregard for sportsmanship. I am immensely grateful that my daughter does not attend this school.

I live in Oundle and, although my own children didn't go there (I could never have afforded it!) it is a fantastic school! It's a small village and the school is very much part of the community. The children are incredibly well behaved and respectful within the village. I'm also a teacher (state, primary) and have attended collaborative meetings there...I'd highly recommend from what I know.

Thanks for this-great to get a variety of feedback!

Lovely to hear-thank you :)

Hi - Went to Oundle. From your selection of schools, Oundle quite different from the others.

It is basically a Full boarding school. Day students have to fit into a boarding school rhythm. So expect them to be in school most days (inc Sunday if your child sings in choir).

It is primarily full boarders (850 or so) so your child will have friends from kent to the cairngorms and America to Asia (think its just under 20% international students).

It is a very good school and with it being nearly the size of Eton, it has this dynamism and scope of opportunity which is quite unmatched. You can row, look after bees, play rugby, be in photography club. Another plus is that there isn't like a type of Oundle person. No group dominates, it doesnt really have like "a popular" group. Everyone just does what they like and people dont really judge.

Academically very very strong, not very selective but there is an "academic atmosphere" which everyone regardless of abillity subscribes to, the top sets "set the tone" I'd say. It will make your child work.

TBH I think I regret not being a day student at Oundle. I lived 20 mins away and especially in 6th form would have loved it.

If I had to give negatives,

• I think the school are pretty bad at post oundle help.
• Terrible at supporting creatives, especially after Oundle, too many forced into russell group academic routes that should have gone to RADA or music school.
• Could improve on inter school socials, academic competitions with schools like Westminster and Wycombe abbey, more of its vibe in a way.
• Poor america and Non uk university encouragement and provision.
• Food is crap because everyone eats as a house so its way more expensive and food quality suffers. But I think eating as a house much more civilised.
• New head is leaving so will be irrelevant. Think she was good on a pastoral front and improving the energy of Oundle, student body appears happier and friendlier, but on an academic and teacher body front she wasn't popular from what I hear, many teachers left that were very good for the school. The grades at the school were also stalling although this year they seem to have shot back up to normal. She is also strict and removed a bit of the fun of Oundle.

Hope useful.

So much good and detailed info/balanced view-thank you.

New head of school is coming from Lancing college; he is amazing