Independent Secondary schools Berks,Bucks,Hampshire

[Banananutellapancake]

Hi everyone,
I have changed my name as this could out me, but I am a frequent poster.
DS is in year 4 and we are thinking ahead and looking at secondary school options.
He is academically bright, musical, loves sports- but not very good at any particular sport, so I’d say not very sporty 😀. He is shy and takes time to open up but is confident among known people & surroundings…He takes time to make friends and generally sticks to 1-2 close friends. We live in Berkshire and he goes to an independent school at the moment. He loves his school and is doing really well academically. We are thinking he will sit for the 11+ exam for the local grammar school, but are also looking at good independent secondary schools options in the nearby areas- Berks, Hampshire, Bucks etc.. We are open to moving, but won’t be considering London schools, so anywhere may be an hour from where we are.
So far, we have only shortlisted RGS Guildford as I have heard many good things, it is more academic and I feel like he will fit really well there. But I understand competition for entry is high. Can anyone recommend some other independent secondary schools, that focus more on academics, but is not a hothouse at the same time? He won’t be boarding, so preferably one with more day scholars. Did consider Leighton Park & Reading Bluecoat, but they are not at similar level as RGS in terms or academics / results. How about Lord Wandsworth and Luckley house? Any advice / suggestions will be much appreciated!
Thanks

Have a look at:
St Edward’s School - Co-educational boarding and day school (age 13-18)
ᐅ Private School in Berkshire ᐅ Reddam House Berkshire, Wokingham
Eaton Grange - Holme Grange School
-All achieve good results but have good pastoral care alongside it

Thank you @xmasdealhunter
I have heard mixed reviews about Reddam and Holme Grange. They are not selective are they? I'll do some more research. St Edward's looks good but it is 13+. He will have to move at 11+, so ideally looking for 11+ until college, but il will check it out. I saw that you removed Doverbroecks from your list. Any particular reason? Thanks again

Both Reddam and Holme Grange have assessment days (Reddam from yr 4 onwards and Holme from year 1 i believe). I meant to remove St Edward's rather than D'overbroecks for the 13+ reason, sorry! Holme and Reddam are worth a look in my opinion, though they are definitely very different schools. Holme's pastoral care is brilliant. D'overbroecks is a nice school too, not a hothouse but good results.

I also meant to add in Shiplake College | Independent day & boarding school in Oxfordshire, my brain is a sieve at the moment! It's again got a lovely inclusive ethos and good results

Amazing! I haven't looked into d'overbroaecks and Shiplake...I'll check them out. Thanks @xmasdealhunter
Thoughts on Magdalen College school? Is it highly Competitive and hothouse?

Thank you!

I read that RGS results have dropped over the past few years
There is an excellent indy in Wokingham Luckly House

Thanks @Moonshine5! I didn't know about that. I'll try and see if I can find out more about RgS results over the last few years. We are considering at Luckley house as well, but it sounded like it is not very academic, so looking to get some more info. Thanks

I don't know it as well as the others, but from what I've heard it's very pressured, although this seems to come from the boys' competitiveness rather than the school itself. Personally I'd go for the two you mentioned there over it.

Thanks again @xmasdealhunter... ya that's what I have read about Magdalane, but not directly from anyone who knows about the school. Shiplake looks very good. But wondering how academic it is. He is bright and we just want to ensure he is at the right place where he will flourish and will be challenged to work upto his potential

@Banananutellapancake Shiplake's pupils are middle to high ability in terms of academics, and if your son is bright they will work with that and push him to achieve the best he can. They've got some very very able students as well as some who are bright but more focused on sports/arts etc, so a good mix which avoids a hothouse.

That sounds great. I will definitely add Shiplake to our list and will try and find out more...

Hi, you mentioned RGS Guildford and Magdalen college. And you also said that you didn’t find results of Blue Coat and Leighton park good. Clearly, you are looking at very academic schools which get great results. All of them would be considered hothouse by many - mostly because the expectations are higher and that’s not suitable for every child. The other schools people mentioned earlier won’t meet your criteria. Abingdon school might be a good option to consider.