My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Education

Magdalen vs Abingdon vs Haberdashers

29 replies

Mumof3ds · 04/02/2014 10:28

Hi There,

I am new to UK. My son who is year 3 has offered a place (after assessments) in

  1. Magdalen college school, oxford
  2. Abingdon school, near oxford
  3. Haberdashers asks Boys schools, watford.


I have looked at many league tables and different analysis online,most of them shows different results. My son is academic, not that interested in sports.
Like any mum I wish to send him to the best place, and it would be great if some one could guide me choose the best decision for an academically well child. We are willing to relocate based on the selection.

many thanks,
OP posts:
Report
KathySeldon · 04/02/2014 11:55

for me - Abingdon.

Depends where you live though.

Report
Badgerlady · 04/02/2014 12:28

I grew up in Oxford. Magdalen boys had a terrible reputation for being very arrogant and unpleasant. One bright but sensitive friend of my DB went to Magdalen and was badly bullied.

However, this was at least 15 years ago and I imagine the school has changed now. It certainly had, and has, a stellar academic reputation.

Report
Mumofds · 04/02/2014 13:43

thank u for your thoughts.

Report
ballylee · 04/02/2014 14:16

I really don't think you can make a sweeping statement about a school from an impression over 5 years ago...it sounds too subjective. They are all good schools academically and since they pass that bar, forget the league tables for a minute, and focus on where you think your son will be best suited and the happiest based on his interests, personality and abilities. The best way is to visit of course and ask a bunch of questions to children and teachers and if you can meet some current parents.

Report
ballylee · 04/02/2014 14:17

over 15 years ago even!

Report
antille · 04/02/2014 14:32

We are torn between 1 and 2 on your list OP also. A lot of folk around here apply to both. Waiting to see if DS gets into either for 11+ from Oxford primary. If he gets into both, it's going to be a touch decision.

Report
antille · 04/02/2014 14:32

tough decision.

Report
claraschu · 04/02/2014 14:45

Magdalen is a little bit scruffy, in a good way. There is a nice mix of parents and children; it is not particularly rich and posh, and it feels more like a grammar school than a public school. There are no boarders at Magdalen, which gives a different atmosphere too. On the down side, the head is unusually pompous, teachers are often fantastic but they leave after only a few years, the school does so well that it is pretty "up itself".

If you want personal anecdotes and advice about specific departments, PM me-

Report
antille · 04/02/2014 14:47

Curious KathySeldon...why Abingdon...my impressions so far are if a bot turns out to be are brilliantly academic both M and A will do well by a boy, if not, then A may be better because it is more all rounded but he might struggle at M because of the academically pushier ethos?

But that's just an impression...not sure how accurate it is.

Report
antille · 04/02/2014 14:49

must admit...A wins on its facilities and campus

Report
Slipshodsibyl · 04/02/2014 14:53

Magdalen

Report
Hiphopopotamus · 04/02/2014 14:53

This won't help you at all, but just had to say that I saw this thread pop up in active convos, didn't see what section it was posted in, and had a horrifying second when I thought it was a baby names thread Grin

(Which if it was, my vote would be Haberdasher - I reckon he'd be the only one in his class...)

Report
Beastofburden · 04/02/2014 14:54

MCS changed an awful lot by the time DS went there, 2003 to 2010. I dont think you could call the boys arrogant now- there are other schools where that is said, but mainly the boarding/semi-boarding ones, where a lot of money congregates. I personally think that the current head is less strong than the one before him- the previous one was much better with the parents but apparently less good at keeping the teachers happy. Staff turnover is certainly right down on what it was.

Interesting that former MCS staff have gone on to be heads of Brighton College and Kings Wimbledon, both improving very fast. Actually, our local comprehensive (Cherwell) also has a former MCS teacher in charge and it is also improving a lot.

You get an excellent academic education there, especially science. The current head puts a lot of pressure on boys to participate in extra-curricular things; it is less easy than it was to be a contented nerd.

Report
antille · 04/02/2014 14:54

why though?

Report
antille · 04/02/2014 14:55

sorry aimed at slipshodsibyl

Report
Beastofburden · 04/02/2014 14:56

beware on saying Abingdon for facilities and campus- the OP is considering the junior schools (Y3), not the senior schools. Abingdon prep is in a little village quite a way from the main campus. MCS junior school is on the main MCS campus.

Report
MakesAMessWhenStressed · 04/02/2014 14:57

I've heard very good things about Abingdon. It sounds like it has a really nice ethos and atmosphere.

Have you asked on the local threads? You might find more Oxford parents see it...?
Oxford Mumsnet

Report
Beastofburden · 04/02/2014 15:02

Antille: I would say:

MCS for a boy who is naturally very clever, especially if he is scientific. They work very hard and very fast in senior school, not so much in junior school.

Abingdon for a boy who is academically sound but not brilliant, but wants to enjoy himself and do lots of sport and music, and might pick up a bit when he's older.

Abingdon is more traditionally posh and has richer parents knocking around, able to pay the full £30k whack. MCS is an ex-grammar/direct grant school, scruffy apart from the new bits, focussed on traditional subjects.

MCS does have an excellent arts festival and does a lot of music and drama, but the kids are much less likely to do music or art to A level- they will keep it as a hobby. Their parents are aiming for medical school and Oxbridge (over a third go to Oxbridge) so they only take "hard" A levels.

Report
LaVolcan · 04/02/2014 15:12

Abingdon (senior) school also had a period as a direct grammar school, and is predominantly day boys.

Don't know about the prep - it used to be called Josca's and is, as others say, in a village away from Abingdon.

Report
AmIIndecisive · 04/02/2014 15:23

Wow, that is amazing that your 3 year old has been offered a place at Habs Boys bearing in mind, it doesn't even start until age 5, your son must be a genius.

My vote goes for Habs!

Report
AmIIndecisive · 04/02/2014 15:24

Sorry totally misread post - year 3 - still say Habs!

Report
Slipshodsibyl · 04/02/2014 15:25

Op said Year three, not three years old.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Beastofburden · 04/02/2014 15:35

OP isnt really choosing between MCS, Abingdon and Habs- she is choosing between MCS junior school, Joscas as was, and Habs junior boys.

Joscas is I am sure lovely, but hard to get to in a morning if you also have to get to work. And when it was Joscas, not known for being all that academic. MCS junior would allow him to choose between the senior schools later on, and its easier to get to. Its the same campus as MCS main school and shares a lot of the facilities.

Is Habs boys the same school all the way through? that would be a factor- but I know nothing about Habs except what we can all see from the league tables.

Report
Mumofds · 04/02/2014 15:40

Smile thank you all. yes DS is in Year 3 aged 7 years old

Report
KathySeldon · 04/02/2014 16:18

Well it depends on the child of course. My feelings are that Ab will give you a more rounded experience in a more country setting. My friend jokes that her city boys at MCS are no match on the sports fields for Abs country boys fed on fresh air. That of course is a joke, but it kind of sums things up.
Some Joscas (Ab prep) boys go on to MCS senior school either for logistical reasons, or the higher academic reputation. My friend reckons MCS has more than its fair share of highly intelligent but slightly odd characters. I don't know. Both prep schools do not guarantee entry into senior school.
I really like Ab prep. It worked wonders for my ds.
Both excellent schools, just visit both and go with your feelings I reckon.
Hth.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.