Taunton V Sherborne

[will2power]

Has anybody any views on these schools?

Pros & cons?

Good & bad?

[will2power]

Bump

[sailorsgal]

I have no direct experience but I met two lovely boys who are going to Sherborne in september and a friend's son is going next year. I did nanny for two boys who also went there and turned out very well. They were from a very wealhy family and I wonder if it is fairly posh.

[Tanith]

One of DS's old school friends is at Sherborne and is loving it.

[will2power]

Thanks guys.

Any ideas on Taunton School?

[almapudden]

Taunton is less well-known than Sherborne and I get the impression it's not quite so 'posh', whatever that means.

[Sleepyhoglet]

Taunton is a lovely school but I only really have experience of the prep side. Can't go wrong with either really.

[grovel]

Two good schools. I think Taunton is a more "local" school with kids from the West Country. Sherborne will have a bigger intake from across the country (but still loads from Dorset etc).

[will2power]

What about academics?

Sport?

Are either better than the other?

[will2power]

Is either...

Thanks for the information.

[Sleepyhoglet]

Where are you planning on living? Do you intend your child to board? Have you looked round them? I think it needs to be a personal choice as both are good.

[Sleepyhoglet]

Both are near rail station so easy for transport

[will2power]

Will decide on where to live once school is settled but at the moment I'm thinking Bridport or Beaminster.

Full boarding.

Have looked at Sherborne but want to keep options open. I think he could get into either school.

Just wanted others' opinions on strengths and weaknesses.

Rail stations is good news but different lines no?

[IndridCold]

Around 12 boys from DS's year at prep school (in Devon) went to Sherborne, and are all very happy with it. I know that the previous head worked hard to raise the academic profile and it has a good reputation.

We looked around and really liked it, the houses are quite small, pastoral care seemed very good, and I understand that the new head actively discourages boys from going home every weekend, so it would definitely be good for full boarding.

I know nothing about Taunton, but I understand that quite a few pupils are day pupils. I think you would need to check what happens at weekends if you are wanting your DS to be happy there and be kept busy at weekends.

[will2power]

He's a boy that needs stuff going on all the time and I had that feeling about Taunton too. Wouldn't want him left alone at the w/end.

Are you opting for Sherborne Indrid?

[goinggetstough]

Do check the numbers full boarding. I presume you are talking about Taunton school, as there is also Kings Taunton and Queens Taunton too. The first two have 270+ boarders and Queens has only 197. I have had friends at all of them and it was only at Queen's that my friends didn't have a great experience as boarders. Meetings etc weren't scheduled with boarder's parents in mind and one year the Christmas concert was the day before the end of term. Not very useful if your DC is a full boarder and you live a fair distance away. All three of them have boarding described as full and weekly so do check the exact numbers of each and what each school means by full boarding.
Sherborne is mainly a full boarding school.

[will2power]

Thank you going.

Yes Taunton School.

You mean check in terms of ratios?

Really like Sherborne but Taunton seems so lively and so much innovation too.

[Sleepyhoglet]

I think Taunton is good for boarding but agree that it might have less full boarders than sherbourne. However it does still have sat school and sport etc at the weekends. The prep school boarding was top notch and this was the area I have experience of. Activities every weekends and trips out. The food was also very good. Taunton has such a great friendly atmosphere. However because I know little about sherbourne I an probably biased. The train lines are different but both good. I would let your ds do taster days at both. Perhaps even ask if he can do a boarding taster night.

[IndridCold]

We did choose Sherborne, OP, and always thought of it as our first choice. However, our rather wild stab at trying for Eton was ultimately successful so DS went there instead.

[CiderwithBuda]

DS is at Taunton. Just about to go into year 9.

Head is very wedded to Saturday school particularly now that kings and queens are changing their approach. He is particularly keen on boarders being occupied at weekends.

Pm me if you have any particular questions.

[mateysmum]

My ds is also at Taunton as a senior day boy. Although half the senior school are day pupils, all the boarders stay at weekends, there is no weekly boarding. So there is plenty going on at weekends and as Cider says there is Saturday school, plus matches Saturday afternoon, so your son would not be alone or lonely.

I have a friend with 3 kids at Sherborne as day pupils. I think it is a bit posher than Taunton. Taunton is very unpretentious with mostly middle class kids and very few poshies. The head is ambitious.

Both are good schools and really it's best to just visit and see which feels right for you and your Ds.

PM me if you want specifics.

waves at Cider

[CiderwithBuda]

Hi mateysmum!

[will2power]

Oh thank you all SO much!

That's wonderful of you all and very helpful.

[grovel]

Lucky you, moving to Bridport/Beaminster. My favourite part of the country. I just love the top of Eggardon Hill.

[grovel]

Sherborne is 5 miles closer to Bridport than Taunton is. That should settle it!

[sailorsgal]

Sherborne is a lovely little town. I do like the quirkiness of Bridport though and a decent Waitrose.