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Secondary education

Clifton College Vs Bedford School Vs Eastbourne College

8 replies

Wonderhow · 14/03/2013 17:15

What will you choose? Why? Any inside information? Thanks a lot!

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Mutteroo · 14/03/2013 22:10

They're geographically quite far apart!

Know nothing about Bedford, but unless you don't mind being woken up by wild animals, don't pick Clifton! I'm being flippant but some boarding houses overlook Bristol Zoo. Know of one pupil who went to Eastbourne and transferred to another Eastbourne school after a term.

Are there particular reasons why you are looking at these schools? maybe others who know more could then help further?

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Wonderhow · 15/03/2013 01:32

We come from overseas! My ds wants to study Y9 in 2013. We are too late to apply schools here in UK. My education agent said that they are the only schools still accept Y9 application.

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Dustylaw · 15/03/2013 02:16

I don't have any inside information (other than I knew someone at university who had boarded at Eastbourne and clearly done very well). However, I can assure you all three are well known, long-established schools with a good reputation and your son should enjoy himself and do very well at any of them. You might look at the fact that Bedford School is a big school with a smallish percentage of boarders - but that could be less important if your son is very keen on rowing (which Bedford is good at). You will also easily see that Bedford is a boys' school and the other two are now co-ed (as are most UK boarding schools now). Eastbourne is pretty evenly split between day and boarding and full on days so that could suit someone who is boarding. Here's a link to a poem written by Sir Henry Newbolt, one of Clifton College's famous old boys: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Newbolt. You may have been given few choices but they are not poor choices!

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Wonderhow · 15/03/2013 06:18

I try to search mumsnet and got not much information about Eastbourne and Bedford. Thank you for giving me some insight about the schools Dusty! Any ranking among these three? How about the safety of these three geographical location?

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crazymum53 · 15/03/2013 08:48

Clifton college has a good number of boarders and they have very good facilities and lots of activities planned for these students. Your son won't be bored and will have plenty of potential friends.
Bristol zoo is only very small and is mostly smaller animals so animal noises aren't really a problem!

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happygardening · 15/03/2013 09:12

The "nicest boy" at my DS's prep went to Eastbourne he was exceedingly musical. We know a couple of others who went there and talk well of it. I suspect more boarders than Clifton according to ISI report Clifton has about 300 "full" boarders out of approx 1300, no figures for Eastbourne as the report is too old but I believe Eastbourne is much more a boarding school with day children than a day school with boarders. So for me that would be the decider.
You need to understand the the ISI definition of "full" does not mean full boarding in that children are in all weekend.

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freerangelady · 15/03/2013 09:17

My brother went to Bedford school and I went to the girls equivalent. The two do a lot of joint extra curricular activities e.g drama.

It's a very good school and a good location. Only 36 mins to London on the fast train if needed.

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Wonderhow · 18/03/2013 13:08

Thank you guys for the great information!

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