What the Good Schools Guide Says About Teddies

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ST EDWARD’S, OXFORD

Boarders Full-fat boarding if you want it: more than 80 per cent of pupils there for at least six nights a week, but there’s the option to go home for Saturday night, and lots do; 16 per cent from overseas. Shells in dorms of four, then pairs in years 10 and 11 and singles in sixth form. ‘Masses going on’ at weekends, everyone agrees; on any given Saturday there’ll be oodles staying for house dinner, say, or to see an ABBA tribute band headline the Olivier Hall (in fact, Swede Dreamz’s gig was open to families, too – there’s your reason to shortlist Teddies, if ever you need one). Everybody goes home, or to guardians/friends, for Leave Weekends – one per half term.

We’ve been so impressed with the HM, the matron, the pastoral care Officially, no such thing as the sporty house or the musical one. ‘They have quite individual characters, though,’ parents reckon – worth digging a bit on this when you come to decide. Relationship with the HM very important, though every parent we spoke to raved about theirs. Day pupils have a space in a boarding house with lots staying until 9pm on a weeknight – those that take advantage of everything that’s on offer come home to sleep and that’s about it. Most live very locally.