Summer Fields School

Our View

Founded in 1864 and set in 72 acres in highly sought-after North Oxford. Grounds are stunning – elegantly manicured lawns and playing fields stretching towards the river as far as the eye can see. Setting is so delightfully rural that it's hard to believe that the dreaming spires are only a few minutes away. The large bow-fronted main building houses some classrooms and adjoins fantastic sports complex with three squash courts, fives courts, climbing wall, 22-metre indoor swimming pool (there's an outdoor one too), light and airy art department (complete with fabulous giant dinosaur made from computer packaging) and pottery and DT workshops. The boys say there's so much to do that they never get bored – no wonder.

Interactive whiteboards and computers everywhere. Boys are allowed to email during their free time. Internet access available subject to certain restrictions. Max class size 17, 'invisible' setting almost from the start (scholarship form and streaming for last two years) and one-to-one learning support available. All but very youngest boys taught by subject specialists. Latin for all and the scholarship group does Greek too. Pupils also get opportunity to practise their French during ten-day visit to chateau near Avranches in Normandy in their third year, followed by a two-week trip in their fourth. Two recently refurbished science labs and boys keen to get involved in scientific projects at weekends – everything from brewing lavender essential oil to building rockets when we visited. Well-stocked library and boys encouraged to read widely.

Drama and music strong. Plays and musicals performed in terrific theatre conversion – performances range from The Taming of the Shrew to Little Shop of Horrors. Around 85 per cent of boys learn a musical instrument. Orchestras, three choirs – senior choir performs all over, from Westminster Cathedral to Oxford's Keble College, and there have been recent trips to France, Germany, Italy, even New York. Sport is a vital feature of school and, in an age when many parents worry about their children's lack of exercise, Summer Fields' boys do games most days. Everything from rugby, football, hockey and cricket to cross-country, golf (the school has its own nine-hole golf course) and sailing. Lots of silverware on display for sporting feats. Masses of activities on offer – from chess to the Adventure Quest programme of camping, adventure activities and leadership training. 'You name it, it's there and the boys do it full throttle,' a parent told us last time round – and it's still the case.

Boarders assigned to one of seven lodges, arranged 'horizontally' according to age. Each lodge is run by lodge parents, a husband and wife team (many with young families of their own) with lots of experience of the particular age group they're looking after – whether they are eight-year-olds getting used to being away from home for the first time or older boys revising for exams. Lodges are wholesome, homely and welcoming. Boys don't take schoolwork or prep back to their lodges at night – 'it's their down-time,' says head's wife. 'They play, wind down, drink hot chocolate and get into their pyjamas.' Cosy dorms, with brightly-coloured duvets, lots of teddies, Tintin and Asterix books, Jenga towers, marble runs, remote control cars etc and between three and 11 boys to a room. Each boy has his own bedside light and everyone reads for at least 15 minutes before lights out.

School prides itself on having 'three layers of care'. Each boy has lodge parents, a tutor (who usually stays with him throughout his time at Summer Fields) and a form teacher, all of whom work closely together. Contact with home not encouraged for first ten days while new boys find their feet (lodge parents thoughtfully make regular phone calls to update parents on how their sons are settling in though) but after that boys get phone cards, send emails, write weekly letters home and go out with their parents on a regular basis. Senior boys are allowed into nearby Summertown – but only in small groups. Boys are well-behaved and discipline isn't an issue. 'We set very clear guidelines and make sure the parameters are in place,' says head. His words borne out by one of the oldest boys, who told us, 'there's a good atmosphere here and I really enjoy it. In the summer holidays I was looking forward to coming back to school!' Prefect system – six prefects on tenterhooks when we visited, waiting to hear who would be chosen to be head boy. Lovely chapel with impressive stained glass – services three times a week and on Sundays (when parents can attend too.) Huge dining room – lined with portraits of the great and the good, including former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, a Summer Fields old boy and grandfather of the headmaster-elect! Food committee (called Guzzlers – very appropriate!) means boys have their say on school meals and food gets the thumbs-up. There's also a school shop called Buzzer, which sells toys, stationery etc.

Boys are polite, jolly and purposeful as they scurry round the school in their smart Guernseys and polo-shirts. For parents looking for an all-boys' full-boarding prep (albeit with a handful of day pupils) Summer Fields is hard to beat. A happy place which fizzes with fun and activity while achieving fine academic results.

Headmaster

Since 1997, Mr Robin Badham-Thornhill BA PGCE. Educated at Cheam and Cheltenham College, followed by Exeter University, where he read economics, politics and history and then did a PGCE. Previously taught at King's School, Bruton and Cheltenham and was head at Lambrook. Known to pupils, parents and staff alike as Mr B-T, he was the first head appointed from outside the school. Enthusiastic, energetic and twinkly, he teaches eight periods a week – RS to the youngest boys and history to older pupils – and says, 'this is a very special job and I love it'. Married to charming wife Angela, who teaches history part-time at Summer Fields and is very involved in all aspects of the school. They have two grown-up daughters and, like all Summer Fields teachers, they live on-site.

Head denies the school is an academic hothouse and reiterates his view that, 'a third of our boys are very bright and capable and two-thirds are average, lovely boys who are taught well'. School prides itself on producing 'well-balanced boys who are keen to do well in the classroom, whatever their ability, and are confident, but not arrogant'. Both B-Ts bridle when the expression 'sent to boarding school' is used in the press. 'I hate that phrase,' says Mr B-T. 'What we provide here is a happy, fun place where boys can be with friends of the same age. They are taught well and get a huge variety of things to do, from outdoor pursuits like camping and canoeing to academic work.'

Retiring July 2010. The new head is to be Mr David Faber MA – a former pupil, parent and governor of the school. He has published two history books, served as MP for Westbury (1992-2001) and as a non-executive director on a number of boards. He is also on the committee of the MCC. Married with two young daughters and a teenage son who went from Summer Fields onto Eton.

An unusual appointment but an interesting one.

Entrance

Names down early. Boys come for assessment two terms before they are due to start but Mr B-T says report from head of previous school is 'the key thing'. School has traditionally been viewed as upper-class place but more of a mix than before and head says 'we attract a very great cross-section of people'. Around 40 per cent of boys are from London but others from Gloucestershire, Hampshire, East Anglia, Scotland, and up to 15 from abroad. No flexi or weekly-boarding but small number of day boys, mostly from Oxford, including a 7+ day entry class introduced in 2006. School very accommodating to busy working parents – one day boy arrives at 7.15 every morning to join boarders for breakfast. Range of academic and music scholarships on offer, including the Maclaren Foundation scholarship, offered to a boy of 'outstanding ability' starting in year 6 or 7 whose parents could not otherwise afford the fees. About ten per cent of pupils are sons of Old Boys.

Exit

School 'very proud' of its links with Eton and is one of its main feeders, with up to 40 per cent heading there each year. Lots to Harrow, Radley and Winchester too, though, and a smattering to other schools – Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Stowe, etc. More than 40 scholarships and awards won in the last five years – details proudly framed along school corridor. The 2009 leavers secured some of the greatest scholarship results in recent years with eight awards in total: six to Eton, one to Shrewsbury and one to Winchester.