Extracts from the Good Schools Guide to Cothill House

"A traditional, full-boarding prep school where everyone is treated as an individual and pupils' feelings of security, achievement and self-worth are paramount. Boys work hard, learn to be independent and have fun – without growing up too fast. It's a very happy place to be.""

"The icing on the cake for most boys comes at the age of 11 or 12 when they all spend a term at the Chateau de Sauveterre near Toulouse. There, 800 miles from Cothill, they are totally immersed in French language and culture. An appreciative group of boys capture the experience perfectly in the school magazine: 'It is hard to even begin to count the memories that spring to mind when one says the word, Sauveterre. The sun, the rose-coloured bricks, the local people, the sweets and the food! We knew we had been a part of something special.'"

"All food is cooked in-house. There is considerable choice and pupils give it a huge thumbs-up. Staff eat with boys at breakfast and lunch, encouraging good table manners and intelligent conversation."

"Music and drama are terrific. All boys try out an instrument and there are more than 180 individual music lessons a week. Lots of music groups – choirs, orchestra, wind ensembles, jazz band and rock band too. A major drama production takes place once a year in the new school hall with telescopic seating."

"Art, pottery and DT are all very popular, with creations on display all over school. Woodwork is amazing".

"School fizzes with activity from dawn till dusk. When lessons end for day, boys rush off to play 40-40 or build dens in the woods."

"Weekends seem just as busy as weekdays, with lots of sport, clubs and outings to places like Blenheim Palace, Cotswold Wildlife Park and the climbing wall at Oxford Brookes. Boys use grounds to the full, building go-karts and whizzing around on scooters and skateboards. On Sunday mornings most go to church (alternative arrangements are made for non-C of E boys) and write letters home – fountain pens a must. Handwriting a strong point. The whole school recently won a national handwriting competition."