Why the Waleses are considering £47k-a-year ‘down-to-earth’ school ‘Teddies’ for George – as Kate shuns ‘flashy’ option
PRINCE George is still in junior school – but all eyes are on where the future king, 10, will go for the rest of his education.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be considering a £47,000-a-year Oxford school for their son after ‘disagreeing’ over sending him to Eton.
The royal couple are said to have looked around the elite St Edward’s School, also known as “Teddies” – which boasts Oppenheimer actress Florence Pugh as an alumna.
According to the Daily Mail, the boarding and day school – which gives pupils aged 13 to 18 the chance to try their hand at screenwriting and beekeeping – has caught the eye of Prince William and Kate Middleton .
Richard Eden wrote: “’They’ve been to have a look,’ a Teddies grandee tells me.”
But why could it be the perfect frontrunner for the young prince?
Close to home
The private school could be an ideal choice for the royal family-of-five, and location is one of the reasons.
Teddies is situated around a one-hour drive from their home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Prince William and Kate uprooted Prince George, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, during the summer of 2022 for a more rural life.
Currently it’s easy for their current school run, as it’s a nine-mile drive to Ascot where the kids attend the £7,000-a-term Lambrook School.
Charlotte can go too
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to have considered several schools for their eldest son including Prince William’s former school, the elite single-sex Eton College.
However, Teddies is co-educational, which means Princess Charlotte would be able to attend with Prince George – and younger brother Prince Louis if he goes too.
It’s believed the mum-of-three isn’t keen on same-sex schools such as Eton because she reportedly “absolutely hated” her time at Downe House, an all-girls boarding school in Berkshire, where she was allegedly bullied.
Both Prince William and his brother Prince Harry attended Eton College, which costs £15,432 a term, breaking royal tradition because senior royals had previously attended Gordonstoun in north-east Scotland.
Royal ethos
Teddies is said to channel values that are at the core of the royals’ ethos, including community and service.
Headmaster Alastair Chirnside writes on the website: “There must be opportunity for all to take part and for all to excel.
“Children’s happiness and their ability to recognise what will make them happy are more important than anything else.
“Teachers need not only to impart knowledge and to teach skills, but also to allow children to be themselves.”
How do the schools vying for Prince George compare?
Teddies – St Edward’s
£15,660 per term
Eton College
£16,666 per term
Marlborough College
£15,665 per term
Oundle School
£11,505 per term
Other options
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also spotted taking a tour of Kate’s old mixed-sex private school in Wilshire, Marlborough College, twice in two months, leading to speculation that they may be sending Prince George there rather than all-boys school Eton College.
Kate went to the exclusive Marlborough College between 1996 and 2000 – but reports say the couple may be feeling it is now “too flashy.”
Another front runner – alongside Eton – is said to be Oundle School in north Northamptonshire, The Mail on Sunday reported.
Sending George to Oundle would allow both his siblings to join their brother at the same school.