A delightful breath of fresh air, Papplewick offers its boys a joyous, rural education despite being only 45 minutes from London. Charming Head, Tom Bunbury, is an excellent communicator who, along with his wife Sallie, has a wonderful connection with parents, pupils and staff. Together, the Bunburys have created a ‘boy heaven’: pupils share their school with snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, and frogs (unfazed visitors are presented with a bravery badge) and science lessons are sometimes taken in the swimming pool – where better to learn how sound travels? All the fun and games produce stellar results: the boys secure places at Harrow, Eton and St. Edward’s with a wealth of scholarships. And who could forget the sport? There are nearly a 1000 fixtures per year (most boys compete twice a week) and football is leading the field under former pro John Nutter.