Intelligent non sporty boy- what school?

[Conundrumish]

Which independent school would you send a very bright, sensitive, non-sporty boy to in the Wiltshire/Somerset/Bristol/Dorset area?

Many thanks

[FrumpyintheFrost]

If you wanted a state school then I would recommend either Malmesbury or St Augustine's which are both in Wiltshire.

But for Independent - sorry no recommendations

[PercyPigPie]

Thanks Frumpy. Malmesbury rather than Sheldon? We are not Catholic, so I don't think we would get into St Augustine's, though I have heard it is very good.

[FrumpyintheFrost]

My friends daughter goes to Malmesbury and is very shy and only really works well with people she knows and trusts. She has settled in wonderfully, and her parents are full of praise for the school - huge transition from a tiny village primary.

The only reason I didnt mention Sheldon is because I know it has a great reputation but I dont know anyone who goes there.

Plus Malmesbury is way nicer than Chippenham

[scaryteacher]

Canford?

[PercyPigPie]

Scaryteacher - what is Canford like? I like it from the website. I couldn't see whether they have Saturday school though (not a great fan of Saturday school or would really consider Dauntseys).

Frumpy - Yes, t'would be lovely to plonk Sheldon down in the middle of Malmesbury (though I understand you can only get into Sheldon from the villages and they are all quite nice around there).

[swingingcat]

There is a small ind' school near Yeovilton non selective.
Sorry can't remember name, the headteacher is ex Millfield and the school has good results.

[PercyPigPie]

Thanks Swinging cat

[onadifferentplanettoday]

I have a ds very similar to what you describe. He was awarded a full bursary to a very good independent with an excellent sporting reputation but also excellent academic results and I was a bit worried that he would find being not sporty a problem,but in fact it has given him the opportunity to try out some less common sports and he now represents the school in this sport and his house in another. Don't dismiss a school that has what you want academically because of the sport he is unlikely to be the only one who doesn't want to spend every weekend playing rugby or cricket.

[scaryteacher]

Canford has afaik good results, and cares for the whole child. If you are not sporty per se there is the opportunity to do canoeing and sailing, and the drama there looks fantastic.

If we hadn't had a second foreign posting, I would have been looking at Canford for ds. I have been happily married to a old Canfordian for 25 years and he loved it there.

[swingingcat]

hi again,

The school I mentioned is called Chilton Cantelo, Somerset.

They offer day & boarding with a bus service from Weymouth. The school will be starting a VI form in 2012.

[PercyPigPie]

Thank you everyone - that's really helpful

[handsfullallthetime]

Scary teacher, interesting you say that "if you had not had a second posting", meaning you did not go for Canford but took the kids with you. It still seems an automatic reflex to leave children in the UK when you go abroad for fear the international schools are not good enough...? Wondering about that...