Help! Advice needed. Weekly boarding for a bit sensitive boy

[Millybutterfly]

Hi MN. I'm new here and this is a first post. Read the comments about the schools for quite a long time, may be someone could help. Have a Year 6 DS now. Academic, hard working, arty (drawing and goes to the Sat art school), obsessive in reading, no discipline problems, helps around at home and in school, good swimmer and tennis player but not the best one in the team play as rugby ( as I know doesn't like the idea to be hurt) more football and cricket, has got good friends at his prep school now, but quite sensitive sometimes if someone laughing at him or banter if it does concerns his sport or other skills like he is afraid to climb high. I have a feeling he will grow out of this sensitivity, and boarding if it happens still in 2 years ahead.

We talked to him as he is feeling about the boarding, he said he likes the idea and don't mind. In most of the cases with him if he likes art dep-t and library then he likes the school.

We've been to King's Canterbury last week. Got the idea, liked it very much and the sixth former who was showing the school was absolutely great, calm, intelligent and very friendly and we felt that he wasn't prepared to say only the best things about the school. The only thing that puts me off a bit is that boys can go out of the school on Sat afternoons and on Sundays. And as far as it is not the weekly boarding it concerns me. We will come and visit him if he gets in as often as we can, and they have the exeats but may happen that we will not.
We are considering the Charterhouse, as my DH friend's child is there and doing great. Bradfield college also may be, but one of my friend tale me it is quite relaxed in terms of academic.
Have 2 day schools as a first choice option MTailors and UCS as we live in Hampstead. But they are so competitive that probably worth to have a plan B. The problem is all the other schools that suits DS are quite far in 1 h journey twice everyday+ after schools and clubs and homework so we started to consider boarding schools.
will be happy to get some advices in terms of weekly boarding

[happygardening]

I was talking to a mum at an independent schools sports thing last year her DS is at Bradfield. The mum described him a academic, quirky and a bit sensitive that why they choose it. He was coming to the end of his first year she says his doing well academically and has enjoyed his first year in the house which only takes first years if that makes senses, he was well supported, he settled quicker and better than they thought, her only gripe was that fact that it was weekly boarding. Sounds just what you're looking for frankly.

[happygardening]

Bryanston is another too look at it has good bus/train links into London, primarily weekly boarding again first years are in houses only for them. DS2 friends go us there he's a little sensitive and is very happy.

[Millybutterfly]

Thank you happygardening, I read in GSG about Bryanston, too far to drive for weekly boarding to my mind and still have to other kids to manage.

Bradfield is doing Open sat every week. Called them just now. We'll go and see.
DH still insists on Charterhouse but after reading many comments here about it it looks no doubt great but the boy should better be robust then sensitive to go there

[happygardening]

Charterhouse does gave a macho reputation.
Cranleigh? Again basically weekly boarding. Friends with DC's there like it. If you want weekly boarding you're pretty spoilt for choice. Where does your head suggest?
There's Tonbridge of course again virtually all weekly boarding but I suspect you've missed the cut off date for registration. There are loads in the Home Counties. Someone bound to come along soon and recommend somewhere. Trying to think of some more .... there's a Quaker school near Reading Leighton Park/Hill something like do t know it at all but many on here go into raptures over it.

[mary21]

Not for boarding but did you look at Mill Hill

[Millybutterfly]

Thanks mary21. We've got quite close friend's son there. They are not happy with the school at all but their boy is absolutely not academic, not even the average, although very very sporty and that's the only thing he likes to do. And the school has amazing facilities for sport. That's the only option for them around as they say. I haven't seen myself but as far as they are close friends and know our DS they advised that if he can do academically more better try smth else.

[Millybutterfly]

Happygardening, you are right about the Tonbridge. Unfortunately we missed the deadline already. I've got a big list to explore, but they don't say in the league tables is it the right school for a sensitive boy. Your advises from my point of view are much more valuable.

Reading about the Cranleigh now.

Our Head recommended Kings Canterbury most of them all. But advised to go and see few more, feel the atmosphere of the schools and how the children there look like. Not Stowe definitely and not Rugby, he said the Charterhouse probably may suit and he will assist if possible but it does depend how we feel about the school. He knows DS a little and says he may grow out of it and school can help him to be more confident. so 50 /50.

[summerends]

From what you say about your son, Winchester would be a good fit if not too far. Nothing to lose in applying as a late applicant and keeping that option open whilst pursuing the others you mention.

[Millybutterfly]

thanks for advice summerends , we haven't consider Winchester only because they ask to apply by the end y5. will call them tomorrow about the late applicants. DS is bright but not the enstein, not too many chances I think but why not to try

[happygardening]

Winchester is one of the last remaining all full boarding schools, they are not generally allowed out on Saturdays even for special occasions as they are meant to participate in an activity in the afternoon and have pr in the evening. They are allowed out on Sunday after chapel which every other week doesn't end till after 11 am.

[aghteens]

Have you looked at City Boys?

[summerends]

HG, yes Winchester is a bit of a random suggestion in view of thread title but from what Milly has been saying I was n't sure if full boarding had been completely excluded if the school was the best fit.

[Teddingtonmum1]

My DS is starting weekly boarding at reeds cobham in sept but I think its the wrong side for you , the thing I liked was they can come home on the weekend if they want or they can just as well stay if need be. They are not allowed out alone as far as I'm aware.

[Millybutterfly]

DS tried city boys for 13+ this Jan and failed unfortunately, was very stressed.The test results with the tutor shown that he could make it, a lot of pressure was on the exam day when he saw hundreds of boys there, although we keep telling him that it is not the end of the world. Upsetting but what can we do. Few boys from our school made it to City this year.

[Millybutterfly]

Thanks happygardening for Winchester comments. if it is completely full boarding I will not try as it is quite hard to send him away anyway and moreover for the full boarding

[Millybutterfly]

Winchester is really high in the tables so I'm not sure anyway if DS could make it. If he failed in City Boys it is even harder, especially if the reg deadline has already passed.

[TacitusMouse]

Locally there's also Highgate too - I don't know if you've thought of that if you thought about UCS, MT & City

[Millybutterfly]

Thanks TacitusMouse, Yes, we went to Highgate for the open day long time ago before DS was even 7 and Juniour school is great, and recently too. He doesn't like the atmosphere honestly feels arrogant, very pushy and exam results oriented. Ds is not of that mould, may be just not bright enough although working very hard and taking learning serious. I have got one family across the road with the very bad impression after their daughter's interview this year. Head of art was shouting on the children as crazy during the group activity. Art I suppose should be creative but not like that.
Another friends DD is in the 6th form there and absolutely happy. May be it is just not the right school for us.

[aghteens]

Everything you're saying is shouting 'Forest' to me, but I guess it may be one of the 1hr+ journeys you mentioned. Friends of mine have very happy children there.

[Millybutterfly]

thanks aghteens, Forest is great! I know one family with DC there, very happy, but unfortunately it is a day school too far from us to travel every day and they don't do boarding

[mary21]

Have you looked at the Hertfordshire schools. Berkhampstead ', weekly boarding,Hailibury. Full boarding but can go home for sat afternoon and Sunday. St Albans day but ? Do able from you. I know lots from Mill Hill used to go there. If Catholic St eds in Ware. If alternative CT Chris letchworth. Oh and there's the friends school in saffron Walden