Charterhouse - macho/bullying? Ampleforth too religious?

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This is my first post on mumsnet and would really appreciate advice on the character of both schools. DS is in year 7 and a really sociable, cheerful boy - kind, musical, likes tennis, but not a driven academic. Both schools have been recommended but have concerns about leaving DS in a boarding school that isn't a good fit.

[happygardening]

Welcome to MN and the education section.
Charterhouse Pre tests in yr 6 does your DS have a place. It does have macho reputation, friends have said lots of boys activities etc it’s also primarily weekly boarding is that what you want? I also think I’ve read heard somewhere it’s going coed.
I’m a died in the wool atheist with a possibly irrational loathing of the RC church nothing would have persuaded me to send my DS to a school like Ampleforth. I’m sure it’s got lots of positives we know friends (who needless to say are RC and who wanted an RC school) with DC’s there they talk very highly of it but I just couldn’t do the RC thing.
Good luck at finding somewhere.

[Bekabeech]

Charterhouse has just had a new Head start. It is going co-Ed in a couple of years, and most go home at least a bit at weekends.

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Thanks for your advice, it's very daunting.