Reading School vs top Public School?

OMG!

What happened to Harrow?

Of course!

Colleger, I'm assuming the top three are Eton, Winchester and Bedales?

I have very different children who need very different things. I agree with the taking part in education. There are some things my boarding DS could have achieved greatly in but hasn't because of the restrictions of boarding - music mainly!

Regarding other posts, my point is that if you're going to send them to board then I wouldn't send them anywhere other than the top three schools.

I think there comes a time when a child is too old for prep school if they haven't started by Year 5. I looked round two prep schools this week for DS in Y6, looking for a Y7 place and he's also been offered a place at an 11+ school similar to RS. The preps felt rather babyish compared to the senior school and I was worried about integration and the minute time needed to get him to CE standard. We've opted for the 11+ school.

Eton is not right for everyone, I'm not even sure it's right for my youngest. I certainly wouldn't be risking my son's happiness for a school. Is a school more important than a child - heck no! So if he doesn't want to board don't pursue it, if you want Eton then you need to get him into a top notch prep school pronto. I did notice that RS is doing very well and it's always mentioned on the Sutton reports for being very successful at university stage, well ahead of Eton.

I really regret sending my eldest to a boarding school and now he is on that path he doesn't want to stop boarding. I've lost so much of his childhood and his sibling misses him so much. I've tried so hard to persuade him to go to the local independent but he refuses. They grow up too fast and I am full of regret!

BlueElephant, congratulations to the DS for getting an offer from Eton, this is already an achievement even if he doesn't take it up.

You mention two years of prep school. Are you considering boarding prep schools? If you are considering a boarding prep school, they would most likely let him do a 24-hour "taster sleepover". It could be worth looking at, if you want to consider the Eton offer at all.

Or would the boarding not start for two years? In two years time, both you and he might have different views on separation.

Isn't it about choosing the right school for your ds? I can't see the point in getting hung up on a school just because it has a name. If Eton is the right school for your ds then hopefully you'll make the right choice however it seems to be a lot of effort if you aren't really that keen on what it has to offer (ie boarding only).

RS is free and gives your DS does want not to board. Why pay bucket loads to force your DS to do something he does not want to do?
RS is also one of the best schools in the country in which your DS will have more of chance to mix with people from different backgrounds than at Eton (to some extend anyway, most pupils come from middle class background)
It's a no brainer IMO.

I grew up near Reading and socialised with the Reading boys a lot. I am still in touch with two of them - one is a Tory MP and the other is CFO of a huuuuge company. So no reason why your son shouldn't be successful if he went there!

I think if he is so against boarding at 11 I'd be very surprised if he wanted to at 13. Of course it may happen but personally I wouldn't be planning on it if you and he are so against it at the moment. There are plenty of good day schools without having to board.

Don't send him to Eton so my son can move up the waiting list!

The homework is fine, kept busy enough but still plenty of time for extra curricular things. Seems to have about an hour a night on average. I have a DD at Kendrick and she certainly seems to get more work on average.

The behaviour is mixed! There are some characters but generally I would say the school keep them well under control. My son has transgressed (quite minor) from time to time but I have always felt he was fairly dealt with. The Tutors respond within hours to any email/phone call and I have always felt that they know my son well and are keen to help.

The teaching is generally very good and my son often comments on interesting things that have come up in lessons. Generally he comes out of school every day buzzing.

I understand what you mean about them getting older and perhaps a reluctance for boarding on either their or our part when they are still 11 will not still be felt when they are 13. However, my son is now 13 and we are both very pleased that he is at home. We talk everyday about his day and his concerns and I feel relieved that we made the decision to go for day school.

Good luck with your decision, not an easy one!

I can't see how Eton is even an option if your ds doesn't want to board and you don't want him to board either. Why did he do the pre-test if boarding isn't an option?

Not as far as I've heard. Heads have come and gone at Reading School over the last 1000 years and it has always been alright so I am not too worried.

Really can't recommend it enough BlueElephant.

I have a DS at Reading. Not sure I agree about it being far less selective than Eton. It is oversubscribed to a similar degree to Eton and its results are very similar. I also know of several boys who have gone to Eton who have been nothing special academically.

My DS was at a Prep school and we went against the norm a bit by going for a day place at a boys' grammar ,but my son didn't want to board and in our heart of hearts we didn't want him to either. I think if you don't really feel it is the right thing for your DS and if he isn't 100% keen on the choice, it will be hard to deal with the inevitable initial homesickness.

I am incredibly happy with Reading school. My son is a good all rounder and we have certainly found him as stimulated in the Humanities as he is in the sciences. It has a warm atmosphere, there is plenty of laughter as well as hard work. My Ds absolutely loves it.