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Original poster

The big Eton, Harrow, Radley, Winchester question...

228 replies

TinkerBellThree · 27/02/2014 14:29

I have been reading a lot of threads on this site and found it hugely informative (and sometimes quite amusing). I hope you don't mind me picking your brain as I find that I am increasingly confusing myself.Confused

Our DS is in year 5 and we have started to visit senior schools for him.
We have seen Radley, Harrow, Eton and Winchester, and been to a few co-ed schools as well, but have decided that single sex is probably more right for DS.

DS is quite academic (though I tend to believe he is not as much so as his school tells me he is), sporty and very competitive. He is very social and he loves to try out new things.

Our DS' Prep is adamant that he is made for Eton and Eton is made for him, and I must admit we loved the school when we visited, so we have put his name down there. However, it is exceedingly hard to get into and I am not counting my chickens (and I think the likelihood of a place is slimmer than slim) so I believe we need (several) back-up(s) - so here is where I am getting confused...

Radley (who I understand is a "normal" backup for Eton) is not encouraged by our DS' school (not sure why) and Harrow worries me a little with its reputation of not being very challenging academically (has this changed?).

Originally we ruled out Winchester as it was not "sporty" enough, but having been to visit, we have had to re-think as we found there were lots of opportunities for our DS to do sports. Our DS' Prep think it should be on our list - but is a boy so "suited" for Eton really suited for WinCol?

All the above schools are within easy reach of where we live, so we will have ample opportunity to see matches etc.

Where should we put DS' name down? For all the schools on our list + some (as he may not get into any of the above)? Or should we be more focused?

I know a lot of you have vast amounts of experience and possibly been through the same conundrum yourself, and I would really very much appreciate your input.

OP posts:
Lottiedoubtie · 27/02/2014 16:40

Honestly? It sounds to me like your headmaster has given you a list of schools he likes to have on his leaving statistics. The biggest thing they have in common is their prestigious reputations.

I'd take the HMs advice with a respectful pinch of salt and continue the visiting and get a feel for schools that way.

Original poster
TinkerBellThree · 27/02/2014 16:36

Thank you so much Zero for your insight. Interesting to know that others than us have had the same "strange" suggestions... perhaps they are not for such different boys after all?

Unfortunately DS' birthday is a very late one - so it seems the Eton interview will be similar time to a WinCol one.

DS loves Eton and he has not voiced any opinions on the others...- but I agree with you - it is too early for him to know, and ultimately we want to make the decision (though we will of course listen to him and not send him somewhere he hates)

How did you decide? Gut feeling?

OP posts:
ZeroSomeGameThingy · 27/02/2014 16:21

Ok. I know the exact same boy - just a couple of years older.... Three of those were suggested to us.

I know nothing about Radley. And if you have not already registered him at this stage the only possible entry would be via the Warden's list which your HM may not feel is a reliable option. (But I only know that from reading it here...)

As to the others... If your DS's birthday falls in the early part of the school year - Sept to ermm Feb/ March (check) it could all fall into place if he has the Eton pre-test (and result) first, then Winchester interview. Harrow afaik doesn't pre-test til the following year. So you don't have to make up your mind all at once or pray for a blinding flash of clarity as to what your yr 5 will be like at 13/ 14/ 15...

It is difficult to be expected to decide though. My impression is that Eton wants boys who will take the academic achievement in their stride and really throw themselves into making waves in some extra-curricular field. Whereas the Winchester boys do seem expected to be scholars rather than just clever - with everything else (and there's a lot there, including sport and music etc at incredibly high levels) kind of falling in behind. (I can only tell you about Harrow from what I've seen on TV - we didn't go down that route ourselves.)

It's too early for him to know - but what did your DS think?

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