13+ boarding SOS

Zero probably best not to tell said boy that the ignorance of this particular poster is such that I had to look up what Marvel was so that I could understand the extent of your self sacrifice .

I don't know either (obvs) so I went in search of a boy ... Boy says that you would need to know how to use a mouse, but no actual difficulty beyond that regarding the mechanics of the thing. (Do you know how much Marvel info I had to listen to in exchange? )

Zero I don't know how fast-reacting the boys have to be to the computer screen so I might be overestimating the level of computer-competence but surely boys who have n't had much or no ICT or spent little time playing computer games by that age would be responding less rapidly to the questions asked? I am mildly curious since I have a DS who would have been in that category despite being (without false modesty) pretty bright and therefore I wonder how he would have fared with that sort of test.

How lovely of you to update. I won't say "bad luck" because it really isn't if it's not the right school.

However, based on what you said before about how much he loves MGS, I'm wondering whether, in addition to entrance tests, you might consider finding a way for him to stay there when you move. Would it be impossible to find a truly lovely family with whom he could live in Manchester? (It seems a shame to take him from a school he's thriving at ...) But I can understand if you have your heart and mind set on more conventional boarding.

I'm sorry he's taken it to heart - I'm sure he did nothing wrong (and the boy who has "his" place might not have got in to MGS!)

But summer I can't imagine a boy bright enough to be taking this particular pre-test who is not "computer-savvy". Wherever in the world they might come from. It may well be that your first point, about boarding readiness, played a part - but who knows.

Onwards and upwards OP.

Winchesters interview/pre test is much more personal, lasting about 1 1/2 hours it gives boys a real chance to shine and show their individual qualities. Rather than being impersonal (like some) the HM's can go on their gut feelings about a boy. When my DS did it (a frighteningly long time ago now at least it seems that way) the individual HM's organised their own tests, two of DS's friends were interviewed by different HM's in the same year and all three did completely different written/oral tests.
My DS did little if any preparation for it, on the advise of the Win Coll, your child's personality is being assessed to see if he's 1. suitable for the school and 2. suitable for the house he's registered for so basically it's going to be much better if your DS is just himself not an over prepared version.

firstboard it is often reported that the school don't always offer to good performers in the test so you can't assume he did n't do well in it. He may just not have come across as a good boarding school candidate.
As an aside I think the Eton pretest (and similar computer tests) sound an excellent way of differentiating IQ rather than those who have had thorough preparation but I do wonder whether it favours computer-savvy boys.

firstboard I hope that he finds a boarding school that he ends up loving as much as he does MGS. From my experience of boarding houses (not Eton) they often seem 'claustrophobic' to parents but children even teenagers don't seem to mind and always find some space to congregate and let off steam with their friends.
Your information about 13+ entrance for international students confirms the growing flexibility away from CE for international and the state sector. However I imagine that if Latin continues to be obligatory at Eton your DS will want to avoid extra catch-up lessons if he goes there so might be worth keeping up his latin.

Radley also seems to be very good for cricket but not sure if its too late to get on 'the list'?

Try Shrewsbury School for Cricket I think they even have an indoor cricket centre and are current holders of the Silk Trophy which they compete for against Eton, Oundle and an touring school - two schools you mentioned. Amazing cricket grounds but then I guess most of these schools have. Its mostly Coed now, good results and not too far from Manchester if you have family there. They run coaches to Manchester during exeats, definately full boarding - only about 100 day students. All schools you mentioned are very good schools, happy hunting.

Best of luck to your ds, firstboard. Keep us updated!
I hope he gets a place at Eton - the cricket there is excellent - though I know it is at lots of schools.

Coming to this thread late, OP, if it’s full-time boarding and cricket you want for your son, then there are but only two schools from your original list - Eton and Harrow.

The annual Eton vs. Harrow cricket match is legendary and your cricketing son will have the chance to play cricket in the home of cricket itself - Lords! It is every cricketer’s dream of playing cricket at Lords.

As your son seems also to be very bright and academic besides being sporty, then realistically speaking there is only one school for him - ETON!

So now your son has seen the school and done the computerised test, what is his opinion of Eton and how does he like it? What about yourself?

It's always good to see an update!

How is your DS getting on at Manchester Grammar OP?

Best of luck for your DS.

Good Luck

You are generally correct Patricia only the global brands are desperately oversubscribed you listed Eton and Harrow I would add Winchester which apparently has more interest/registrations this year than ever before but does regularly take pupils from international schools, Marlborough which I have on very good inside authority is also over subscribed and a Tonbridge but it is basically a weekly boarding school so probably not suitable for the OP. Eton a Winchester and Tonbridge pre test in yr 6 miss the pre test and basically you're unlikely to get a place especially at Eton which also runs this weird waiting list system, Harrow tests in yr 7 least it did in my day as I think does Marlborough again miss the pre test and I suspect you chances of a place at a later date are slight. Those aside I agree most will take you arm off to have a bright student and the OP has plenty of time.

There is a huge amount of unnecessary worrying about entrance to these schools. Emphasising the scarcity value is all part of their marketing strategy. The bottom line is that supply of boarding school places in UK outstrips the demand from solvent British families with the sort of intelligent, well rounded DS you appear to have. They can fill their places many times over with Russian, Chinese and other international children but they need to retain a critical mass of British students if they are to continue to market themselves as British schools - which is what the international parents are buying. That is why, assuming the school thinks parent/company can pay and the parents do not come across as a bonkers DCs like yours are a much sought after commodity.

Exceptions to the above are Eton and Harrow (global brands) where demand outstrips supply. But again I have seen students enter from international schools, so do not rule them out. Winchester is in a special category but if your son is really clever and likes academic work it'worth a try.

Our own experience, applying in March of year of entry was that after a short time on the waiting list DS1 16 and DS2 13 were both offered places at two of the schools mentioned in this thread ie four offers in total (we did not apply to the others) and DD 11(with mild SEN) was immediately offered a place at another good school better suited to her.

Honestly, it's all hype! You can relax!

first that's fair enough (and I guessed that might be the case).

The Sevenoaks/IB suggestion was a good idea-the children of some friends of mine have done very well there (and been happy).

For the small handful of over subscribed usually very selective boarding schools often pre testing in yr 6 it's not a buyers market for the rest even amongst the big names it's not particularly difficult to get a place.

I = OP, according to my phone

Have faith, I. It is more of a buyers market than it looks, but you may want to avoid the really big big names.

It might help narrow the search if you think about who would be his guardian, where he would go for exeat weekends when flying to you wasn't practicable, who would come and watch matches etc - and then look at schools within a reasonable distance of those people.