Winchester College - supposing you're not at all quirky?

I wouldn't class the Winchester College students that I know as "quirky". I also don't think you need to be top of everything to get in - I'm sure many are, but certainly not all. Several boys from our prep ended up going there after not getting places at the day schools they applied to (Hampton Boys, KCS, St Paul's). These days, at least where I am, WC is offered as a "backup" for reasonably able students who don't get into their chosen day schools. NOT because it's any less good than those schools but rather because full boarding is less popular than it used to be even 10 years ago.

Before I get flamed, I want to stress that I'm sure these boys are all bright, they're just not "super bright". They were fairly average in their year groups at our West London Prep (not scholarship material although they have to go through the scholarship stream to pass the WC entrance exam) and didn't get into the top West London day schools - but clearly WC saw something in them, and I'm sure they're thriving there and will go very far indeed.

Hi Justlearning, our D.S is considering Wincoll for 2019 (has been offered a place). We're trying to find out more about it and have been doing a bit of research about this rumour of quirky boys.

A Head Master of a relatively small prep school told me that when he was at school (probably 30 - 40 years ago), his 'school' always considered Wykhamists a bunch of wierdos - which I thought was a very unnecessary comment (nonetheless interesting he said it). Also, a friend of ours is a diplomat and he mentioned, There's plenty of them (Wykhamists) in the foreign office and alluded to the same sort of 'odd ball' character trait. He decided not to put his own D.S's name down there.

Two boys from our D.S prep are due to start this year. One is the kindest, switched on, musical, academic and outgoing chaps you're likely to find. The other is very withdrawn and keeps himself very much to himself. Of the other boys we know there (or are going), most are quite clever and polite/kind, but certainly not 'main stream' communicators. One boy we know who will start next year just says 'yes' or 'no' to every question I've ever heard put to him, but my understanding is he's going for the election there, so maybe if a boy is that clever, the other aspects of character and personality are considered less important.

We visited earlier this year and just by chance met a final year boy on our walk to the school. He was very dynamic and charismatic, and certainly no shrinking violet (he was very impressive). So, as you can tell, we're quite confused. We do not want to be leaving the school after 'New Man's Day' like our friends did a couple of weeks ago, to find that fifty percent of the boys in their D.S's cohort are unable to communicate because they did not speak English well enough, or they were just did not possess the character to communicate effectively. Equally, we know his is by no means representative of every boy there.

We love the idea of our D.S being educated in one of the best schools (if not the best) in the world, but have now resorted to reading the ISI reports to gleen a better understanding (extract below).

The latest (2015) report states at the time of the report the school had 685 boys, of which 136 come from families who have English as an additional language (EAL) Most of them resident in a wide range of overseas countries. Of these 6 received formal support for their English. The report goes on to say, The school had identified 102 pupils who have a variety of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) of whom 30 are in receipt of specialist learning support.

Based on the report, I'm beginning to form an idea (rightly or wrongly) about the quirky comments. The movie 'Rain man' springs to mind. Still we're all very undecided and are still trying to find out more. Does anyone know when the next inspection is? They seem to be able to deliver some good fact based comments.

I would disagree with some here. Winchester College is all about being tops academically, IMHO. If your child thrives on being top 1% in studies and results I would say a good fit. If a more "normal" boy then I would look at other schools. We were put off when we were told Win Coll becomes their family and you are visitors from year 9 on. Opinion is worth what you pay though. Interview, see if you get a place and then decide based on what you know of your DS.

Not sure if I would say that IME the 'normal' boys are any more or less 'lovely' than the 'quirky' boys . Individuals with something to say (but also able to listen) rather than conformity or a type is my overall impression whether 'normal' or 'quirky'. That does n't stop most of them liking the usual boy teenage activities including kicking or throwing a ball around. Sport activities will be in the afternoons (before or after lessons depending on the time of year) but from what I hear particularly the younger boys often congregate in their house yard or nearby grounds to kick a ball around after prep.

OP most boys there are neither quirky nor exceptionally bright. However there seems to be much more acceptance by the boys of individuality and less judgement on 'coolness' than in other schools. There is also freedom to choose individual pursuits and not to do team sports if that is preferred.
Whether your DS would enjoy another school more is a harder question. There is plenty on offer for extracurricular activities so an all rounder will have a good time. However the boys do 2 hours of homework everyday including Saturday evening. A fair amount of what they are taught will not be for the purpose of getting good grades at public exams. That can be inspiring and liberating but for some boys a more utilitarian approach to following a curriculum may be preferred as it frees up more time.

Don’t forget MN is a tiny speck of opinion and views on a school. The vast majority of Winchester parents do not post on here at all, ever. Therefore my view would tend to concur with your view. If he’s been offered a place, he will fit in just fine. Also do have an in depth look around. Talk to some other boys. Who else from your current school has gone there? What were these boys like? Can you speak to their parents?

Lastly, don’t believe everything you read on here from a self selecting group of parents! (I include myself - of course!)

No direct experience but I know a couple of boys there at the moment and a few (very) old boys. All very 'normal' and not remotely quirky! Bright but not genius level and into all the usual stuff 13 year old boys are into. Both from down to earth, hard working families etc.