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Original poster

Eton, Harrow, Winchester, or Westminster?

272 replies

MECC · 09/07/2019 20:06

So our son is in prep school, and it's around the time that we begin considering which schools he should apply for.
His marks are very good and he enjoys reading. He is apathetic to sport, so we think an unashamedly academic school may be good for him. That's why we initally thought Eton and Harrow were probably not good choices, although we don't want to completely rule them out.
The issue with Westminster is that os only boards during weekends. It is also partially coeducational, and we want our son to have an all-male education.

OP posts:
nespressowoo · 10/07/2019 07:49

What if he's gay, OP? And falls in love in school?

JoJoSM2 · 10/07/2019 07:40

Actually, you could also consider St Paul's. I think most students are day pupils but they do offer boarding and are as academic as it gets.

GoFiguire · 10/07/2019 07:37

Keep him away from girls at school and he will go mad at uni and fail his degree. HTH.

JoJoSM2 · 10/07/2019 07:33

@RedSheep73 one classy comment... and very helpful too.

OP, do look at Tonbridge as it's an academic, traditional boarding school and boys only. The top top academic schools tend to be day schools rather than boarding.

growlingbear · 10/07/2019 07:33

Of those, I'd say Winchester. It suited the quirky, studious boys I've prepped in the past .

QuaterMiss · 10/07/2019 07:29

OP it would be best if you allow your prep school to advise you on a suitable shortlist - that is what you’re paying them for.

Once you’ve decided which schools to apply to MN is great for specific experience and anecdotes. But the initial discussion needs to be with his current school. What do they think?

And, by the way, there is ample opportunity to play a lot of sport at the schools you mention. Perhaps you need to do more research? Or visit the schools in term time.

RedSheep73 · 10/07/2019 07:27

Can't be arsed to do any research so ask a lazy show off question. This site is full of normal people with their kids at comprehensives. Go ask someone who cares.

CaledonianSleeper · 10/07/2019 07:24

Aren’t his prep school advising you about this? It’s their job after all.

bolshevik · 10/07/2019 07:22

Hasn't it been demonstrated that students do have better academic outcomes in single-sex schools?

Girls do. Boys don't.

bolshevik · 10/07/2019 07:22

God almighty

Spinnaret · 10/07/2019 07:21

What if he is gay? The distraction of all those frivolous young men.

JoJoSM2 · 10/07/2019 07:16

Hasn't it been demonstrated that students do have better academic outcomes in single-sex schools? Having said that, we'll be going co-ed for the sake of DS's social skills.

WhiteDust · 10/07/2019 02:28

So good luck with that Mum & Dad! ConfusedGrinBrew

WhiteDust · 10/07/2019 02:26

We worry that being next around girls will make him focus on frivolities like dating at the expense of his studies.

Once hormones kick in he'll find his own way to get round that.
It's not something within your control.

Tavannach · 10/07/2019 02:12

Nah.

Original poster
MECC · 10/07/2019 01:52

Problem?

OP posts:
howwudufeel · 10/07/2019 00:41

Dear god....

Trees2905 · 10/07/2019 00:37
Hmm
Original poster
MECC · 10/07/2019 00:27

Well, we really think the point of an education is to learn. We worry that being next around girls will make him focus on frivolities like dating at the expense of his studies.

OP posts:
TapasForTwo · 09/07/2019 21:19

"and we want our son to have an all-male education."

Why? I'm not being goady, just curious.

Pipandmum · 09/07/2019 20:40

I know three boys at Winchester and they really like it. None are sporty.

JoJoSM2 · 09/07/2019 20:38

Another one you could consider is Tonbridge.

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