Winchester vs Westminster vs St Pauls vs Harrow - Sixth form application

[Rennypie03]

I am reporting here as my initial thread was in secondary school section, when all mentioned schools are Boarding schools😊

We are considering starting applications for Sixth form for my DS. He is very academic and wants to do Maths, Physics, Further Maths and Chemistry/Economics for A-levels. He is also a great Cello player, in the choir at his current school and plays Rugby (but he isnt very sporty)

I prefer he goes to a 'hot house' or a school that will push him academically. I have no preference for single sex or co-ed.

I see from MN boards that these 4 schools are very challenging to get into? I dont want to apply to all 4 (only 2) and I really dont want very stressful application interview process. I sent an email to Winchester for a private tour but was declined and told to try next year - too early

I have emailed Harrow and no response

We will be applying to Kings Canterbury and Bromsgrove as well as I find them to be good all round schools and they have both responded to my emails :-)

A friend recommended Dulwich College and Epsom as other top notch schools with less application stress. Any thoughts?

Location is not an issue

What about Tonbridge or Brighton College?

Read comments about Bullying at Tonbridge on MN

There are more negative comments about Winchester on here than all the other schools combined. A number of our friends have removed their sons and others are considering a move for 6th form.

We have a very happy nephew at Westminster, it's very academic but I would definitely apply if I were you. You should also look at Eton , I'm not sure how many boys join at 6th form but it would be worth contacting them.

I think you have to be careful about comments on internet forums ( including this one- ha ha) but especially those of “ my friend says” nature. There will be some bullying at all schools. Sometimes it is a whole school problem but quite often it’s a year group problem or a few individual students problem. All schools have “that year” and it’s unfortunate if your child ends up in it but it often doesn’t reflect the whole school. That said, schools with a very “alpha” culture possibly have more of a problem that those that don’t.

If Kings Canterbury is academic enough for you and location isn’t a problem, possibly look at Canford ( comparable A level results). They expand in the sixth form and have a new sixth form centre opening in 2025 which will create a dedicated sixth form facility within the wider school. It is a mix of boarding and day but v much feels like a boarding school that takes day kids rather than the other way around. Huge campus with great facilities and good number of boarders stay at weekends.

I still think Brighton college might be your sweet spot though.

Have a look at Magdalen College School Oxford - mine have all done very well there and been happy. It’s very academic but has a good supporting balance as well as amazing music, drama opportunities.

As a recent past parent of Winchester I wouldn't recommend it, particularly for 6th form. Your DS will have lots of choices , my DD was at Brighton College .It's an excellent school, great teaching, pastoral care is super and they really want the best outcome for all the students. I only wish DS had gone there .