Full boarding options for boy

[Conniedmack]

Hello, after some advice on boarding schools for my son. He’s smart but not genius, middle to upper level although he’s just started at his prep after 4 different schools abroad. He’s great at sports, easily makes friends, enjoys currently boarding weekly. Wondering whether I should bother with schools that seem so hard to get into, many tests (Harrow, Marlborough etc). I worry the pressure would be too much for him, he’s currently 10. He is an avid reader and huge depth of knowledge on many things, I’d say a self learner who absorbs knowledge when delivered by an aspiring teacher. He is a 10 yr old gregarious boy who’d currently prefer to rough and tumble rather than study for exams. Loves hockey, rugby and football. Not sure he’s scholarship material (although hard to assess at this age).

Any advice on the type of school that is looking for boys beyond the academic grade but rather the thinking, intuitive adaptive child. He wouldn’t do well at a hothouse. So far I’ve looked at Sherborne and Radley. Booked in to tour Canford and maybe Harrow and Stowe.

Suggest
Oundle
Marlborough
Rugby

DD went for a taster day and night at Bromsgrove and wasn't impressed by the boarding or academics Im afraid so for a reasonably academic child I'd give it a miss.

“There’s nowhere to sit outside because the dining hall is on a public street”

I hate to break it you but at public schools, meals are not long leisurely Club Med style lunches in the sunshine. In my experience they are fuelling stops where boys aim to take on as many calories as quickly as possible before charging off with their mates to their next activity. In fact, I am struggling to think of any public school which has a central outdoor eating area. The nearest thing would be when boarding houses have barbecues in their yards on a summer evening.

it you're looking for academic I don't think sherborne is for you with / without outdoor dining plaza

it's a lovely school but more of an all rounder. We have a friend headed there and I would say he's below average academically and was rejected from some of the more academic and quite average establishments.

A good school for all rounders, or bright boys that don't want too much pressure/hothouse environment.

Given what the OP has listed, Radley could be a good fit.

Yes radley also works - not dining en plein air there either… but it’s a closed school not part of town. But I think this outdoor dining option sounds quite lovely maybe you’re onto something.

Haha I never meant to expect outdoor dining, not sure how that came to pass but I was concerned Sherborne doesn’t have much green spaces which I feel is good for mental health and when you’re paying a crazy amount of money I just thought a nice courtyard with grass would be nice. Dining hall is in town on a public street which wasn’t too appealing but it’s obviously well regarded and has a lovely feel about the school.

Haha I was joking a bit

Radley has quite a high academic bar for entry and could be considered a tier or two above Sherborne in that regard. This applies to both Radley List and Open Entry routes.

Yes, I agree, which is why I suggested it. More academic than Sherborne but Radley maybe slightly less hothouse than some of the other all boys full boarding schools.

Has nobody mentioned Cranleigh??? Sporty, good education, good London links

This isn't a full boarding school.

What about Bradfield? Is it too sporty?

And for your DD, have you looked at St Swithun's? That said, I think many girls there are local so there may not be a strong weekend boarding cohort.

It might be too far but Sedbergh is very sporty.

I thought the majority DID stay in at weekends. Far more in than not.

Definitely not. As a rule of thumb to all schools that offer full boarding, if pupils CAN go out, they WILL.
As soon as one goes out, then another and another leaving just the overseas and friendless behind!
true for all schools not specifically cranliegh.
with C, so many live close by, its natural to nip home.

Understood, from my knowledge lots are weekly...

It's tricky without figures to know... I would ask the school OP for figures of full boarders when the school has weekly boarding as an option.

Thank you, I love the look of Cranleigh but was told by admissions that most if not all clear out at the weekends. I need full boarding in case we are abroad again which is likely

Like Bradfoeld but from what I see they don’t play rugby. And St Swithins very much weekly boarding from what I understand. Thank you though. We’ve applied for Sherborne and Marlborough at the moment but might also look at Oundle (although located is not the best for us). Many thanks

My daughter is at Canford. Fixed exeat every 3 weeks and then you’re allowed a very limited additional number of weekends a year but only after 4pm on Saturday and back by 8pm Sunday so not worth it for most.

no weekly boarders.

This is true. My experience is that some of the most vociferous champions of full boarding are also the ones who most regularly take their children out at weekends.
They want full boarding for when their children are in, and flexi boarding when their children want to come out…

We are considering Greshams at present. Pastorally it stands out against the others. I wouldn't even entertain Uppingham. I hear too many horrific stories from parents there, the bullying story in the press is true, they are very stoic, encourage cheating in their sports matches (I have witnessed this twice for myself and heard many other stories) and the way they treated the Maidwell parents and closed that school speaks volumes! We have many friends at Oundle and their children are thriving, but it is an academic hot house. Same for Rugby, would recommend but it is a hot house too. Good Luck!

I’d say definitely look at Radley. It’s within reach of London, full boarding, excellent results academically, sporty for those who want to be and plenty of other activities on for those who don’t. It’s also known for its excellent pastoral care. I know boys that are there and my DS has a place.