Where to start?? Help me identify some schools?

[DaysofHoney]

Hi all.

DS has expressed a desire to explore boarding school options. He’s in Y6 now so would need to be Y9 entry, and we’ve no doubt missed the boats for lots of schools already. Currently overseas so would be ISEB at Yr 7 assessment, or a school with less rigid application process - which may well suit him better.

DS:

Bright but not studious - needs pushing and needs structure. Maths and STEM stronger than English. Possible dyslexia but undiagnosed (screener was borderline and doesn’t seem to impact learning).

Sporty and excels in athletics and swimming. No experience of rugby, cricket, or hockey though. Loves outdoor stuff, DOE, CCF very much on the list of requirements.

Makes friends quickly and has always been popular, but is also sensitive. Not a super confident character in class (shares ideas and contributes but is quieter) - he will come to life once surrounded by friends outside of school.

Enjoys drama and until recently had a real passion for dance - somewhere he could pick these up again would be great.

School:

The location - central England, Home Counties preferably. Easy access to London and Heathrow or Gatwick would be important.

Must take ISEB at yr7, or have their own admissions process that’s holistic and not overly academically focused.

Pastoral would be important, and I suspect he’d prefer somewhere medium sized to either huge or tiny.

Prefer a school that is fully boarding (would have family nearby for occasional weekends out but assume full boarding).

Any experience of anywhere that sounds like it fits the bill would be hugely appreciated!

thanks.

Agree with this - one of the reasons DC went to Christs Hospital is because it is strictly full boarding - you need a very good reason to come home on a non exeat weekend.

Is Ampleforth still very High Catholic?

yes. Ampleforth is one of the uk’s oldest catholic schools. It has a devout following of parents, many of whom went themselves and overlook its many short comings and choose it for their children today. Howver they are happy with the school despite it being nothing special. It’s in the absolute back of beyond with terrible transport links (but obscenely pretty place!) and it’s incredibly average at sport and academics but the pupils are happy and they turn out as nice people. It isn’t run by monks the way it was a generation ago but it’s still a school by catholics for catholics and you don’t need any academic ability to get in. It’s a good choice for a small proportion of families I would say but the wrong choice for many.
not remotely suitable for the OP unless child is catholic and likes being miles from anywhere with plenty of nice but dim Tims who will be jolly nice chaps to be friends with.
I will say the final product at 18 does turn out jolly good fellows (and girls) !

Uppingham also worth considering - also fully boarding

Uppingham going through a rocky patch at the moment. It was slammed in a recent independent inspector review for safeguarding failings citing poor leadership and reading between the lines, bullying issues between older to younger pupils.
it’s less of the darling it was amongst prep schools having massively failed Maidwell Hall prep which it had dealings with. I know of a few who have recently moved children away from Uppingham and others who are no longer planning to choose it as a senior school for their children having been quite set on it .
Probably one to skip at the stage. It will come good again but suspect some cultural top down changes need to be overhauled first.

I know Uppingham well. I am from the area. It's an alright school but would choose Oundle over it no question; I had heard it was going through a rough ol' time.

Rugby is fab, ditto Marlborough.

My brother went there. He’s an absolute dick with no moral compass.

Bradfield, Wellington, Lord Wandsworth, Marlborough, Radley.

all good, academically and sporty. Almost all will lean towards Rugby/Cricket but if your son is generally sporty he’ll get on fine and they definitely all do athletics and swimming too.

First generation Amplefordian here. Definitely didn’t choose it because of any family history!

Yes it is absolutely still catholic but there are children here of other Christian faiths, other faiths and no faiths. The Benedictine principles are rather applicable to all! All are welcomed. It is now separated from the Abbey with only a few monks employed by the school and the safeguarding is tight.

I find it fascinating that people feel we settle for an average school! Some of us choose it because we absolutely see something special - and not just the stunning valley! You’re right it is a long way away and if that’s a reason not to look at it for your family absolutely fair enough but the school organised transport from Scotland and London at the beginning and end of term means it really isn’t problematic.

The beauty of it, is that the focus is on pastoral care and a wonderful all round education supporting children with academics, music, theatre, sport. The music is outstanding! The highland pipe band is a treasure. It’s about being the best your child can be.

I am not going to put down any other school but I will say I have chosen this above other schools and my DC are very happy indeed. They are thriving and turning into lovely young people.

You might want to take a look at Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Suffolk about an hour from Stansted, so decent access if you're flying in/out. Slightly off your central/Home Counties brief, but might be worth considering given your DS's profile.

My DS is there and it’s been a really good fit so far: strong pastoral care, good structure, and a lovely balance between academics and co-curricular. They do take ISEB for Year 7 (and I understand they’re also open to their own entry process in some cases), so it might suit if you’re looking for something a bit more holistic.
The sailing and water sports offering is brilliant, but they’re also good on athletics and swimming and quite a few pupils join without rugby, cricket, or hockey experience, so he wouldn’t be alone there. Drama is big with a good music / band department.

That said, just a heads-up: the school has recently written to parents to say they’re planning to remove CCF from September 2025, which has caused a lot of concern. Many pupils and parents (ourselves included) have expressed strong objections and are hoping this will be reversed, but as it stands, that’s the current line. If CCF is a dealbreaker, it’s worth watching that space.
Size-wise, it’s medium around 700-ish and more boarding than not. Very grounded, not flash or overly posh, but with a proud naval heritage (which makes the CCF news all the more disappointing, to be honest).