Wellington or Charterhouse

[SoooConfuzed]

Hello, I’d really appreciate some perspectives from people with experience of either school.

Our DC has offers from both Wellington and Charterhouse. DC was quite clear about Wellington but is now wavering because friends are going to Charterhouse, which is pulling them in that direction.

DC is bright and motivated and currently around the top 5 in their year. They don’t seem worried about it, but I do wonder whether they might feel a bit intimidated by the academic standard at Wellington.

We’ve visited both schools several times and have come away feeling very positive about both. We probably know a bit more about Charterhouse, as friends’ DC are there or have been, so it feels more familiar.

We know Wellington would suit DC, but it feels a bit like a “unicorn” school, which makes me question whether it’s too good to be true!

Apologies, I’m tying myself in knots and would really appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

Family friends had 4 boys at Charterhouse and they all loved it. Wellington I don’t know much about apart from an ex of mine went there.

Thanks @Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain Friends' DCs feel similar. It suits them well and they are very happy.
I'm hoping someone can offer more insight into Wellington.

Wellington has a little more zing about it than charterhouse and I think girls are better integrated at Wellington. In terms of academic standards it sounds like he won’t struggle. Charterhouse is football and welly is rugby that might sway you and I think the arts are a little stronger at welly. Some find it a bit bling but it’s a top flight coed in an hour of West London; most of my friends from it are pretty go getters and doing well now and don’t have any airs and graces. Good luck

Also both are pretty weekly so be prepared that most weekends they empty out. Some don’t care but just a word of warning as you’re paying full boarding but it isn’t really full boarding in the true 7 day a week sense.

Also worth considering which particular sports your child is interested in. Charterhouse more football than rugby.

Thank you @easternenergizer These are all the reasons we were and still are keen on Wellington. He is definitely more rugby than football. Good point about the full boarding, we have factored that in too. He likes the idea of the weekly reset and it'll be nice to have him home even if for a few hours.
Thank you so much for replying.

Youre welcome - at the end of the day they're both great go with gut feeling. :-D

Decisions, decisions!

OP why was your DS clear about Wellington as a first choice?

It’s worth bearing in mind that Wellington recruits a lot of elite sports kids. In some age groups/sports, the chances of a keen, average-to-good player making into one of the top teams is slim to none. For some who were always in the A teams at prep school, it can be dispiriting to find yourself in the 4th or 5th teams at senior school.

Also, it IS bling.

@Ziegfeld There were lots of things we looked at, academic stretch, co-education, choice between A-levels and IB, co-curriculars and sport. DS is not in the A teams for any sport. He plays because he enjoys the games and being part of a team. Sport wasn't really front and centre for us. Also we realise that each child is unique and so are the schools and finding the best fit is important.
I take your point about it being 'bling'. I don't think there is a perfect school out there, we've picked one that ticks most of our boxes.

Ok @SoooConfuzed - it sounds like you’ve made up your mind then.
If your child is happy being in the 6ths or 7ths (or having no fixture at all) then crack on.

Wellington has been on a hiatus in recent years and seems to be thought of as very academic. However your child generally needs to be quite “alpha” to survive. Both are equally academic with small percentage differences in final results and it comes down to personalities.

We have friends leaving Wellington to go to Charterhouse as their child felt bullied in their house however this can be a chemistry mix, but the children do end up moving and being in a brilliant place at Charterhouse in terms of mental wellbeing. They are happy pupils who are incredibly well turned out and their futures programs and AI programs are exceptional. Our DD is heading there and for us it has been a hidden surprise that just keeps getting better and better. They have a new principal who is incredibly academic and an exciting prospect. The previous head will look after CH group and has a fantastic rep - however the head of Wellington is also well regarded. I have lots of friends at both schools and haven’t heard anything negative both CH. Wellington has had some very concerning inner London influenced “stories” coming out from parents who have been at the forefront of incidents (straight from the horses mouth) but this can happen at any school. It is a massive concern when told of these issues.

It has also become very woke which may suit some parents (esp some London sets) but it won’t suit everyone. It’s overbearing to be discussing a child’s sexuality as the soul focus of a school open day as the focal point when they are 9 yrs old and priorities are the education and pastoral care. Yes it’s important to celebrate diversity but it shouldn’t be overburdening and virtue signaling.

Ex-Welly parent here (DC left a couple of years ago). It’s a very happy school. We were so impressed by James Dahl and the team. A kid should have a passion though (it doesn’t have to be sport or academia but it helps). Our musically-minded dc loved every minute, did well academically and made lifelong friends. So did we (of the non-bling variety). You’re welcome to dm me if you want more info.

I disagree on the girl front. We have mutiple friends with girls in various years and it is a bit of a mix if they fit. One leaving due to house bullying that the school has been unable to resolve. Other concerning feedback is the girls tend take a back step on sports to the boys at Wellington. It would be good to hear from other Wellie parents with girls their view on this. Our take is that it isn't the right fit if your child is slightly sensitive.

@bugsbunni that is concerning to hear (about the bullying). I think a lot of parents send girls to coed schools hoping there won’t be drama and bitchiness but actually, it’s surprisingly common. Competition for male attention can get quite heated.

Current Wellington parent here and we also considered Charterhouse. Happy for you to DM me.
They're two very different schools - rugby v football for the boys and with that comes a different (boy) parental body. Wellington more academically selective. House activities are very strong and they also have lots of fun! You need to be able to work hard and play hard. Lots of affluent families at both, but you get that at any boarding school these days due to affordability. Essentially it comes down to fit for your child and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Girls are horrible to each other around year 10 - we have experienced this in a day school environment too, no school/year group is immune to it but every child will need to learn resilience both at school and at home and how to weather the storm!

girls are horrible to each other at every school. By sixth form it settles down. Confounding for boys who don’t understand girl dynamic in those early teenage years !
both great weekly boarding schools. As you’ll be driving there twice a week factor in the commute too.

Definitely Charterhouse. Know families close to me at both and live close to Wellington and would never send my children there. Heard shocking stories and way too many children who have left. Heard much more positive things about Charterhouse. We wanted day so didn’t consider either seriously as didn’t want a school that was predominantly boarding.

Waleses are Wellington bound.