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Original poster

Please talk me through Winchester College/St Swithuns

40 replies

chicaguapa · 07/12/2010 11:07

My dad has offered to send DC to private school, though it's not something DH & I have necessarily considered. I went to a boarding prep school when I was younger, and loved it, but it was when my dad was in the RAF so it wasn't a mega-posh one.

Living close to Winchester it seems that our options are St Swithuns for DD (currently in y4 but would go there from y7) and Pilgrims/Winchester College for DS (currently in y1 and would go there from y3).

I don't have concerns about them turning out all arrogant, unable to relate to all people etc as I think that largely comes down to the parents and how they bring up their DC. I also don't worry about the academic push/ exam focus as that exists in the state alternatives anyway. My main concern is that St Swithuns and WC seem worlds apart and whether one DC would be going to a 'better' school than the other? And another question is whether it's ok not to board at WC as I'm not sure how I feel about boarding.

OP posts:
Gooftroop · 03/01/2011 18:19

I think you need to get the Good Schools Guide =- thats what we used. St Swithun's junior school is extremely nice and friends' children love it. It's co-ed so your daughter could go to the senior school and your son could start in the junior. THink it will be cosier than Pilgrim's.

20112011 · 23/01/2011 18:28

Before deciding on St Swithun's, it might be worth taking a look at the diatribe of unpleasantness that was posted (mostly it would appear) by pupils on littlegossip.com. The school has now been completely taken off the site, but there are enough cached pages in search engines to give you a feel. The stuff that's left is, sadly, at the tame end of the spectrum.

erebus · 24/01/2011 22:47

Before Xmas, in a light hearted way, I was chatting to a colleague and a client regarding whether one would send one's DD to St S or not.

This person suddenly became quite animated and basically said 'No, No, NO!'. This person was a retired teacher from there......

Original poster
chicaguapa · 29/01/2011 12:07

Just seen all the replies (I wish MN could email you when people reply to your thread) and appreciate the info. Thanks Jane1993 for your long reply. Especially as there's not a lot on the SS website, much less than WC, but I guess there's no substitute for going to look around in person.

Probably a bit late to bit following up on comments, but Gooftroop re DS going to SS juniors, doesn't it finish at y7? So that leaves a 2 year gap before WC?

OP posts:
erebus · 29/01/2011 13:34

Weren't you looking at Thornden catchment last year? Would save your dad a load of money in the long run.

If you want a 'proper prep' for DS, pre WC, go Twyford Prep.

longgrasswhispers · 29/01/2011 17:22

I'll stand up and be counted - I went to St Swithun's. As a boarder from 11 to 18. I don't think it's any more bitchy than any other school, and I think it does compare with Winchester College. Your dd will not feel that she's been sent to a 'lesser' school than your ds.

I also think that if there is any bitching or low-grade bullying (like there is in all schools as I said) then as a day girl, your dd can at least get home at the end of each day, and away from it.

I don't think I've grown into a bitchy adult Wink and I still have a few very good friends from school.

Original poster
chicaguapa · 30/01/2011 15:39

Yes I was erebus. Tbh I do think Thornden is a great school AND Kings (other alternative) and we initially turned down my dad's offer on the basis that the state schools available were more than comparable. I've no doubt that DC will come out with their best GCSE results wherever they go, so I'm just looking at what else the schools can offer them. I realise it's more a case of DC getting in, rather than whether we want them to go, but I feel we should explore every option for them. I'll have a look at Twyford. They're advertising for a science teacher at the mo (which is what DH is!)

longgrass DD doesn't have a bitchy bone in her body, so she'll probably just steer clear of all that anyway.

OP posts:
erebus · 30/01/2011 20:37

Let us know what you think of Twyford! I don't know much at all (except a consultant at work sent her DCs there and gave me a pair of long grey socks when my DS needed them for an evacuee costume at school!). She seemed happy enough though she said it was rather 'rule driven'! Don't know what that means!

Crystylline · 31/01/2011 17:39

You could look at Bedales and Churchers - both in Petersfield and lovely schools.

FloreatEtonia · 31/01/2011 20:41

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth I say! Winchester is simply the second best school in the country Wink and although I am not a fan of St Swithun's I would certainly grab an education with both hands there over the Winchester comps, which I admit are good for state schools.

Send the to Twyford and let the school decide the best senior school to fit their personalities. Or send DD to SS and DS to Pilgrims pronto and don't waste anymore time!

propatria · 01/02/2011 13:04

You could look at Bedales and Churchers,just as you could look at any private school,but they have nothing in common with Winchester beyond the fact they charge fees.

GillyF · 11/03/2011 20:20

My daughter started at Godolphin in Salisbury in September and loves it. It is well balanced incredibly happy school where the girls have lots of fun are busy but go at a good pace academically too.

Wink1e · 02/11/2017 00:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BubblesBuddy · 02/11/2017 11:42

This is the 5th message from wink today rubbishing this school. Another dead message revived. Sad, really!

Ta1kinPeece · 02/11/2017 20:31

2010 ZOMBIE THREAD

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