Wellington vs Abingdon vs Charterhouse

[Amber2]

Any insight from those in the know? Good vs not so good by way of comparison eg pastoral, academics, type of DC?

Still assessing the boarding vs day options but I know they all have weekly boarding, while A is predominantly day, W is predominantly boarding and C is really just weekly boarding.

We have visited two so far, but trying to look behind the gloss to aseess what suits DS. Is it true W is becoming more academic or shoud you forget it if DS is not an A in sports teams?

Seldon is window dressing,nothing has changed,Rugby is still worshipped as is the 1st XV,Abingdon is really a day school,the two children that I know that do go to it love it but seem rather obsessed with Radley(inferiority complex?)

Could I give one tip. If you are looking for full boarding - go for a full boarding school. Dont go to a school that tries to be everything to everyone. Abingdon really only has overseas boys staying at the weekend but fab day school!

maisiejoe is absolutely right but firstly you need to decide of you want; weekly boarding coming home most Saturday back Sunday night or even Monday morning or full boarding only allowed out Sunday and usually compulsory chapel attendance some time on Sunday restricting when you come out/go back. Which ever one you want it will only work if the vast majority are in the same boat. From many years of personal experience (we soon enter our ninth year of full boarding) 1 1/2 hours (one way) is the maximum viable distance if you want to have anything to do with activities in the school.

HG

Would love to send DS to Winchester - he is smart and academic in his way but not always self driven- but given a choice of what to do in his spare time, I think he could build Lego for hours on end! ...left to his own devices. I am not sure he would work hard enough on his own, but then again his quite competitive about rankings etc. so a ranking system could kick him into shape ...I admire you for being so hands off !

I also know people who are happy with DCs at Wellington, but I do question how you can charge 30k a year and not give more precise statistics on Oxbridge/Ivy League success etc. I couldn't find a chart other than a pie chart, of precisely how many leavers went where - bit ot is quite easy to find for many other schools. It is niche marketing par excellence I agree. I went for a tour last year with DS and am still unsure what to make of the place (and so was DS).

Thanks for all the advice. Need to take it all in.

I meant to thank all for their advice...