Boarding schools which are renowned for art

[musu]

Ds year 4. Very good at art and also very musical (sings, plays two instruments bit lazy practising). He has decided he wants to get an art scholarship to senior school. Financially we would need a bursary (he has a substantial scholarship at prep) or a 50%+ scholarship.

According to ds's prep school head I am supposed to come up with a short list of schools I want to consider for ds and I have to submit that list to school after half term. Ds's list is Winchester, Radley and Eton. All of which I would put at the most ambitious. I need to select one of those and also come up with a middle tier and a reserve.

Ds is very much an individual but does well in a structured setting. He currently does flexiboarding and loves the structure and order that accompanies this. We are in the South East (Home Counties) and I'd consider schools that are within a 2 hour drive (Eton is 15 mins).

I feel a bit at a loss to know where to start. We are going to an Open Day at Winchester next month but only because they do an Open Day for boys in years 3 and 4. I had thought I could visit schools in year 5 and discuss with his prep this time next year so I've been a bit gobsmacked at having to do this so early.

[happygardening]

You only need to start thinking at his age if you're considering those that pre test/interview in yr 6 and therefore need early registration. We didn't have any fall back when my DS was interviewed for St Paul's and Winchester because if he hadn't been offered a place at either we wouldn't have wasted our money on anywhere else-- were advised that we still had plenty of time to find a good alternative. Schools like Kings Bryanston Bedales require registration about 18 months before entry. If he's very bright and you don't get a place at say Eton Win Coll etc the chances are he will get an academic scholarship into somewhere less selective registration is the even later for scholarships usually the autumn/spring prior to the year of entry so I wouldn't panic too much. If you definitely can't pay the full fees the next time round then Eton Win Coll Christs Hospital St Paul's and a few others aside you are going to need some sort of scholarship with an attached bursary so I would make sure your head if fully aware of this. Music would obviously be the way to go if he's a choirister less of a gamble than art. As well as the child I mentioned above we know of a couple of the children with very clear talents who failed to get art scholarships I suspect it's a more subjective opinion and the portfolio you submit is very prescribed and may not suit those who have have developed at an early age a very unique style.

[happygardening]

Sorry crossing out failed. Was trying to say we wouldn't have wasted our money on anywhere else

[MarathonMama]

Have you looked at Sevenoaks? I know it's co-ed but we were bowled over by the art facilities. Also, they have Sat school and lots of boarders stay for the weekend.

[musu]

Sevenoaks would be an option if it were closer. Wrong side of London for us and I want to have a fighting chance of attending school matches.

Ds wants boys only full boarding. He has experience of boys only and co-ed preps and he's said he'd prefer not to do co-ed.

Based on old boys I know I think ds has the character for Winchester but he will need to show his prep that he has the academics to try for it. It's all very well being told he's 'bright' but if it isn't translated into exam results or Cat scores it is meaningless. The last cat type tests ds did in year 2 he refused to actually do the tests. I think he has grown up a lot since though.

[musu]

I've also told ds he should be aiming for a music scholarship rather than art as that will widen his options.

[BonnyBronwen]

There are a couple of schools not too far from me that may be worth a look although maybe too far distance wise.

Monmouth Boys School
Its supposed to be quite academic, no idea how good they are with art but link should take you straight to the art section. The fees are very very reasonable. Several boys from my DCs prep went here full boarding and have settle very well and I have been told the boarding is very good. They also offer very good financial assistance and have several scholarships on offer.

Malvern We looked here for our DC but fees were a bit of a stretch. They do have lots of scholarships on offer. Again boarding is fab. I know several families that send their DC here and only hear good things.

[LIZS]

musu, that is true but in some cases you can get an All Round scholarship based on excellence in 2 disciplines which carries greater value than one alone.

[Wuldric]

Year 4

I'm sorry but who has a clue whether or not their child has genuine artistic talent in Year 4? Musical talent is different, it manifests very early, but art? Seriously?

I agree with the advice to widen to music. Is there a chance of an academic scholarship?

[musu]

I doubt ds would be able to find the time to put the work in needed to gain an academic scholarship on top of the commitment required for his chorister duties. All rounder may be a good option too. Scholarships for the year 8 choristers seem to be mostly music or all rounder rather than academic.

I've been told that ds is a highly talented artist and that shows in the work he produces. He's good at music and enjoys it but his passion is definitely art.

I know someone with dcs at Monmouth and they are very happy but that and Malvern are just that bit too far.

Two of the schools I think I will look at are Dauntsey's and Bradfield for a less academic choice but I wonder whether they are more weekly boarding and of course it is co-ed.

It seems easier to rule schools out rather than in. I won't be looking at Harrow, Marlborough or Wellington based on highly personal prejudice of knowing people who have gone there or sent their dcs there!

[musu]

Wuldric I feel just like that. I really feel I am being asked to come up with choices a year ahead of what I thought I'd have to. I was looking forward to doing a few school visits in year 5 and working out whether to register ds for any year 6 pre-tests and having a further look in years 6 and 7. How wrong I was.

Mind you I think if I contacted Eton and Radley and asked to visit when ds is in year 5 they will both laugh and tell me to come back in year 6.

[happygardening]

Dauntsey nice school not "smart" like it's neighbour Marlborough a mum a I was chatting too last year is very pleased with it but as usual a mixture of day/weekly/full boarders with the latter very much in the minority. A mum a few weeks ago at a sports thing her DS has just started at Bradfield again very pleased with it but no full boarders their only disappointment.

[musu]

So outside the 'names' it's pretty hard to find real full boarding? I think I'd rather work on the basis that ds can't come out at weekends than has to come home because not enough boarders.

If ds is clever enough Eton would be perfect. So close that I could easily get to school matches without any planning.

[happygardening]

Uppingham is only full boarding lots of county set type parents and a bit of a haul for you.
Harrow? Again all full boarders. Marlborough and Kings Canterbury the vast majority are full boarders ditto St Edwards.
Full boarding in the true sense of the word like Eton Win Coll Radley Harrow and boys only has fallen from favour so you're going to find it hard to find many outside of these 4.

[BoffinMum]

Bedales isn't particularly competitive, that's true, but their skill with lazy teens is second to none. And the art really is breathtaking. But you have to be a bit relaxed to cope with the first name no uniform thing.

[happygardening]

Boffin interesting the laziest although exceptionally bright teen I've ever met did not do well there.Ultimately your DC has to be happy what makes one happy isn't what makes another happy this does not have to mean a school is good or bad it many just not work for your individual child.
OP I completely understand that you're looking for full boarding but you do need to be aware that even at full boarding school alot go home for the day on Sunday. At Win Coll which is very inflexible about things like this they are only allowed out after Sunday chapel so depending which Sunday it is never before 9 30 sometimes after 11.30 (I think). But I was listening last year to a friend whose DS is at Eton they are much more flexible I think she said her DS can sometimes come home on Saturday evenings and I know at other "full" boarding schools they can have extra leave outs weekends on top of the exeat especially as they go up through the school. I believe in the upper 6th at Kings Canterbury you can go out every weekend on a Saturday. Also IME experience unless your list driving as your main hobby or have a quick train link on your doorstep (in my dreams ours is 2 1/2 hours and three changes and we're in the next county) ) you need to be as close as possible to even a full boarding school otherwise your driving down to pick them up on a Sunday morning and taking them back in the evening all of which takes up a considerable amount of your time. So in a way weekly boarding might suit you better at least you know you can take them out on Saturday afternoon. My advise do establish exactly what the arrangements are.

[musu]

If they are allowed out on Sunday then Eton would be perfect and our routine would stay the same between prep and senior school and he'd be able to come home for the afternoon if he wanted to.

I think I will have to go and have a look at Bedales. Ds does well when he is inspired and motivated. The individuality of Winchester would suit him but I imagine he would need to be top of his year/top of his class to stand a chance of getting a place there and he isn't.

[happygardening]

OP The head of Win Coll plan is to turn it into a "international centre of academic excellence" from looking at their website it would appear they are increasingly recruiting from abroad in particular the China Japan etc I'm not sure how this will effect UK children but I suspect make them more selective.

[BoffinMum]

Oo happy, what happened to them next?

[BoffinMum]

Re Bedales kid, I mean.

[acebaby]

I think I saw on one of your other threads that your DS only started at this school this year, and is also a chorister (and perhaps a boarder) for the first time? Is this right? If so, I would be tempted to let him settle for a bit longer before even discussing senior school choices with the school. And I wouldn't discount any of your or your DS's choices at this stage. He must be still finding his feet at the new school, even seems confident on the surface, and is happy.

My DS1 started a new school this year (year 3), and is only just now beginning to settle properly and show his abilities. And he has had much less of a change than I imagine your DS has had.

[musu]

Thanks acebaby I think you are right. From what I can ascertain so far ds is proving to be something of an enigma to his new school teacher. However I've not spoken to her about ds's progress since early Jan and will most likely miss the first parents' evening in year 5 so I'll have to arrange a meeting with the school at some stage. If the school are as keen as they say to receive senior school options I assume they will chase me. I guess they want to manage parents' expectations, which is fair enough.

[pierpressure]

Have you considered Brghton College?

[musu]

I hadn't thought of Brighton College but it is within travelling distance so I'll have a look, thanks.

[ohdearnevermind]

Frensham Heights has is amazing for art- more weekly boarders than full but they are changing how their boarding houses are structured so this may change? Fantastic music department as well.

[acebaby]

I guess that the school also need to ensure that parents have open days and registrations etc in hand for schools whose lists close in year 5. If your DS 's teacher doesn't really 'get' him, all the more reason to wait.