Winchester, Sevenoaks, Wellington for 6th Form?

[bohomama]

My DS, now in year 10 in a British school overseas, wants to do his A Levels in UK. Not a bad idea as DH's expat contract is not secured for the next three years. DS is very academic. Does minimal effort and comes out in top sets. Sore point is that he is not thriving at his school despite good grades.
We are looking for boarding schools that will:

1. stimulate him
2. have a big enough intake in year 12 that he won't feel like an outsider

He is musical but not particularly sporty. We have not decided on IB vs A L, nor SS vs Coed. Current schools we are considering are: Winchester Sevenoaks Wellington Any advice would be hugely appreciated particularly as Winchester does not have much info on website regarding the testing process for year 12.

Winchester is full boarding only across all years with a small intake into the 6 th form usually one in each house (there’s 11 houses) it’s very collegiate much more so than the other two. Is is (least it was when my DS was there he left in 2016) very liberal.
It only offers the Pre U generally considered to be harder than A levels the corresponding grades carry more UCAS points I’m told by teachers that do them (not just at Winchester) that they offer a broader more joined up curriculum but they may not be ideal for the super lazy as the generally they are more work. Further math Pre U is notoriously difficult.

Thank you happygardening! That's very helpful. I am not familiar with Pre U and will look it up. One new kid per house is a little scary! Shame because everything else about Winchester seems to be a good fit.

What is his personality like? Might he prefer a school with a bigger intake in sixth form so that he doesn't have to insert himself into existing friendship groups? Sevenoaks is very international which might suit him.

Entrance into all three at 6 th form is likely to be very competitive so you would be wise to apply for a few.
I don’t know exactly what’s happens at Winchester for 6th form entry but for yr 9 entry HM’s select boys on fit for their individual house as well academic ability. The houses are very much individual units so HM’s are very keen to ensure that any one new fits in and will be happy.

Yes ICF, you're spot on. If the intake at WC is 1 per house, it will not suit him no matter how wonderful the school is on other fronts. 7Oaks is strictly IB - so it would need consideration.

I would say he's an 'acquired taste', quietly confident, but not a magnetic and radiantly confident type that can plow through already formed friendships.
Any other academic schools with a large intake at 6th form that are worth considering?

What about Westminster or would he prefer more rural?

My understanding is that Westminster is not geared for boarders. We might still be living abroad. But otherwise would've been a great choice albeit super competitive.

Which Wellington? There are more than one.

You might look at King‘s Canterbury. Music is amazing for a non specialist school and they have a 6th form intake - less competitive than Winchester and Sevenoaks but they still want academic high fliers at this stage. It is also full boarding which is a plus if parents are abroad. The sport is great but you do not have to be sporty to fit in.

If you are a UK/EU national you could also look at Peter Symonds 6th form college - state, boarding and sends more to Oxbridge than most private schools. You will save £££ and be able to play the state school card for university entrance.

Westminster is fine for 6th form boarders.

....but the 6th form entry is mainly girls.

I was also going to mention King's Canterbury (might be a good safety but still academically strong.). Could you also consider Charterhouse? (30 boys and lots of girls join in 6th form). Or Tonbridge? About 20 new boys in sixth form although might not all be boarders. St Paul's might also be an option as I think boarding is more popular there for 6th form (might be more weekly boarders than full boarding though).

LM33 and ICF: Very grateful for the advice! Kings Canterbury, Charterhouse, Tonbridge and St Paul's are all excellent suggestions.

HP: Wellington College

Wellington for six form is lovely. Great fun, not too stuffy and plentiful opportunities for everyone. James Dahl, the new master is really nice and was admission tutor when ours were there. He is one of the reasons we decided on Welly.
One of mine transferred from a comprehensive into sixth form. They found the first fortnight strange having to adapt to boarding, to a new language, to different expectations but were well supported and had a buddy allocated. By the end of the first closed weekend they were definitely part of the house and school.
Music is strong but so are performing arts and sports.

I know someone who teaches at Charterhouse and I am not impressed with the attitude they describe of the head reading the riot act about achievement and revision expectations.

One of ours did mainly IB with two A levels and one did just A levels.

Marlborough has quite a big intake. St Paul’s has boarders nearly all 6 th formers but I suspect competition for a place would be very intense.

My stepson went to charter house from 13 and loved it. I have friends whose sons go to /went to Winchester and that seems to cater to the more individual character. They loved it too. I’m surprised they take so few for sixth form but I don’t know.

Winchester take so few because they can only replace anyone who chooses or us asked to leave at the end if he 11.

”if he 11 = end of yr 11!”

thanks CP - great to hear such a positive personal experience of joining in year 12 and to hear about an inspiring HM. Wellington sounds very appealing but also so hard to get in.

Westminster takes 70 students in year 12 - does anyone know how many of them are boys?

I do no know the current numbers but five years ago it was c60 girls to 10 boys.
This ISI report isischools.devprocess.com/DownloadReport.aspx?t=c&r=EQI7236_20161115.pdf&s=7236
suggests there were 120 girls in the school in 2016 so that would also indicate a 6th form intake of 60 girls.
Competition for places is fierce, particularly so for boys places, so unless your DS is a genius, it would be prudent to have a plan B.

LM33: very resourceful! Thanks! Definitely we need a plan B and a plan C but in the meantime it's therapeutic to dream...

Marlborough has a big intake of girls at 6th form but only a handful of boys who tend to fill the places of those who have left for various reasons. This does mean only 1 or max 2 boys joining a house. Otherwise it is a great school to join for 6th form. I understand that the boys do try very hard to integrate the new students. A boy could also apply for a space in a mixed house if they have one. Then there would be a new cohort of girls joining at the same time.

Happy Wellington parent here. The music is fantastic (classical, jazz and lots of new music as well) and there's a brand new performing arts centre, the Annenberg, which opened last year. A happy school, with plenty going on for a bright child with get-up-and-go. Sport is compulsory, but there's lots of choice. Do DM me if you'd like more info.

I have a little experience of Wellington College. James Dahl is quite new in the job, but seems great; bright, dedicated, fun. The pastoral care seems good too, with some wonderful Heads of Houses. I am told that the school feels rather empty at the weekends, as many students go home. The music department is patchy. The Head of Music is shockingly casual in his attitude, time-keeping etc, and pulls in lots of professional musicians to prop up productions. I would probably make an embarrassing scene about that if I were a parent. Anyway, the rest of the school seems good.

I have less experience of Winchester, but I would love to send a child there. The Head and Deputy Head are both fabulous. For centuries, students have been coming out of Winchester not only with a great education, but with charm and manners too; my choice, without question.

If your dc is an expat perhaps consider full boarding or at least a school where many remain over the weekend though this is sometimes difficult to ascertain. Also check if other expat children are at the school I've found this to be very important as having people around who shared similar experiences can be a real help. Also if the school recognises and is ready to address the challenges an expat lifestyle may bring due to high mobility. Especially if you are remaining abroad whilst they board. Good Luck.