Non-sporty boarding/day schools

[boarding23145]

Name-changing as I am a regular poster and this is a bit outing.

DS is currently applying to 13+ schools and as a sporty, academic boy we chose to apply predominantly to boarding schools (Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Tonbridge etc). We also have a few London day schools on the list.

Sadly due to a permanent injury he will no longer be able to play any sports and I feel most boarding schools will not suit him any more. As a very sporty boy, I think it will be traumatic for him to go to a school that places a huge importance on sports where all his friends will be out playing in multiple teams.

Now that our entire list has gone out the window, does anyone have recommendations of weekly boarding/day schools that may suit him?

So far I have:
Winchester
Kings' Canterbury
Reigate
Trinity (?)

I think it might be hard for a kid who IS really keen on sport but isn't able to join in any more. It might be easier for your son to be at a school where arts/academics/other achievements are at least as highly lauded as team sport, if not more so.

That's exactly it. It must be so difficult for him to watch everyone else running the school race or playing the matches, as he's usually the one right at the front! I hope to convince DS to do Sevenoaks as it's still a year away!

Have you considered Winchester College @boarding23145?

@Whocouldthatbe

Have you considered Winchester College *@boarding23145*?

We didn’t get an offer sadly!

That's a pity , your son sounds like an ideal fit.
My DS is there and manages to avoid sport. He has a friend from prep school ( another non sporty boy) who is really enjoying Kings Canterbury. It might be worth a look

My DS went to St John's in Leatherhead. They have a lot of very sporty children but lots of options for those who weren't interested! The pastoral care is excellent. No full boarding, weekly boarders and day places.

@Whocouldthatbe Was top of our list, so yes quite disappointed. We received offers from every other school we applied to, so am assuming we picked the wrong house to start with!

Kings Canterbury is on our list as well, but I’ve heard feedback that it’s not as academic as some of the others on the list?

You might be right @boarding23145, I don't know much about the academics there. My son was also accepted at Tonbridge dispute his lack of sporting ability. When he was sitting his pre test we had another tour by two boys , neither were particularly sporty although I know it's more of a sporty school. There seems to be a place for a non sporty boy , I thought it had a lovely feel to it.

OP, my son’s ‘sporty’ day school boasts an old boy paralympian rower. Maybe the right school could support your DS in finding a sport he could do? I would talk to the schools you have on your list about what has happened before ruling them out. I will send you a PM.

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the help and advice! We applied to several schools from the recommendations above and have offers from Harrow, Wellington, Tonbridge, Dulwich, Trinity, Sevenoaks and Kings Canterbury (not sure how we ended up with many from Kent when we were location-agnostic!).

We are leaning towards accepting Sevenoaks as it seems to offer a wide range of sports and activities - they even recommended DS take up sailing and shooting during the interview. The school did not come across as sports-heavy like some of the others. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the Saturday school. Any further insights welcome!

That’s a great set of offers to have!

If it helps, ours does Saturday school and the kids love it. Means they get to see their friends every weekend, more time for fun activities overall, gets them up and out of the house rather than just slobbish around. We had doubts about it but actually it’s fine.

I remember this thread originally- I hope your son is doing ok and am glad to hear that he's got such a good range of offers. I had Saturday school growing up and it was absolutely fine- a positive, if anything. It doesn't seem too burdensome as everyone else is doing the same and it allows a bit more slack in the week which can mean more time on extra/super-curriculars, pastoral time etc. (Also with my parental hat on, I think having only one night a week to worry about them out at parties as they get older is a benefit!)