Gordons School vs Independent School

[tachetastic]

We are looking at various independent senior schools for our DS who is extremely sporty but not very academic. Our personal circumstances mean that if we applied to Gordon's School in Surrey we would be likely to get a place (i.e. we are very high in the list of priorities in the event of over-subscription).

My question is whether anybody has experience of Gordon's and how it compares to independent schools in terms of academics, pastoral care and sporting facilities. We would be looking at full boarding.

In all honesty, we can afford an independent school, but I find the chances of saving 130k+ over the life of DS's education attractive. I mean, even just giving that sum to him as a gift on the day he graduates would be an amazing start in life. That said, given we have been very lucky to be in a position where we can send him to an independent school, I don't want to spoil his chances of a good education (including all the social, pastoral and sporting benefits) at the best school we can afford.

For comparison, the independent schools we are likely to be looking at along with Gordon's are (in ascending order of fees) King's Bruton, Blundell's, Sherborne, Canford and Millfield.

Do you know how many full boarders there are at Gordon's? I thought not many, (could be wrong) so if you want to go full boarding I would check that before you go any further. Miserable to be one of a few. I'd also add Cranleigh to your list.

Officially just under 1/3 boarding from Year 9 (40 boarding places plus 88 day places). If people stay weekends that still means 20 boys in each year, but yes that is very different to a Sherborne or a Millfield.

I will take a look at Cranleigh. Thanks.

Or you could look at it a different way of course- in year 11 when you’re wanting to revise quietly or a bit later than your roommate it is a bonus if you get to have the room to yourself for the night…..
gordons weekly boarders go home Saturday lunch time so it’s one night difference.
with all the boarders over all the year groups in the different houses, there’s always someone about for a football game.

Hi tachetastic , what did you decide? How does Gordon's compare to a private school?

Hi there,

To be honest, we're not there yet as my DS is still in Year 5. The reason I was looking so early was because we were looking at options for my DD. Gordon's was already full for her year because she was already in senior school but we had to move, but we thought we would consider it for DS when his time comes.

Increasingly though, I think we will go with an independent boarding school within a couple of hours of our home in the south west. I enjoy being able to yell from the touchline at twice weekly matches too much. 🏉🏑🏏🎾😁