We have DS2 who is in Year 5; bright, competitive but quite lazy, excellent communication skills, sporty and out going. We have asked for senior schools guidance and our HT has said 'any school would be pleased to have him'. For both our children they suggested Rugby, Oundle, Uppingham. We have closer public schools but they are a bit less academic and still very expensive.
We had planned for DS2 to follow DS1 (year 8 currently) to the local day school. He is a bit brighter than DS1 (but lazier and needs competition to push him on), more sporty and finds friends more easily. He flexi boards but is quite a home bird.
He has a friend in the year above who is lining up to go to Winchester and suddenly taking an interest in Winchester. So the question is - is it worth to look at Winchester? Its an eye watering £45k per year. What added value do you get over a £15k a year middle of the road co-ed day school? (I'm hoping £30k worth but wondering what this £30k is..). Would Winchester be a good option for him or too pushy? What is the sport like at Winchester? How often can they come home?
The other alternative is state boarding at a grammar school which is £15k per year and he could weekly board.
Our local comp is going through a torrid time - dire maths, english and science teacher off sick for two years, no boys PE fixtures so not an option. Several families we know have left this year and moved to private schools so this is not an option for us. No outstanding state schools less than 1 hour drive away..