Of course I wouldn't - Harrow is far superior
Seriously - ds's name is already down for Harrow. Dh went, and he's turned out OK. And he is very unsnobbish - he married me ffs. (althoughy his mother is a terrible snob, even though she was only rich by virtue of marrying a man 30 years older than herself)
It's not just for academically bright kids - Dh only got 1 A level. It does manage to give all kids the education they need though - unlike some London day schools which are academic hothouses. And the sports facilities are second to none (although OE's might disagree) - DH was taught rugby by Roger Uttley and school football matches were refereed by David Elleray. It's also given him a huge amount of confidence - in some OH's this does spill over into arrogance (Mark Thatcher for example) but I think that is more because of the individual than the school.
We intend to live within 1.5 hours of the school. Holidays are longer, and every 3 weeks they have a 4 day exeat. Parents are also welcome to visit at weekends. I do think that it may be easier to have a good relationship with hormonal teenagers if you are not living with them all teh time. i knowmy mother and I would have got on far better if I'd been at boarding school.
Of course, in 12 years time ds may turn out to be not at all interested in going, and I certainly wouldn't force him. Or we may decide that it would not suit his character. But I don't see anything inherently wrong about the concept.
(Oh and both of my children will be in the State system until 11)