ETON
OP asks many questions about this school and so I'm afraid the answers are going to be long.
What's it really like?
The school is to all intents and purposes an ordinary public school just like any other public school on the one hand, and yet it is pretty unique on the other, IYSWIM.
Ordinary public school:
Like most great schools, the fundamental objective of the school is to draw out and to develop to the fullest (and beyond) the potential of a boy so that he could confidently face the world in later life and hopefully makes a difference to it.
Uniqueness of the school:
A medieval school from the Middle Ages it has never forgotten its foundation principles e.g. some quirky ceremonies are still being practised today and yet its ultra modern facilities in learning support, both equipment and human, are second to none. It has a continuous programme to update all its facilities including new construction of buildings to add to its already massive stock. It?s the UK?s biggest public school and yet each of the more than 1300 boys has his own space in the privacy of his own room which is wired with technology to connect to the outside world. There are certain games which derived from the school such as the , the Field Game and Eton Fives and therefore, are seldom played outside the legendary 'playing fields of Eton' from where the Duke of Wellington is famously quoted as saying the Battle of Waterloo was won.
What sort of boy does it suit?
Generally speaking, it suits an all-rounder with a high intelligence and who does not have a chip on his shoulder. The school does not particularly look for a super bright boy though it has within its enclosures many boys of this calibre. Listen to what the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V58rEyuP3FA&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Head Master]] has to say about the boys.
Throughout its 570-year history, it maintains a special elite group, the 70 King?s Scholars (KS) ? the core of its foundation - who generally speaking, set the pace academically for the school. There are also the Oppidan Scholars (OS - ordinary Etonians) who would give the King?s Scholars a run for their money on the academic front just as there are King?s Scholars who would embarrass the most sporty Oppidans on the sports field. For example, the winning Oxford boat team that beat Cambridge recently in their annual boat race had an ex-KS in its team. Aged only 19 and fresh from Eton, he?s one of the youngest oarsmen to have rowed successfully in an Oxbridge boat race ? a budding Steve Redgrave/Matthew Pinsent in the making.
In reality, there?s room for all types of boys; the musicians, the artistes, the sportsmen, the academics and even the stragglers. There were a couple of boys from my DS?s ex prep school who against all odds made it to Eton. I met up with one of them recently and this young man is now a totally different character from his prep school days. I can see him in 30/35 years time wearing the uniform of Britain?s Chief of the Defence Staff. Another testimony to the school?s foresight in its selection procedures!
Is it really worth the additional expense. (not the fees themselves IYSWIM but being at the high end - and on the same theme, are many things billed as extras)
The school fee remains the single killer expense. This is a 5-figure (nett) amount that has to be paid every term unless you?re on a scholarship/bursary of which the school is renowned for its generosity. The other subsidiary expenses are really not an issue at all; no more expensive than (say) a boy who is living at home with his parents, unless he impossibly joins every single club/society/activity that the school has to offer and goes to every foreign trip.
Yes, one pays extra for music lessons and some other activities but don?t forget one does not have to take up any of these. The basic ?extras? are for laundry (uniform is dry cleaned), outings with tutor/housemaster during weekends, subscriptions to periodicals and other miscellaneous items that one can have as many or as little as one wishes. Sportswear is usually purchased in the first year together with the uniform. On average, I would say anything between £500 and £1000 per half [term] ? not including school fee, music lessons and foreign trips ? is normal for an average Etonian. That?s more or less the same amount required had he stayed at home.
How hard is the scholarship exam?
Very hard but worth trying if the boy is very bright.
Has anything in particular surprised/pleased/disappointed you/your son/s?
My biggest surprise is to learn how very down to earth, humble, respectful and efficient the folks are at Eton right from Day 1 and throughout the years. Just randomly ring the school's any which department you want to make an enquiry to judge for yourself. Absolutely no disappointments at all. DS couldn't wait to go back to school after each holiday period.