I do not follow an idea that university is the goal of education.
Once you're in the Uni, number of lectures per week reduces dramatically if you compare it with the ones in secondary school. The differences are greater in selective Uni. This means that students have more time to control, and it's their decision. I saw significant numbers simply lost their interests in their subject. While all may have had the similar A-level scores, how much you take benefit out of the Uni life are very different.
So-called selective Uni is the place for "self-motivative" pupils with "ability", but many focus on "ability" because it is thought to be measured by exam score and easy to compare it with others. (I guess how to measure "ability" is beyond the scope here)
I am a great believer that the personality is made during adolescent period and it can be manipulated at some degree if not all. Right combinations of ingredients, such as some discipline, competition, appraisal, physical activity, social skills, pastol care, etc, would make DC appropriate person for Uni and for our society.
To me, objective of education for DS is in his teenage period. I hope that DS would have his own thought and interests for the rest of his life with his own decision when he's ready for Uni. I'd trust his decision whatever he choose by then. If his school comes with social network, it would be an asset.
I'm sure majority parents are able to manage their DC's sensitive and vulnerable period, with different approaches with different opinions. And I applause to those of you who successfully brought their DC on the right path even without sending them to well-known schools. If there is higher chance for us to achieve the same with your method(s), I'd follow it. Until now, I believe sending him a well-known termly boarding school would give higher probability for the right results. Nonetheless, my option is still open.