Harrow School - what are the alternatives if the Waiting List doesn't clear??

[Trix2323]

Hi everyone, DS is on the Waiting List for admission to Harrow. I need to find an alternative school just in case. Any suggestions and infomation about alternatives would help. Schools that have been suggested are Shrewsbury, Uppingham, St. Edwards, Kings Cantebury and Stowe. I cannot visit them all and need to get an offer of a place before March. How can I choose between them?

Oh yes, Malvern has day students. But I'm not sure why you want all boarding - do such schools even exist? The boarding community at Malvern is massive - it seems odd to write off schools because they have some day students too

Trix you will have to call St Edwards. It is becoming increasingly popular. I don't know if they will have spaces for Sept 2012. They've just sent out their Sept 2013 offers. The CE pass mark is 55%. Did you not have a plan B when your DS sat for Harrow in year 7?

Have you considered deferred entry. Apparently there are two boys at my son's prep on deferred entry to Winchester and will be a year older than their cohort. I've queried it with my son but he's convinced it is the case.

I also don't think you should underestimate the KS. There are many questions that have no right answer and it is seeing how the child responds to the question is of more importance. After Westminster it is the most oversubscribed scholarship and there are, sadly, a number of companies in London that tutor heavily for the exam.

St Eds has about 750 children of those just over 100 are day but they have to stay till 9 pm no weekly flexi boarders. The only full boarding schools with no boarders; maybe Eton and Radley. Win Coll has 4 day children I don't know how picky your being.

Stowe (snort).

Thanks to everyone who gave helpful contributions. Malvern - looks great. IB as an option sounds good. St Eds - will have the PS head call on Monday.

On the issue of some day students vs all-boarding - thanks TD and HG - the questions and comments here made me see that what matters is a critical mass of full boarders, so that there are plenty of activities evenings and weekends.

MS - my original "Plan B" was continuing at the local school. Boarding at the prep school has turned out to be such a great experience for DS that even if he doesn't get to Harrow, I now want to consider other boarding schools for Class 9.

My dd will be going to Stowe this September. Before you listen to people's snorts, go and have a look. It may not be super selective academically but my understanding from friends is that the bright are pushed and do exceptionally well there. The sport is fantastic, Darren Gough is the cricket coach and they have had great success with the rugby. The head is inspirational , the surroundings beautiful , the art, music and drama are all strong and over 90% of children board.We wanted a traditional school with an emphasis on the individual and somewhere where we felt dd would be happy. She's very bright but didn't feel the need to find the 'top school in Britain',just somewhere where the fit was right for her. I don't think you can tell this unless you look around a school. We were impressed by the friendly relaxed atmosphere of the school and the kids there all seemed really happy. Happy school hunting !

Coldglassofwine, I have no idea whether Stowe is a good school or not. I was snorting because whenever I think of Stowe the image of those upper class twits in Fresh Meat springs to mind. Obviously it's only fiction and I'm sure the pupils at Stowe are lovely but it does make me giggle.

A boy at my DS2 old prep got off the waiting list. Dont know where he was on it but he was offered a place fairly soon after being offered a waiting list place.

Stowe is full for this year afaik (I also wouldn't want to send a child there personally).

I rather think Oundle might be full too.

I have heard good things about Uppingham

You may find you don't have many choices at this stage though.

We have recently (within last couple of weeks) got children in on late entry at St Edwards and Bloxham. I know of someone who has only just registered with Uppingham too.

Mapsu, what year is your son due to start? 2012 or 2013?

manicinsomniac, are the examples you have of late entry for 2012? And could you tell us more about Uppingham?

I heard that Harrow sometimes tell people in late summer of the year of entry, which is not only after deposits have been paid, but also a full term's fee at an alternative school.

has any one heard from st pauls for sept 2013 (reserved list)...
has there bin any movement in the reserved list