Applying to Eton, Harrow, and Winchester

[DeTamble]

I am considering applying to Eton, Harrow, and Winchester.

My son has not yet reached the registration cut-off dates, he has a December birthday, and is in the state system. Without making this long, he's a bit of a chameleon and would be okay in any of them. It's too late for us to go the Prep route, as I can't seem to find any schools which accept boys late and also give out the necessary bursary we would need.

Has any one got any experience about applying to those three schools? Yes, I know I can call the schools, but I want to hear from 'real' people and their experiences. Also, do people even apply to that many schools, and what happens if you get conditional places to each? Any other details? Any knowledge of the realities of coming from the state system?

Another two in the mix: Oakham I understand offers bursaries and gets generous reviews on MN. Marlborough offers bursaries to children of the clergy!

Abbingdon which has boarders and I think starts at 11 although the heads not everyone's cup of tea offers bursaries as does Whitgift which has recently opened a boarding house. Neither are proper all full boarding schools but very popular especially Whitgift on here.

We went to Abingdon's open day last weekend and loved it. The only full boarders they have are from overseas and mostly not expats. Also I think they said only a third if the school do any kind if boarding (weekly or full, no room for flexi boarding). The boarding houses are home to full, weekly and day boys where they meet for registration etc, which I think is good in terms of helping integration.

The head seemed to be very popular with the boys I spoke to. My one concern was its popularity has seen it grow rapidly. 190 in year 9 compared to 120 in year 11. This means a growth in class sizes from 15 to as many as 27, which seems rather large to me.

27? That seems very large for an independent school. Awesome rowing results definitely the place for a keen and talented rower.

That's straight from the lovely boy who showed us round - his maths class is this large. Obviously not all the classes are that size but the fact that they think it is okay to have a maths class that large is concerning. It seems to be a very popular and oversubscribed school. The open day was rammed.

Perhaps it doesn't matter so much in math. DS2 biggest class is math (17/18I think) he feels it's better this size because they all spark off each other. Cant say I ever sparked off my fellow classmates in math mine were about 24 big enough to keep a low profile in the back row!

Talk to Local parents about schools in Harrow by visiting our Local site for Harrow, here: local.mumsnet.com/Talk/harrow/local-active

DeTamble, I would like to get in touch with you. I have PMed you.

Fingers crossed ( that you respond).