Any ideas for a schools which would suit a gentler kind of boy?

[GaribaldiGirl]

One of my DC has always been lacking in confidence and has a tendency to be slightly anxious. Definitely not a macho/alpha male. He doesn't particularly enjoy conventional school sports - or ball sports in general, although he is active and loves being outside and physical (loves off road cycling, shooting, climbing). He's fairly average (or lazy) academically. We live in Oxfordshire but would consider weekly boarding.
Most his peers seem to be going to Abingdon or Radley, definitely not right for my boy. Liked The Oratory, but need to get a broader view.
Any ideas appreciated!

Yes we were told Wardens list boys tend to be sparky boys who are interesting to teach. (not really ds, but who knows.....). If that fails, he will go for a scholarship entry nearer the time.
The only thing that put me off - which I posted on MN at the time - was that I asked the boy showing us round what one thing he would change about the school, and after quite a while thinking, he said "the heirachy amongst the boys". I pressed him further and he meant between the older boys and the younger ones. It's bothered me ever since.

I asked about bullying and both boys (who were second years - Removes?) said that it is dealt with very promptly. I always ask that question on our school visits and I've had a range of answers.

Ds is definitely a 'sparky boy' but because of that I think he is not the easiest boy to teach. We were told that they have 90 boys on the Warden's List of which 30 are easy to dismiss (on the basis that their application is a bit of a last ditch attempt to get a place). That leaves 60 boys for 30 places, which seem pretty good odds. What I'm not sure of is whether getting a place via the Warden's List gives you access to a bursary or whether you have to get a scholarship for that. We would need a stonking contribution to fees similar to the one ds currently gets at his prep.

bisjo - remind me what year your ds is currently in.
Which Social did you look round? Wardens List boys are allocated socials so you don't get to chose. Check out the Foundation Awards on the web site, and start talking to the bursar!!!!

Sorry OP will PM bisjo so we don't hijack thread anymore.

Oratory might be a little too roughy-toughy for your DS. Also, huge social divide between the 'haves' (£450 for a new pair of trainers and the latest laptop each term) and the 'Povs' (school slang for those pupils whose parents spend every last bean on school fees, with nothing left over toward toward the £4k annual cricket tour to Barbados, and some...). High staff turnover.

My friends have been impressed with Rugby. We looked at Bloxham for our DD and it was a definite no go. It felt like a boys school with girls added. We felt it was too isolated but could suit some. We felt it was a local school. We also have a friend whose child was tormented at Uppingham. He ran away! They had massive bullying problems there. This was a few years ago but it was very distressing. He was very happy at a day school after this experience.

Schools will tell you what you want to hear by the way. I have looked around umpteen schools who say they are the bees knees at pastoral care. If they have a useless housemaster/mistress it all goes wrong. They have favourites, dislike others, don't notice or do anything about bullying, do not apply sanctions fairly etc etc. I actually came to the conclusion that choosing a school on its pastoral care performance is virtually impossible. I think gut reaction is as good as it gets.