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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Winchester College - Town & Gown relations

13 replies

HoarseHorse · 03/05/2014 16:08

Hello everyone at Win Coll!

DS has a firm place at Win Coll in September 2015 and is looking forward to going very much. He is not big for his age so here is the DIV question:

What is the current situation vis-a-vis Town and Gown relationships? We bring up DS to get on with everybody and want to check whether Winchester College boys have any difficulties with the local boys. We assume that there is harmony with everyone, but if there are any likely difficulties we would love to know about them.

DH and I would much prefer for our DS not to be the object of envy whilst at Win Coll. We would hate for him to be a target of any kind...advice much appreciated.

Thank you.

OP posts:

happygardening · 03/05/2014 16:38

My DS (just about to finish his third yr) has never commented on any difficulties between the Win Coll boys and the local boys.
He goes into Winchester fairly regularly and has never reported any problems from anyone. They don't wear uniform but he suspects that shops know exactly who they are, possibly because they often go earlyish afternoon when others are in school.
Frankly I just don't see it as an issue.

Original poster

HoarseHorse · 03/05/2014 17:10

Really relieved to know that, Happygardening. Thank you for this insight. Looks as if Win Coll still helps boys to be polite and affable to all. This would explain the continuing healthy and cordial interactions between the college and the cityfolk. Good to know. Thanks again.

OP posts:

MelonKim · 03/05/2014 17:12

ROAR at op
You have no fricken clue

MelonKim · 03/05/2014 17:12

i dont think they would name call or whatever because of ENVY!!

buddyandpip · 03/05/2014 17:43

Probably best if you find another school for your son…..one more place left for my son who is in the waiting list!!

Lemonsole · 04/05/2014 12:50

They stick out like sore thumbs because not many other 13 year olds stroll into town in tweed jackets, not because of the time of day.

Lemonsole · 04/05/2014 12:51

"The cityfolk"?

happygardening · 04/05/2014 13:53

My DS does not wander into town in a tweed jacket because he doesn't possess one. He wanders into town in jeans/t shirt/hoodie, I was recently having lunch in Winchester, I saw a quite a few Wykamists not one was in a tweed jacket all were dressed in a pretty similar way to my DS.

grabaspoon · 04/05/2014 13:58

I live in Winchester. I wouldn't be able to tell which boys are from which schools. Obviously you see them enmasse in uniform around the area where the school is but generally you're not aware of them.

Lemonsole · 04/05/2014 14:48

Not all of them do change into civvies, though. And they do stand out when they don't.

Some of them stand out because they are able to wear shorts and flip flops in March; free from the constraints of their parents' common sense

happygardening · 04/05/2014 15:03

My DS might be one of the shorts and flip flop brigade , he would say free from parental interference, it's his choice, his feet/legs not mine.
Even if my DS when into town in his school uniform he still wouldn't be wearing a tweed jacket and neither would most of his house mates as far as I can see.
As far as I can see some seem to be keen to patronise the vintage shop, in particular the 70's look, flares 70's garish colours etc seems popular with a few or alternatively the Oxfam shop. Wykamists are not natural conformists that's what makes it work for us.

Lemonsole · 04/05/2014 15:09

Exactly - but the OP asked whether they stood out. And the answer is, yes: they often do. It tends to be a few of the younger ones who stay in their formal dress. By MP most can't wait to get out of it.

However, the OP can rest assured that her son won't be looked on with envy. The College boys are just another group in a city with a lot of tribes and identities.

Original poster

HoarseHorse · 04/05/2014 17:43

Thanks so much to all those providing the helpful feedback. Much obliged. Much relieved.

For context, I was at a state school and never had issues with anyone at all, I only ever wanted to be treated fairly and with kindness. However, DH was always at private school and recalls the serious problems that some of them had with the local boys from time to time. DH and some of his pals were often called snobs and physically threatened, the crime was simply to be at a private school (they were carefully camoflaged in their tweed jackets per school rules...). DH was sent there and had no choice in the matter so it all seemed so unfair when it was his turn to be confronted with a fast moving bovver boot and an unfriendly fist. Hence the question which I hope was not taken in any elitist way - elite we are not.

What a relief to know that in Winchester at least people seem to be so much more at ease with each other. The way it should be in the 21st century where all people matter whoever they are.

Again, thanks to all those who have provided reassuring and helpful counsel.

OP posts:

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