We are currently in the process of looking at senior schools for DS1 (currently year 5) and need some advice. He is extremely bright and his school thinks he would fit in very well at a school like KCW or Royal Grammar School in Guildford. However, a little part of me is worried about the long daily commute (he would travel from Esher) and the fact that all his classmates would be from a hugely wide radius...so will he feel isolated when he gets home and is expected to start ploughing through all that homework. I'm also wondering whether or not these very academic schools will provide a well rounded education. DS1 is very into lots of different sports ( a solid "A" team player but by no means a superstar) and also loves art, music and drama - essentially he likes to be busy and is into everything! I need some reassurance that these day schools can provide all these opportunities as I would hate him to just be focused upon work. As an alternative we have been looking into some weekly boarding options too .....the head of his prep has suggested Brighton College as an alternative but I know next to nothing about it. I was wondering if any fellow mnetters had any advice on the pros and cons of day versus weekly boarding, and also on these particular schools.
Sorry for such a "vague" question but all views and opinions welcome!
BTW - We have completely ruled out complete boarding.