Winchester College

[dumsor]

DS wants to go Winchester College in 2018 when he will be 13? Understand he will have an interview next year? What prep is needed if any? Thanksxx

Very little, the interview generally last about 1 1/2 hours it's pretty informal, so plenty of time for your DS to relax and demonstrate his qualities and abilities. When my DS did it nearly 6 yrs ago (where has the time gone) there were no tricky questions to catch you out, HM's all do it differently, they ask different questions and do different tests, DS's friend did a comprehension; he was asked to read a passage/poem and then they discussed it, I think my DS did a piece of descriptive writing and some math but it was only a 15-20 minute (max) part of the whole interview. I think he started off having an very informal chat talking about family etc, even looking round the boarding house at the same time, did the written test bit then continued with the informal chat. Very stress free we could hear them both laughing when we picked him up.

So he is in year 5 now? If so, you need to get going on visiting houses now as you apply a house, not the school and need to do so by the end of year 5 and appointments fill up fast.

They also do a short test (maths and English) at the same time as the housemaster interview, in lent year 6

Thanks happygardening and Michaelahpurple. Very helpful feedback.