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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

If I like Wellington College, where else might I like?

45 replies

ooerrmissus · 02/03/2015 15:58

Hoping for some thoughts from people who have been through this before! DS1 currently in Year 5 at small prep, doing well academically, working a good year ahead in maths and english, flying in French, excellent in science. Hates sport. Avoids drama. Is learning piano and drums but nothing special musically. Real computer geek, teaching himself computer coding in his spare time. Has mild Aspergers which mainly affects organisational skills.

We have looked at Wellington, loved it, think it will suit him really well. Lots of tech, (i.e. studying robotics in first two years), IB so flexible study-wise. Boarding but not too full on as he needs downtime.

Head has also suggested Marlborough, does anyone know anything about it? Any other ideas? I'd like to have a back up plan in case he doesn't make WC for whatever reason!

Thanks in advance!

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wandymum · 03/03/2015 10:49

As others have said sport is pretty all pervasive at boarding schools so I think your best bet is to aim for one of the super academics.

Your DS will still have to do some sport but at places like Eton, Win Coll, Westminster, SPS academic prowess earns you more respect than sport.

I agree with Summerends that he is likely to indulge his inner computer geek in his own time anyway.

DH is a huge computer geek and was very happy at Win Coll many moons ago. He spent his free time merrily coding in his study but also very much enjoyed CCF etc... when pushed to take part.

happygardening · 03/03/2015 11:18

I was wondering about Eton but decide if rugby was compulsory or not at it's described as a "major sport".

happygardening · 03/03/2015 11:24

wandy at Wn Coll sport is optional after the first couple of terms, according to my DS many do no sport at all.
I just can't help but wonder if a computer geek is going to be very frustrated with not even being allowed a lap top for nearly two years. Win Coll has many sterling features but it's ICT dept is not one of them. Obviously boys do "computer coding" in their spare time but I strongly get the impression that boys are not encouraged to spend too much time on the computer, the school fire wall system is pretty strict so your DS would have to acquire something to bypass it. I would have thought none of this is ideal for the real a computer geek.

Eton2017 · 03/03/2015 11:28

At Eton each term, sorry, half, has a choice of major sports, of which each boy must pick one. Can I do a link? Yes!

wandymum · 03/03/2015 11:30

Ah, must have changed since DS' day happy - he definitely wouldn't have done sport unless forced to but has happy memories of winkies and, rather bizarrely, scuba diving.

Patricia909 · 03/03/2015 11:39

Just wondering why you have decided on a boarding school in the South for your DS when you live up North. Are you looking for full boarding? I would have thought that might be quite challenging for a boy with mild AS. If you are thinking of weekends at home, it will mean him spending a lot of time travelling which can get quite wearing.
Surprised that your Head has suggested Wellington for a non sporty boy. Does he have close links to the school? Westminster does cater for non sporty but is really weekly boarding in the first few years. Have you looked at Bedales? But again few full boarders in the lower years. Can your Head not recommend a school in the north which would allow him to come home at weekends?

happygardening · 03/03/2015 12:07

Here's the link to Bedales computer dept but it is a weekly boarding school so not really doable from the North.
I agree though something closer to home for a boy with mild AS does sound like a good idea. I was wondering about Oundle but rugby is compulsory so that's not much good. Ampleforth? they seem to imply rugby is optional, friends sent their mildly AS DS there and he's very happy. Of course you've got to do the catholic thing although you don't have to be catholic I understand I personally couldn't do it.

Original poster

ooerrmissus · 03/03/2015 12:29

Patricia909 Yes I appreciate it seems odd. There isn't a school within easy day to day travel of where we live which would suit DS1 (there are some very good schools, but not right for him).We started looking further afield, and then further, and then further.... The ones close to us tend to be the tough outdoorsy running on the fells type which would be totally wrong. The one exception is Bootham which we loved but the boarding is pretty grim. Odd that you mention Bedales as the head of Bootham used to be there.

I appreciate what you are saying about the travel however the alternative is 12 hours a week in a car for him, and twice that for me!

It's interesting that most people seem to have focussed on the non-sport side of the OP and not considered too much the AS/ tech side- HappyGardening excepted. We liked Wellington due to the emphasis on Maths science tech etc.

On the AS , it is fairly mild and as I said mostly causes an issue with organisational skills. If all goes according to plan he will start weekly boarding in Year 6 so he can see how it goes in a smaller school and closer to home for a couple of years. If it's a complete disaster we will have a rethink. And possibly move house.

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Original poster

ooerrmissus · 03/03/2015 12:30

Sorry HG no can do the Catholic thing!

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happygardening · 03/03/2015 13:10

I'm told Oundels science dept is outstanding, do you think he might enjoy rugby more at secondary? I guess he's not likely to make it into the 1st, 2nd 3 rd or even 4th 15 so any team he will be in is likely to have a level of playing skill and interest similar to his so he might find it less daunting than he would at a small prep where he could easily find himself playing against a bigger prep with stronger team. There will also be significantly less matches if you're in the lower teams few school can regularly put up more than four teams on a regular basis. Or is it teams sports/games in the freezing cold wind and rain he dislikes?

Original poster

ooerrmissus · 03/03/2015 13:16

Yes Oundle has just appeared on my radar, I'll have a look.

It's the actual exercise he hates I think! He hates indoor sport too.

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Original poster

ooerrmissus · 03/03/2015 13:21

Sorry for the terse post my keyboard has just broken!

He's just the least coordinated child I've ever met. Always has been. To the point he was assessed for dyspraxia: he hasn't got that but he's borderline. Add to that the fact that he doesn't see the point of it and he's pretty reluctant. He does it because he has to and I think when he's not being expected to achieve too much he doesn't mind it too much but he's never going to be a sportsman. As his head of sports told me last week!

Oundle looks promising and I'll check that out. Thanks

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geebie · 03/03/2015 13:32

If you liked Bootham, have you thought about Leighton Park, also a Quaker school, actually very close to Wellington geographically, so in the area you were looking. Sport is important but non-sporty kids aren't out of place by any means, and loads of fab tech stuff going on. Definitely worth checking out!

summerends · 03/03/2015 13:46

Just to add one to the mix if you are further north, Shrewsbury.
Although there is strong sport I know of one boy who has AS, is non sporty dyspraxic and geeky who is very happy there. Rowing and running are strong which I notice that the non sporty boys seem to gravitate to in later years (bit of a surprise really). It is a school which does seem to have a mix of talents and academic aptitudes.
I'm not sure about the computer science there though.

happygardening · 03/03/2015 13:47

Isn't there also a Quaker school in York? Sounds like it would be a bit closer than Leighton Park.

Original poster

ooerrmissus · 03/03/2015 18:15

Bootham is the Quaker school in York, it had a lovely feel to it but the boarding is desperately in need of an overhaul.

We are also going to take a look at St Peters in York.

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DragonRojo · 04/03/2015 14:59

Leighton Park is certainly not big on sport. The more sporty children do play competitively but there are plenty of others who do as little sport as possible and they are not made to feel odd about it.

Original poster

ooerrmissus · 04/03/2015 15:09

Thanks Dragon I'll add that to my list.

Looks like we are going to be busy going to open days for a while!

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Flappingandflying · 04/03/2015 17:51

There's a lovely school in Devon which specialises in sailing and another one in east anglia. I only mention it because my sport hating, AS, very dyspraxic son can sail like a dream and is really good. I'm really sorry, I don't know the names but I am sure a bit of googling might work.

Original poster

ooerrmissus · 04/03/2015 20:30

Thanks Flapping I think I know the Norfolk one you mean although the name escapes me. I am determined to find a sport he enjoys, he quite enjoys riding but isn't brilliant at it. Very good for his posture though. Next on my list to try is golf. I will add sailing on after that! One day something will click!

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