Harrow v Tonbridge

[Charlie19]

Can anyone give me guidance on choosing a House at Harrow?

Any opinions on the differences of the above schools?

Any information or guidance appreciated.

"When we went to an open morning at Harrow, the HM talked about courage, humility, integrity and fellowship and the housemaster talked about valuing kindness and compassion."

Oh, did they really?

What a whole load of crap they are . . . talking about the opposites of themselves!

This is where I become confused. Admissions and the school insists that it is no longer the case that there is the 'sporty house' musical house etc. This has changed and continues to change? Who are parents supposed to believe. I thought the whole idea of meeting HM was to find a 'mutual match'?

I personally think if your DS is very musical and your HM couldn't identify Bach from Shostakovich and has no interest in music then I think he might be better of in a more musical house.
Again if your HM is a fanatical sportsman and his idea of relaxation is galloping around the rugby pitch in freezing wind and rain or watching past England NZ rugby matches analysing where it went wrong then the non sporty boy could feel he's landed in Mars.
The head at my DS's prep was a cricket nut, during big England matches it was his sole conversation my DS (who lathes cricket) used to say that he he had nothing to talk to him about.

This is an old thread but I am at a similar decision point and wondering if did you choose Tonbridge Charlie19? If yes how was the rest of the process and how are things now? If it was no in the end - why Harrow and not Tonbridge? Thank you!

Bump

Hello, does Tonbridge really empties at weekends?

Overseas boarding boys: which schools do they go to and why? Looking inti sending my 10year old son at 13+ and wondering what would suit best those boys whose parents are overseas. particulalry Asia. and for what reasons. ie co-ed or boys school, and no weekly boarding so he doesn't feel lonely in a school that empties out at weekends. Thanks so much in advance, lovely ladies.

I looked at Tonbridge yrs ago I really liked it (not sure I would now) and the head was very upfront and said that it was primarily a weekly boarding (with 40% day), our prep head also backed this up, he had friends with DS's there. I doubt this has changed in fact there are probably even less now then when I Iooked at it, there are very few proper full boarding schools left, ultimately due to insufficient demand from parents.
The main proper full boarding schools i.e. no weekly/flexi boarding and not too many day I can think of are boys schools: Eton, Winchester, Harrow, Coed: Marlborough, Kings Canterbury, Uppingham, St Edwards ?Oundle and Rugby. There will be others with quite a few full boarding but also a mixture of weekly flexi and day but IMO if you want full boarding choose a proper full boarding school.

Just wondering. Why are you not sure you'd like Tonbridge now HappyG?

I think it's an excellent school I just don't think it would have suited DS2 who's a natural quirky non conformist.

Thanks Happy. Though actually, not sure it's reassuring as suspect I have one of those too! However, it seems a top option if boarding is just not on the table. Luckily we seemed to meet quirky types on each of our visits so that makes me feel it's not all about the XI etc!

I really liked when I looked at it. I liked the head, the boys I met and the staff. At the time we didn't persue the application because we were likely to be moving and therefore would want full boarding.
I'm sure there are lots quirky non conformist types there although I wouldn't say the good burghers of Kent are known for this and there are or at least there were when I looked at it 40% day pupils there.
As you may know DS went to Winchester it's totally unique in its ethos, (I used to work in the independent boarding sector so I've a pretty good inside knowledge of what actually goes on in most school). Winchester's ethos is not for everyone but ultimately it suited DS. This is why I say if I had my time over again and knowing what I know now I'm dont think Tonbridge would have been a great fit for my DS or us a parents

Thank you @happygardening really useful post. I don't suppose you have any first hand / insider insights about Sevenoaks? It's the alternative for us - we're not into boarding.

PS - OOOH and, just for the record , there's an abundance of quirky, non conformist, intellectual burghers (and indeed bumpkins) in wonderful Kent!! You just need to know where to look!!

A vote for Tonbridge here! Only because my lovely DH went there. I've been to the school and the grounds are gorgeous. Would definitely send any future son I have there.

An ex boyfriend of mine went to Harrow. Was up his own arse and to this day keeps going on about how he was in the Bullingdon club at Oxford (like 20 years ago). Blerghhh 😷

I do like the Harrow v Eton alumni games/rivalry though e.g. boxing matches. Fun school rivalry that lasts forever :)

Just saw this is a revived zombie thread

Thanks anyway @AgainPlease

Yes, my DS and our family chose Tonbridge. Dropped everything else and delighted happy with choice. Common entrance in June.