'Energy Levels' at senior boys boarding schools

[cherie32]

Dear mums

I'm trying to finalise my shortlist of schools I am registering my son for. He goes to a very busy/active prep school that boards in the last 2 years, as a way of gently introducing them to boarding life (whilst they're still amongst friends they've known during primary years).

What excites me the most about senior boarding is the breadth of experiences it can bring with it, in terms of responsibility, social development, as well as other intellectual activities (e.g. social/philosophical/political/debating clubs and societies) that help open the minds and shape personalities, far beyond the standard academic and main sports/music curriculum.

Now all the reputable boarding schools and day schools will have a million and one options to choose from. But in my opinion, the difference is between the school where lots of extra-curricular intellectual activities are the school's norm and therefore you're naturally sucked into it (I'll call these the 'high-energy' schools for purpose of this discussion), while other schools will offer all the possible options but leave it to you to pursue them if you're really interested/motivated (I'll call these the more laid-back schools for lack of a better term).

In both types I recognise that multitudes of options are available, and never forced. Boys are lucky to get into either, but each style will be suitable for a different kind of boy.

Out of the list of schools I have been to visit I would categorise them as below:

• 'High energy' schools (that suck you into a busy schedule beyond the basic academics/sports/music quite naturally): Eton, Westminster, Harrow, Wellington College (with last two having extra-busy activities mostly sports focused, while first two both intellectually and sports focused)
• Schools that are more laid back, and you can if you wanted to, stick to basic academics/games - less busy/energetic in general: Radley, Winchester, Tonbridge, St Paul's

This is my mental model based on doing open days at the schools and the perception that created, as well as what I've read so far in forums etc. Its not based on direct experience from boys having studied at these schools. I'm therefore putting the question out there to see how much mums would agree or disagree with this categorisation based on their direct experience of the schools.

Very much looking forward to you opinions..

St Paul's is not a boarding school. It has a "dorm" but no boarding ethos and the majority of boys are day students.

Hi njshore, you're right St.Paul's is a day school, and so probably not right to compare it to the boarding schools.

Listed it purely because its one of the leading schools and often compared to Westminster. But indeed a day school cannot have enough hours in the day to offer the same breadth of activities or 'level of energy' (as per y definition above), therefore possibly not fair to list and compare.

My DS is in his third year at Winchester and I would certainly class it as energetic. As far as I can see he couldn't fit another thing in between lessons, working before classes in the morning as he is so determined to stretch himself academically as far as possible, sports for the house and school, societies showing foreign films or offering talks in the evenings etc. He is fully occupied at all times and encouraged to be so in all areas of school life. Even non musicians compete in inter house singing etc and have involvement in house performances of various types.

I don't think I really agree with your distinctions. Schools always encourage pupils to do extra curricular, follow interests and get involved. If the schools were laid back, no-one would do anything - this is patently not the case at schools you describe as laid back. In addition,unless Harrow has changed out of all recognition, there is so much more than sport on offer!

I think that your impressions are rather far off the mark. Boys at all the full boarding schools in your list will be kept very busy, indeed particularly in the younger years. There are house competitions in sports and arts as well as junior plays that will involve all the boys. Having said that it is natural that even a year 9 should have autonomy to select activitues that most interest them. For example a serious musician or sportsman may not have time to do much extra on top of their speciality apart from participation in house activities. It is also natural that some boys will try to do as little as possible preferring computer time but a good housemaster will keep them gainfully occupied.

I agree with send summer - from what I know of boys at those schools ( and don't know boys at all of them ) I think you have a view which I don't recognise. But that's entirely his choice - not mine

You def need to add Oundle into the 'high energy' group. They have an amazing schedule and lean very quickly to become super organised to fit it all in! Have a look at the Trivium programme at the school!

OP I think I can see what you mean re less busy and Winchester. It offers a massive variety of activities to suit all taste/interests but most are largely down to the individual to participate outside of lessons little is compulsory. My DS had friends who did very little through most of their school life. Although I should add there is a new head and things may be changing. But this is unusual IME most boarding schools have compulsory sport at last three days a week, and even compulsory attendance at extra curricular clubs.