Wellington College, Crowthorne v Reddham House

[GoodLuckAll29]

Hi, looking for a current parent view of Wellington College or Reddham House on the usual stuff parents are worried about - academic achievement, ethos, pastoral care, drugs / bullying issues / strictness on relationships between students. Also is rugby compulsory for boys and how would a non-rugby boy get on? Thanks so much.

Damian Hurley goes to Wellington and, with that face and hair, I doubt he plays much contact rugby. But I might be wrong.

Unless the boy is physically unable I think it's near impossible to get out of playing rugby for at least the first three years. There are tonnes of other co-curricular activities though. So long as he loves to be busy all the time he should be all right. Be careful picking a house though.

Thank you Jossina. Can you explain/advise on picking a house...it would be much appreciated.

If he doesn’t like rugby then try Oundle as he can go rowing instead.

Each house, where you son will live and may eat, what will be his family at school, has very much it's own vibe, traditions and facilities. All houses are not created equal. My best advice would be to talk to the college and tour a few houses.

I am not a parent of a boy at either school but my DS is playing cricket at Wellington today and I'm very sad that I can't join him because the teas last year were amazing!

Wellington have a very strong cricket representation, does your DS like cricket?

Thank you all for your helpful thoughts and advice and happy to hear more views also as it’s a big decision

Those are two totally different schools. With regard Wellington it used to be that everyone played rugby regardless of whether they wanted to or not. That is no longer the case. There are other sports they can play instead - as long as they are playing a sport. As said by another, all Houses are different and boys stayed fiercely loyal to their House so it's worth looking at some although no one is guaranteed unless they have a sibling in a House already.

Thanks for your advice, InterestedInStuff. Are you able to outline the differences between the schools based on your experience - it would be most helpful.

The academic requirements for entry are quite different. WC is oversubscribed so very competitive for entry in Year 9 (pre testing starts in Year 6). Even more competitive for 6th Form.