Full Boarding for 6th Form Late Application

[Muchtootall]

For a number of reasons we are considering (at the last minute I know) whether we put our DS into a boarding school next year for 6th form. We realise we are late to the game on this. Since Covid my DS (last DC at home) has had very little social life. I think he would benefit from full boarding school with active social life at the weekend. So preferably not a school with lots of weekly boarders who exit every weekend. He like sports and drama. His grades are solid rather than stellar. Think 6 -8s mainly but predicted 9s in 2 of the academic subjects he wants to study for A level. Would there be any schools still open to a late admission that might suit him?

Hi - my son is sixth form weekly boarder and his school has very few full boarders. They had more last year, but overseas students haven't returned. We know a few others at more traditional boarding schools and now not that many insist on pupils staying over the weekends, so depending where they live there aren't that many full boarders. If you do get to speak to some admissions people, and house masters/parents then do ask in reality how many stay Saturday nights/daytime Sunday. Once sports fixtures complete on Sat, almost all head home and back on Sunday evening/Monday morning.

My DC has moved to a weekly boarding school for sixth form and does like the fact that she has more to do than she would do at a day school although that wasn't the reason for moving. As the PP has said, full boarding may be less common but if you find a school you like, unless it's incredibly hard to get into and over-subscribed, I'm sure more schools will look at late applicants than you'd think.

What area of the country are you looking for?

I'm pretty certain you'll find a place without too much trouble OP. As mummyinatizz mentioned, many schools will be struggling with the loss of many overseas boarders.

Where in the country are you aiming for?

Oundle might suit? They have a large number of full boarders and I've always been impressed by them.

There are not many places for boys at Oundle for 6th Form, his GCSEs mock results and predictions would have to be very good but yes it is one of the only full co-ed boarding schools (1 day house) left now. Stowe, Sedbergh and Ampleforth all have a lot of boarders in at weekends too and are more 'middle of the road' but have good sport and drama.

Uppingham might be a good fit.

St Edwards (Teddies) in Oxford. Lots of full boarders. I agree with a previous poster though that many schools have had seriously depleted numbers of international students this year due to COVID or are they are studying remotely in their own country.

whitgift - excellent in sport and drama - not so strong on the boarding
Wells - not bad for sport and drama (at least in non COVID times) and a good mix of day weekly and full boarders - not that demanding academically.
Millfield for sport again not that academically demanding so long as you can pay.

Bryanston is good for both sport and drama. Although no idea if they have space in 6th form.

Malvern?

Sherborne is definitely full boarding. Not sure if they have room, even during COVID, but it's worth a call.

Oakham does full boarding

Rugby - full boarding, great sport and drama
Uppingham - ditto
Teddies Oxford - not quite so full boarding, but great drama

King's Canterbury - might be too academic?

King’s is a mix of full and weekly boarding now, worth asking them. Uppingham also good but all full boarding.