Alternative to Tonbridge….ideas?

[Nextstep123]

Alternative to Tonbridge ?
Any thoughts on a back up school to Tonbridge ? We have registered with Eton but think that will be a push. Love what we have seen so far of Tonbridge but need a back up plan ! Have registered with Wellington College but still feel we need a few other ideas as these schools get so over subscribed. Any other thoughts?
Going to visit Sevenoaks, don’t like Brighton College, not inspired by Harrow on webinars… thanks

Can you explain a bit more about what you like about Tonbridge/ what your son is like? Presumably you've got a preference for single sex, but what else? What are your must haves and "must not haves". Does it need to be full boarding?

Sorry to sound nosey but I really like Brighton College and Bryanston so I sense our instinctive picks wouldn't be the same

Agree with the PP - I think you need to hone your criteria in terms of ethos etc. (For example, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks don't have much in common other than geography - so if you're looking for boarding anyway, then I would have thought there were more similar options).

Would also consider co-ed. Liked the academic rigour at Tonbridge and we also need a strong sports provision. Currently County Cricket and County Tennis. Boarding in South East, not London, prefer more open area and facilities. Outgoing bright very sporty boy. Must have the sport element but not to detriment of academic provision.

@capturedbyasquid having not been to Sevenoaks yet i am curious how you see them as being such different schools ? I am guessing Tonbridge more traditional and Sevenoaks more liberal ?

Yes, partly, in the sense that Sevenoaks is quite consciously modern/international/liberal/non-denominational etc. Tonbridge more traditionally British public school/chapel/house etc. But also two big basic differences are single sex vs co-ed and A levels vs IB. Depends what you're after.

My son has loved his time at Harrow

Bradfield?

@capturedbyasquid thank you.
We both like the traditional and the international element! Open to Co-Ed and Boys only. Guess fear the ‘liberal’ element (which we have at the moment) can allow pupils to be a bit too relaxed and I want an environment where it is cool to learn and manners and being smart and respectful is still treated as important. Having said that I see the importance of adapting to the current world as being essential and love the international element (are at a v international boarding school now).
So difficult !! We made a mistake with DS1 and believed the marketing ‘hype’ at current school and now stuck in a system we don’t like and now need to change paths for DS2

I know the boarding school world quite well. Tonbridge is fantastic. (But as ever a lot depends on who your son happens to have in his house, but that’s the case with any school).

Christ Hospital?

Caterham

Lingfield

Charterhouse?

Lord Wandsworth?

Dulwich College?

Is Oundle too far?

King's Canterbury?

The main whittling down process for me was the child them self . This reduced the choices quite a lot so eg didn't want to board/ a bit immature at year 6 level for 11 +/ benefit of house system for rather an anxious kid/ length of journey, academic...So in theory I liked Brighton as it was mixed but it would have been weekly boarding which they wouldn't do and the day journey was too long. That DC is not really a sportsman but loves games so a school with loads of opportunities for teams and matches was the better option. A different DC did weekly board elsewhere and a third thrived in a state grammar where they considered the paucity of organised sport to be a positive bonus. That particular DC would have suited Sevenoaks but at 11 it was too far to travel, they didn't want to board and at sixth form they didn't want the upheaval or lack of independence that would have come.
Nowhere is perfect imo, you can only do your best with the choices that are there and the personality and skills of your child and hope that the teenage years aren't too distracting for them.

Thank you all for your contribution.
I am rather obsessing about getting the choice 'right' for DC2 as regret path we were so convinced was right for DC1 which has turned out to be a huge disappointment.
Need a crystal ball !!!

Can recommend Charterhouse. PM me if you want specifics. I had two boys go through it.

Dulwich or Eltham if you want South London

Sherborne is often the back up for those who are looking for single sex, full boarding, academic and sport but who are not sure they will get their first choice school.

Traditional and more full boarders than Tonbridge which empties out at the weekends. Large international contingent. Good links with the girls school which gives it a more co-ed feel than some of the other all boys schools.