winchester college houses

[ForSnappyPombear]

Please can you give any Wincoll parents me some insight into the different houses in Wincoll.

Admissions advise looking at the housemasters for fit rather than type of boys in the group. However my thinking is I would not want to move into a flat without knowing a bit about my flatmates first?

I am trying to second guess the 'type' of boy who would be in each type of house. If the housemaster is musical, are parents more likely to put their sons into that house? I am looking for a house that house boys where the majority would have a good fit/connection with my son but it is difficult to tell.

Your advice would be appreciated.

It's a few years since we were looking at the houses at Wincoll so I am assuming the process hasn't changed that much. I think choosing by housemaster is the right approach and I'd trust Admission's advice.

We chose the house on gut instinct, my DS liked one particular HM and so did we and he was absolutely great and turned out to be a very good choice. There didn't seem to be any sign of parents of a musical talent wanting a particular house where the housemaster was a music don for example. I don't think it works like that. The opportunities to follow an interest or talent is there and not dependent on the housemaster.

I would visit three or four houses, they all have a different atmosphere. The HM is important and it's the HM who interviews and selects boys for the house so it's important that you like the HM's approach and trust that the HM will select the right people to make the most of a unique school and who will also be a good fit for the house.

As for guessing the type of boy in each house, I don't think you can. They do spend rather a lot of time together because of eating and studying in their houses but have to learn to tolerate those that are not their type. My DS's main friends were sporty ones in other houses with one or two in his house as good friends and a couple he frankly couldn't stand. That's life.

My DS says he recommends Beloe's if your DS likes a short walk to college ;)