Let me begin by saying I have zero experience of private education and haven't previously considered it for our DCs since we believed our local schools to be good schools.
However, DS1 (currently yr 9 at local high school) recently attended an activities weekend at Stowe, led by a group of 6th Formers. He has since become infatuated with the idea of going to the school and keeps asking me to look into it. It isn't because he feels it's going to be one long jolly - he just loved the general atmosphere in the school, that they were committed to both study and having fun. We have been over and over this with him and it is clear that he isn't seeing this through rose-tinted glasses - he just wants a fresh start at a school where he could have some great opportunities in at atmosphere where it is ok to be yourself. He sees it as an opportunity or challenge to which he could really apply himself.
Obviously, I need to contact the admissions office but, being totally honest, I feel a bit of a numpty as I don't have a clue if it is even feasible for DS to obtain a place if he hasn't previously attended a prep school plus the fact that he would be starting a year later than most pupils. Do children transfer at times other than the general intake? Do many children switch from state to private? Particularly at this time (Year 9/10)?
DS is a good student generally but really struggles with maths (barely scraping an E grade). He had a very unhappy start to high school life - suffering 2 years of bullying. He is more settled now but is fed up with the immaturity and constant clique issues in his current school. He loves drama/performing arts and would love to play more sport.
I would be really grateful if anyone could kindly shed some light on the whole system or whether we are wasting our time.
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Stowe: clueless about private education - could somebody kindly help?
37 replies
Ujjayi · 23/06/2014 15:09
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