Stowe School

[FfZzBbGg]

Does anyone have any up to date opinions on Stowe? I understand the school had changed a great deal in the past 5-10 years and it’s proving very hard to find up to date opinions.

I’m looking for a school for my DC who has mild to moderate SEN but is actually quite bright so I’m hoping will be able to fulfil the entry requirements. I really want somewhere with excellent pastoral care and SEN support and robust anti bullying with bags of extra curricular activities for a very energetic child, and a focus on preparing the child for the real world rather than just teaching to the test. I’ve not yet visited but the website seems to indicate it would tick the boxes. Initially i’d be looking for a day place but would switch to boarding later.

What’s the school like nowadays? I’m aware that in the past it was regarded as not especially well run and primarily for the ‘rich but thick’ demographic, but I gather things have changed a lot now and the quality of provision is really excellent? I’d love to hear experiences from current parents?

[charlmum60]

My friend had a DD in the sixth form at Stowe and she pulled her out part way through 1st year (she was boarding)...I will know more when I see her next week...

[Ojoj1974]

No idea but I loved it in the'90's!!

[FfZzBbGg]

charl I’d love to hear more about that after you’ve found out.

[FfZzBbGg]

Ojoj yes, I’ve heard it is a very fun school still.

[BubblesBuddy]

I think Stowe suits a robust child. Every child I know who went there fits into this category. They were confident and usually sporty! I think boarding schools suit this type of child and, even as a day pupil, you need to hold your own. Why not RLS? Or has this not worked out?

Akeley Wood is more gentle.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

I don't have a child there but at a different independent but I think think your 'rich but thick' reputation still remains today.

[BubblesBuddy]

That is somewhat unfair. Obviously when a school is full boarding, the parents are rich unless they are bursary children. "Thick" is a very unkind thing to say about a minority of chldren and the results do not bear this out. It is not Eton, but it is not full of SEN pupils either. Usually the Stowe CE mark is lower than other schools but has risen in the last 10 years. The children I know that went there were difinitely bright enough and its somewhat demeaning and rude to call any child "thick". Would say this about a SEND child to their parent? Or a state educated child in the bottom set of a comprehensive school? Probably not. Such comments are usually reserved for the better off in society. It is not an attractive description for any child, however much you despise the parents.

[charlmum60]

I dont think its a "rich but thick" school - the friend I know whose child dropped out early in 6th form was not actually rich and her dd is bright - she will probably achieve AAA in A levels. I do agree with the comments about being robust... In my opinion it attracts the children of "old school type" who are looking for their children to mix and make contacts aswell as achieve ...there is more to being educated at Stowe than results ...

[Cwandry]

A friend just recently went on a tour there. They were hoping to love it but didn't. The only way to find out is to go yourself. I don't know anyone with kids there currently. I know a few old boys in 20s and 30s all are very bright and successful a t what they do, well balanced. Yea they are a bit rich too but not thick by any means.

[FfZzBbGg]

* its somewhat demeaning and rude to call any child "thick". Would say this about a SEND child to their parent?*

I had SEND when at school and so does my DC! I would hope that comment was not aimed at me - I would not call a child “rich but thick”, I’m merely quoting what I have heard others say. Besides, myself and my DC would both be described as “thick” by those standards!

The point of my thread was just to get general up to date opinions on the school rather than dwell on the “rich but thick” debate.

[FfZzBbGg]

* It is not an attractive description for any child, however much you despise the parents.*

To add, I don’t despise anyone and have no issues with my DC attending a school full of very wealthy DC & parents except that I worry that it is extremely unrepresentative of the real world so am interested to see if this is still the perception of the school and / or if it does now attract a more diverse intake.

[FfZzBbGg]

* I do agree with the comments about being robust... In my opinion it attracts the children of "old school type" who are looking for their children to mix and make contacts aswell as achieve ...there is more to being educated at Stowe than results ...*

That’s interesting to hear a second person talk about robust children. My DC is not robust! Nor are we “old school” and looking to make connections. I really just want DC to be happy and supported and have lots of opportunities and life experiences.

[FfZzBbGg]

A friend just recently went on a tour there. They were hoping to love it but didn't. The only way to find out is to go yourself. I don't know anyone with kids there currently. I know a few old boys in 20s and 30s all are very bright and successful a t what they do, well balanced. Yea they are a bit rich too but not thick by any means.

Thanks.* Yes, I think I will book up a tour / open day at some point to see for myself.*

[Grumpyteens]

It is not Eton, but it is not full of SEN pupils either.

Well thank God for that
Because SEN children are obviously all thick! While non SEN are all typically very bright.

[BubblesBuddy]

I just think everyone should stop peddling "rich and thick"! It is just not on. Would you like this to be said about your children op?

Of course the majority of children at Stowe come from well to do homes. Who else can afford it? There is a high achieving grammar school down the road so people without the money locally aim for that. Yes to getting well connected. High profile schools are partially about that. Of course it's not representative of the world! The people who send children there want it to be representative of them and what they want out of life.

"Thick" is typically reserved for SEN children. It's hardly used for bright children is it? My description tells you it has plenty of high achieving and average children. Not so many SEN but other schools cater better for this. E.g. Sibford and Kingham.

[Grumpyteens]

I just think everyone should stop peddling "rich and thick"! It is just not on. Would you like this to be said about your children op?

Thick" is typically reserved for SEN children. It's hardly used for bright children is it?

O the irony!

[BubblesBuddy]

What irony? What is your problem Grumpy? I am against children being labelled because they go to a certain school. Define "thick" then as used by others who have posted on this thread instead of attacking me. I am against any child being described as thick. Rich or otherwise.

[GrumpyOldBag]

Oh FFS Bubbles.

My son has SEN. He was capable of getting 2A*s, A & B at A-Level . You seem to have a very narrow view of the world.

[aba]

My DS started at Stowe in September and he is having a fantastic time. He loves the school, he's had lots of pastoral support and he's settled in really well. The thing we like about Stowe is that it really supports the individual thinker. Its a modern /traditional school with a liberal view. I myself went to boarding school many moons ago and I can't believe how much better they are now compared to what we put up with! Stowe is a wonderful school with something for everyone. I can't recommend it enough. Coming from the crazily competitive West London selective school area its refreshing to find a school that chooses on character and not just exam results for entry. The true measure of a school is how well it can it take an ordinary student and make them extraordinary and Stowe does this very well.

[Psychobabble123]

OP take a look at Akely Wood, I think it would be a much nicer fit for your son and its only a few miles from Stowe.

[Psychobabble123]

www.akeleywoodschool.co.uk/

[Psychobabble123]

Oh sorry xpost!!

[Polista]

Thank you, aba -.great to hear that your DS is so happy and that pastoral care there is VG. Any insight 're Houses, pls?

[DairyisClosed]

@Bubbles do you actually have much experience of private schools? I went to a thick but rich school. Not all of us were thick but the curriculum was suitably dumbed down to accommodate the children whose parents had the money but couldn't get into one of these schools on their merit. Everybody benefited. People like me got a scholarship and the people who weren't like me got good A levels. Some people are naturally intellectually limited. No harm in aknowledging that and catering for it. If there's is one thing I have learned from that place is the impotence of accepting yourself for what you are (even if you are thick).

[MeadowGrass]

"Thick" is typically reserved for SEN children. It's hardly used for bright children is it?

How unpleasant (and ignorant)

As it happens there are a lot of SEN children who are extremely bright