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Original poster

Bloxham school v Stowe school

36 replies

DishyDad75 · 14/03/2021 10:50

My DS has been offered a Day in Boarding place (Sept 2022 start in year 9) at both Bloxham School in North Oxfordshire and Stowe school in Buckinghamshire.

We like both schools but we don't know any current parents at either school. Are there any Mumsnetters out there with first hand experience of these schools or can give us your objective and honest opinion? If so we would love to hear what you think of them and any inside knowledge that you can share, either on this chat or by DM.

Our son is average academically and needs learning support but very sporty (in either the A or B team for rugby, hockey and cricket) - he is also keen on DT and enjoys music and drama. He is a lovely boy (I would say that!) and makes friends easily but pastorally he will need a kick to do the academic work now and again.

Look forward to hearing from you.

OP posts:
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JuliaDpink · 19/11/2025 21:11

@Beachcomber74 I'm going to PM you too. I hope that's okay. I'm just hoping for any further insight that you can offer. Thanks

JuliaDpink · 19/11/2025 21:10

Thanks @OhDear111 I hope it's okay that I have PM'd you. I'm very confused. As you say, from where we live, school options (for day places at least) are incredibly limited.

OhDear111 · 19/11/2025 20:57

@JuliaDpink If you live in that area and want a local school you don’t have much choice. It’s important a few dc in the wrong school don’t entirely cloud your judgement. Obviously most dc aren’t leaving in droves. If you have the money, and can get in, Rugby.

JuliaDpink · 17/11/2025 07:00

Thanks for this Beachcomber. Are you able to say anymore about why you feel this way please? We don't have any other choices at the moment.

Beachcomber74 · 16/11/2025 12:15

Don’t opt for either. What are your other choices?

JuliaDpink · 09/11/2025 09:52

Hello, my child has offers from Stowe and Bloxham. Is anyone able to offer an upto date opinion? I am worried about the comments on here about both schools! Thanks

Elfie1976 · 04/04/2024 08:47

@ Labbaby, it's decision time for us..... I'm worried about your anti bullying comment? How is it going? Anyone else have updates?

Gentlydownstream · 18/11/2023 14:33

Also many schools allow students to have more than one scholarship. So you could apply for a scholarship in sport and a scholarship in drama and an exhibition in cello, in theory at least. I know children who have a couple of scholarships from the big public schools. It is hard work though, you are expected to be at every match/concert etc.

Gentlydownstream · 18/11/2023 14:29

I can’t answer for Stowe School but usually Scholarships are worth more than Exhibitions. In my experience a scholarship could be 10 - 50 off fees whereas an exhibition could be 5-10 % discount. Depends on the school, it should say on the website, if not then call admissions.

Annie1242 · 18/11/2023 13:30

Stowe School Sports Scholarship vs Sports Exhibition.
Hello,
Can anyone please advise what is the difference between the above?
Thank you.

Mumsafan · 15/03/2023 13:41

3WildOnes · 12/03/2022 09:40

I wouldn’t touch Stowe with a barge pole. Have heard awful thing about their pastoral care. It might suit some very robust (rough?) very sporty boys.

Have DD at another independent who fairly regularly play Stowe at sports and the attitude and rudeness of the girls is always commented on.

During one match 3 or 4 Stowe girls hounded a girl on DDs team calling her names and making inappropriate comments because she had short hair! Their coach heard it all and didn't call it out.

Obviously this will only be a certain age group (current Year 11 equivalent) but it has always put me off Stowe.

One of DDs friends is going to Bloxham for Sixth Form as a Boarder.

Elfie1976 · 14/03/2023 14:23

Good to hear he's settled well, I hope things get a bit of vavavoom to them soon, all the best.

Original poster
DishyDad75 · 14/03/2023 12:01

We went for Bloxham in the end @Elfie1976 2 terms in and not regretting our decision as our son seems to have settled well but I have to be honest I am personally a little underwhelmed by the school overall - everything is just a bit average...

OP posts:
Elfie1976 · 14/03/2023 11:10

@DishyDad75 what did you decide in the end?

RedPanda2022 · 16/01/2023 12:50

Thanks.

Labbaby · 15/01/2023 19:20

The facilities are good and they say all the right things and put all the best out on show when you visit. But the pastoral care is dependent on how liked your child is, bullying is not addressed and standard of teaching is not as good as you would expect. Follow your instincts, you are on here as you have doubts about the school

Elfie1976 · 14/01/2023 18:21

Yes, can you expand?

RedPanda2022 · 13/01/2023 17:13

@Labbaby are you able to say why Bloxham was a mistake? We know a couple of colleagues with dc there who are thriving and parents happy, ds has a place for yr9 but we still have another option as well.

Labbaby · 12/01/2023 19:35

Having a child at Bloxham I can honestly say what a mistake we have made

Labbaby · 12/01/2023 19:34

Having a child at Bloxham I can honestly say what a mistake we made.

Takeittotheboss · 15/03/2022 21:05

From everything that you say about your son I'd advise Bloxham. Stowe pupils tend to be quite harsh on any weakness and the more academic drive of late has put sportsmen and women lower down the ranks along with anyone genuinely needing support.

SkipJoan · 15/03/2022 08:44

How does Stowe suit girls?

Elfie1976 · 13/03/2022 16:15

I think the school has moved on quite a bit academically from what I've heard, I'm not worried from an academic viewpoint. There's also banned substances going on in every school, it's how they deal with it that counts. I'm more interested in if the students feel supported and if their strengths are identified and encouraged, it's a big school and wonder if they get lost? Any feedback from current parents greatly appreciated Smile

blue86 · 13/03/2022 15:23

Have to say that while Stowe's grounds are beautiful (I was there on Friday), I wouldn't personally consider it for my kids. It has a reputation (fairly or unfairly) for not being great academically and past issues around banned substances.

Pottedpalm · 13/03/2022 07:08

@3WildOnes

I wouldn’t touch Stowe with a barge pole. Have heard awful thing about their pastoral care. It might suit some very robust (rough?) very sporty boys.
I have a very good friend with s DS who is there. He joined for sixth form. They have been very impressed with the pastoral care and academic support. I was at friend’s house recently and she received two phone calls back related to a concern she raised that morning following her seeing her boy at the weekend. One call was from the subject teacher and the second from het son’s houseparent checking that all was well. He is a sporty boy but not rough, or particularly robust.