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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:
Motorcyclemptiness · 12/03/2022 18:55

According to my very rough, robust, tough, sporty DSs, the girls all seem pretty happy there, as are the vast majority of the boys, nothwithstanding the awful pastoral care the PP said that they receive.,,,

Elfie1976 · 12/03/2022 11:11

Is this recently? Shock

What about for girls?

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.

Elfie1976 · 12/03/2022 07:57

Yes, what did you decide? Similar dilemma here Wink

resskiestonight · 24/01/2022 07:18

What did you decide in the end? We are in the same boat.

Original poster
DishyDad75 · 15/03/2021 13:18

@Nolanscrack I think Stowe has a very good reputation on the whole and one that continues to improve academically although there are plenty of negative impressions of rich parents etc. which seem to persist. Certainly as a member of the Rugby group of schools it is in the upper echelon of public schools.

OP posts:
PresentingPercy · 15/03/2021 12:44

The Dc that were day pupils were called Day Boarders at our school. I see what you mean now - just a different term. They did not get much time at home. So factor in travel time.

We looked at Bloxham - but for DD2. We felt that, for girls, it had big limitations. Our very good friends' DD started there as a day pupil at 13 but left. Went to Rugby. She was immature at 13 and wanted to stay at home. Rugby was very much better when she matured a bit! I cannot say we were very impressed with Bloxham but we wanted boarding. DD2 looked at Stowe for 6th form, mainly for art courses. We did like it but felt it was too rural for her. I come from that area! I know its limitations. If your DS is staying at home, however, I would take Stowe. DD2 has quite a few male friends who went to Stowe and she likes them!

I have to say I am not sure that half in-half out boarding works. DC make very firm friends when boarding. What has your prep advised? Will DC get help with prep for example? How good is the learning support at both?

nolanscrack · 15/03/2021 11:47

What reputation do you think Stowe has?

Original poster
DishyDad75 · 15/03/2021 10:53

Thanks for your input @PresentingPercy
Yes we have visited both schools.
'Day in Boarding' just means you are a day child but can stay later at school, have evening meal and do prep and then go home but stay at schools sometimes. Bloxham have the option of 2 nights a week staying at school included whereas Stowe is by arrangement and is intended to be more occasional but you have a dedicated desk in the boarding house etc.
I do agree with you that Bloxham is much more of a 'local school' whereas Stowe is more of a 'national or international' school with a reputation to match...

OP posts:
PresentingPercy · 15/03/2021 09:13

Not a current parent but have known DC at both. Stowe in my opinion. Bloxham is more of a “local” school. I was confused if he’s day or boarding. If boarding Stowe is better. Just more of them. Sport at Stowe is taken seriously.

Have you visited either? Cannot comment about learning support. I would say there are perhaps more “worldly” DC at Stowe. To my mind, that’s an advantage but you might need to drill down a bit further regarding learning support. If he’s a day pupil I think you have a role as well as the school.

Motorcyclemptiness · 15/03/2021 07:37

Pm'ed you, OP