Stowe or Blundells vs Sherborne

[devondad1]

Hi everyone,

We are looking for a boarding school for our very sporty DS who is not at all academic (lower end of his prep school in standardised tests) reachable from the South West.

Mentally, we had settled on Sherborne (described by his prep HM as a school he could have a good stab at getting into) and we have a tour morning in the diary, but browsing around, Stowe and Blundells both came up as alternatives. I appreciate these schools are miles apart, but he would be a full boarder and I am happy to drive a couple of hours to stand by rugby/hockey/cricket pitches and athletics tracks shouting encouragement into the rain.

Would there be any reason to choose either of these schhols over Sherborne, other than the fact they might be easier to get into? Or would they for that matter?

Any direct or recent experience of these schools would be particularly appreciated. I confess we are quite traditional DPs and are won over by a bit of fancy architecture and a name. We're not expecting him to head to Oxbridge, but would appreciate a school that will help him achieve what he is capable of.

[Chilbolton]

I have 2 DS at Sherborne, and am really happy with the school. Nobody would claim it's highly selective, but it does appear to be becoming more academic. I would say if your DS gets in, the school will stand by him even if he's not at the scholarly end of the spectrum, and there are lots of ways for a boy to find what he's great at as the extra-curricular offer is really strong. If he's a good sportsman that's a short route to success with the peer group, which makes settling into the demands and challenges of senior school easier. Blundells could be a decent choice but if your son is going to be boarding there might be the down side of too many day pupils, as the local following is strong. They are a good cricket school (at least in my DS's year). Stowe is such a long way from Devon- pushing 4 hours drive from where we are. That makes it really hard to turn up for matches, plays etc and there's no obvious rail line to take the strain. If you want an alternative to Sherborne have you considered Millfield? It doesn't have the glorious Sherborne buildings and setting, but is probably more sporty and less academic so could fit the bill.

[devondad1]

@Chilbolton

I have 2 DS at Sherborne, and am really happy with the school. Nobody would claim it's highly selective, but it does appear to be becoming more academic. I would say if your DS gets in, the school will stand by him even if he's not at the scholarly end of the spectrum, and there are lots of ways for a boy to find what he's great at as the extra-curricular offer is really strong. If he's a good sportsman that's a short route to success with the peer group, which makes settling into the demands and challenges of senior school easier. Blundells could be a decent choice but if your son is going to be boarding there might be the down side of too many day pupils, as the local following is strong. They are a good cricket school (at least in my DS's year). Stowe is such a long way from Devon- pushing 4 hours drive from where we are. That makes it really hard to turn up for matches, plays etc and there's no obvious rail line to take the strain. If you want an alternative to Sherborne have you considered Millfield? It doesn't have the glorious Sherborne buildings and setting, but is probably more sporty and less academic so could fit the bill.

Hi there @Chilbolton .

Thanks a lot for your comments, which reaffirms what I already saw as the strengths of Sherborne.

And I take on board the comment re Blundell's, which is officially 50% boarding, but that seems to include a lot of flexi and weekly boarders. I would worry that it might empty out at weekends.

We are also looking at Millfield, but DS is not keen on the school. While that is not decisive, as children's opinions can change with the wind, I would not want to send him to a school he is set against.

I note your comment on the distance to Stowe, but I would still be interested in your or other Mumsnetter's views on the school, specifically compared with Sherborne. 😃

[Chilbolton]

I won't pretend to be up to date on Stowe, @devondad1 . I remember a couple of news stories a few years ago; running out of morning after pills could be forgiven, but the (former) chef arrested for attempting to poison the pupils might tell a tale....

[Intoand]

I would say Sherborne over Stowe in this case, both are great schools, but I’d say their sporting reputations aren’t all that different to drive a couple extra hours for. Unless it’s for a very specific sport that one schools excels in over the other, but I’m not aware of this at either school, although I know Sherborne doesn’t really do rowing while Stowe does.
Dont know much about Blundells so couldn’t say about whether they’re sportier or not.

[StarsInTheSkies]

I have one DS that has gone through Sherborne (full boarder) and another DC just started at Blundells (day). Both really good schools (obviously I am new to Blundells but so far so good). Sherborne has more full boarding students although they have recently relaxed rules about going home on Saturday nights but as far as I could tell most people still stayed in for the weekends. Blundells only has two Exeats a year which would be hard for full boarding I think being used to one per half term which they have at Sherborne.

I think both are fine for getting into and have a range of abilities. I know more about Sherborne sport which has a lot of choice and opportunities. Blundells have put on a lot of games lessons and matches so far and I don’t know what happens further up the school. Depending where you are in the South West Sherborne can be very convenient by train which is great for Exeats and for visiting and Blundells have a wide bus network.

I know nothing about Stowe.

[StarsInTheSkies]

There is also the single sex education at Sherborne with the girls school in the same town which is an unusual and really good set up. Best thing is to go and visit them all and maybe start the admissions process at two and you will know where feels right.

[lochmaree]

Another one suggesting Millfield although seen that your son may not be as interested in there. Its a fab school, the sports facilities are incredible.

[WarningOfGails]

I know quite a few kids who weekly and flexi board at Blundells who live in Devon, I get the impression the full boarders are international students.

[FantasticElasticBand]

Any reason you haven’t looked at King’s Bruton @devondad1?

[devondad1]

@WarningOfGails

I know quite a few kids who weekly and flexi board at Blundells who live in Devon, I get the impression the full boarders are international students.

That chimes with a lot of other comments I have heard. Blundell's is officially 40% boarding, but a lot of that is weeklies and flexis.

[devondad1]

Thanks for the question @FantasticElasticBand. We have actually looked at King's Bruton and I hear lots of good things about the nurturing environment. A number of our friends went there and/or intend to send their DCs. But it is a small school compared with the competition in the area, and is only 50% boarding.

I suspect King's will end up on our list as second or third choice given our location and its reputation, but I have not seen anything to make it sing as a first choice over and above other schools in the area.

But I am more than happy to be convinced otherwise if you have a great story to tell. 😀