Shrewsbury School

eseeola · 2024-09-09T17:42:40+00:00

Just hoping to get any opinions on recent experience with Shrewsbury School, particularly for girls. Full-boarding, co-ed and not in close proximity to London are all appealing to us. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

TheSquareMile · 09/09/2024 23:59

@eseeola

I spent a few months in Shrewsbury a few years ago for family reasons and used to drive around the area where Shrewsbury School is; I thought how nice it looked.

I do know two men who went to Shrewsbury and they think highly of it; they were there a long time ago, though, I should add.

I like Shrewsbury itself, it's a nice place to live.

https://www.shrewsbury.org.uk/

https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/

wifeywish1 · 14/09/2024 21:39

My children went for sixth form, full boarding, having never boarded before and loved it.

NewScroller · 26/02/2025 11:24

Very interested in this topic. We are considering full boarding at Shrewsbury School for our DD from Third Form. We have visited the school a few times and liked what we saw. However, one recent post mentioned 'anecdotal evidence that it is not good for girl boarders'. Any comments, confirmative or otherwise, will be highly appreciated!

ASHANDOAK · 26/02/2025 20:28

Our daughter started there for sixth form in September. She absolutely loves it. She has found the girls to be very welcoming and feels like she has been there forever. Although far from an academic hothouse, she is bright and finds she is suitably stretched. She is very pleased she made the move.

sheep73 · 27/02/2025 06:55

We know a number of children who have gone to Shrewsbury school. It's fair to say it admits a broad range on academic ability.
A friend sent boys for the sixth form and the very bright, motivated one did very well and the more lazy one was not pushed and finished with disappointing A level grades.
We have a friend there who started as a day pupil in year 9 and she is very happy. The days are long but she loves it.
However the anecdotes we have heard re girls boarding pastoral care certainly put us off. We spoke to a senior master and he said the school had no ambition to go 50/50 co-ed and would remain boy heavy.
It probably depends on your daughter. If she's very academic and not easily swayed Shrewsbury could be a good option. We've known a girl go for the sixth form only and do really well. But if she's less serious about her studies and / or a bit easily led you may be disappointed. This could well be true for other boarding schools - I don't know - but it seems what we've heard for Shrewsbury.

NewScroller · 27/02/2025 14:06

sheep73 · 27/02/2025 06:55

We know a number of children who have gone to Shrewsbury school. It's fair to say it admits a broad range on academic ability.
A friend sent boys for the sixth form and the very bright, motivated one did very well and the more lazy one was not pushed and finished with disappointing A level grades.
We have a friend there who started as a day pupil in year 9 and she is very happy. The days are long but she loves it.
However the anecdotes we have heard re girls boarding pastoral care certainly put us off. We spoke to a senior master and he said the school had no ambition to go 50/50 co-ed and would remain boy heavy.
It probably depends on your daughter. If she's very academic and not easily swayed Shrewsbury could be a good option. We've known a girl go for the sixth form only and do really well. But if she's less serious about her studies and / or a bit easily led you may be disappointed. This could well be true for other boarding schools - I don't know - but it seems what we've heard for Shrewsbury.

She is at a fairly academic girls prep school now, but her interests are in sports, performing and visual arts (which is something Shrewsbury seems to offer in spades). I hope it doesn't make her a 'soft target' there. On the other hand, she has a brother and usually wins when they fight.

If you could share some of those anecdotes about pastoral care (by PM, if you prefer), I will be much obliged.

BoardingInsider · 27/02/2025 21:23

The value-added at Shrewsbury is quite poor by comparison to other schools in the same bracket.

Check out this data:

https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/123608/shrewsbury-school/16-to-18/advanced-level-qualifications?accordionstate=0|1

NewScroller · 28/02/2025 09:25

BoardingInsider · 27/02/2025 21:23

The value-added at Shrewsbury is quite poor by comparison to other schools in the same bracket.

Check out this data:

https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/123608/shrewsbury-school/16-to-18/advanced-level-qualifications?accordionstate=0|1

Thank you for the link. Not an expert, but looks like the 'value add' is measured from GCSE to A Levels results. Therefore, the low figure may be explained by either poor contribution from teachers / dumb kids or an already high level of GCSEs. For example, Eton is only 0.12 or just above UK average.

In any case, they do prepare boys and girls for Harvard if they are up for it. Our main concern, however, is if our girl is going to be safe and comfortable if she boards there.

Fingersandtoedcrossedxxx · 28/02/2025 11:10

NewScroller · 27/02/2025 14:06

She is at a fairly academic girls prep school now, but her interests are in sports, performing and visual arts (which is something Shrewsbury seems to offer in spades). I hope it doesn't make her a 'soft target' there. On the other hand, she has a brother and usually wins when they fight.

If you could share some of those anecdotes about pastoral care (by PM, if you prefer), I will be much obliged.

Show quote history

I would look at Repton. My son and his girl cousin go and they both love it. Repton really does cater for all children needs and the pastoral care is second to none. My son is both academic and very sporty, he finds that the school helps him achieve in both. His cousin is arty and sporty and loves the girls house…she’s in her second to last year.

wifeywish1 · 01/03/2025 21:42

My daughter went for 6th form full boarding and loved it. Pastoral care was exceptional.

wifeywish1 · 01/03/2025 21:45

Please PM if you'd like to know more - daughter was really supported through some difficult times.

tumbleweed00 · 17/08/2025 00:24

Shrewsbury is not great for girls. The pastoral care is not good and lots of issues. It's better for boys. Your child needs to be very self motivated, not much allowance for hand holding when times get tough. Some houses are better than others obviously. No loyalty from the school if one child under performs with siblings in the school...its very much, don't let the door hit you on the way out for the underperforming child.

NewScroller · 17/08/2025 09:30

tumbleweed00 · 17/08/2025 00:24

Shrewsbury is not great for girls. The pastoral care is not good and lots of issues. It's better for boys. Your child needs to be very self motivated, not much allowance for hand holding when times get tough. Some houses are better than others obviously. No loyalty from the school if one child under performs with siblings in the school...its very much, don't let the door hit you on the way out for the underperforming child.

Edited

Thank you for your honest opinion. We moved abroad earlier this year, therefore the prospect of having our daughter stranded in an uncaring school in a different country does not seem very appealing. We still have a couple of years left to decide, therefore will watch this thread with great interest.

NewScroller · 12/11/2025 04:23

Please do share your views about the well-being and pastoral care of girl boarders at Shrewsbury School. We'll have to decide next March, but panicking already.

MrsHLQ · 12/11/2025 06:50

Friends have two girls, one a recent leaver from Shrewsbury and the other who is still there
there

Shrewsbury has a wide intake as mentioned but these girls are both highly academic and very sporty. They would’ve done well anywhere and they thrived at Shrewsbury

no complaints from the parents whatsoever. They are super happy with the school and have highly recommended it

Separately: based on their recommendation, I have visited and was underwhelmed with the students who showed me around and many of the facilities.

rowing, cricket and cross country are the big sports and the cricket offer is probably the best or certainly one of the very best in the country.

and your daughter is into one of those 3 sports then that’s a good thing

overall it seemed “fine” to me but not amazing.

It that is based on a single visit rather than my friends very positive experience of having two girls there for many years.

if you are abroad it sounds like location doesn’t matter so if you are looking for mixed boarding, I’d strongly recommended Oundle.

NewScroller · 12/11/2025 10:06

MrsHLQ · 12/11/2025 06:50

Friends have two girls, one a recent leaver from Shrewsbury and the other who is still there
there

Shrewsbury has a wide intake as mentioned but these girls are both highly academic and very sporty. They would’ve done well anywhere and they thrived at Shrewsbury

no complaints from the parents whatsoever. They are super happy with the school and have highly recommended it

Separately: based on their recommendation, I have visited and was underwhelmed with the students who showed me around and many of the facilities.

rowing, cricket and cross country are the big sports and the cricket offer is probably the best or certainly one of the very best in the country.

and your daughter is into one of those 3 sports then that’s a good thing

overall it seemed “fine” to me but not amazing.

It that is based on a single visit rather than my friends very positive experience of having two girls there for many years.

if you are abroad it sounds like location doesn’t matter so if you are looking for mixed boarding, I’d strongly recommended Oundle.

Thanks MrsHLQ, it is very helpful.

She loves cricket and other sports, but her main passion is singing, dancing and performing which I believe are quite strong at Shrewsbury.

Academics is acceptable, but definitely not a genius. The latter is the reason why I am not certain about Oundle which I feel is more fitting for those who can/want to study hard.

I must confess I was also a bit underwhelmed (for lack of a better word) by the girls whom I met there, especially compared to the confident young ladies I saw at Marlborough, Downe, Teddies, etc. However, they were probably just shy, which is not such a bad thing after all...

Original poster

eseeola · 12/11/2025 15:20

Hi, OP here. We did end up sending our eldest daughter to Shrewsbury, and our second daughter is actually sitting for the exam today for entry in 2026. And hopefully, a third daughter will follow in 2028. We are also abroad, so pastoral care was of particularly high importance for us, as was full-boarding/not having school empty out at weekends.

We have been impressed with Shrewsbury at every turn. Pupils are encouraged to both pursue their own strengths and passions and also to take advantage of the myriad activities, societies and sport available to them. I am sure house is important, so perhaps we have landed in a good spot with a wonderful house team, but I can say that the "culture of kindness" is alive and well, and we have not heard any feedback from our daughter about girl drama, etc. In our experience, pupils are for the most part grounded, kind and happy. While she has certainly had ups and downs with distance and homesickness as she settles, she has felt thoroughly supported by peers as well as house and teaching staff, which is such a relief to parents who are far away.

She is a dancer, and is able to participate in multiple dance classes nearly every day of the week, in addition to being a part of the dance competition team. I cannot speak directly to the singing or other performing aspects, but friends with children involved in both seem to be very happy with the opportunities and quality in those areas (taking performances to Edinburgh Fringe being a highlight).

Happy to chat more over DM if you have any further questions!

OP posts:

NewScroller · 12/11/2025 17:57

eseeola · 12/11/2025 15:20

Hi, OP here. We did end up sending our eldest daughter to Shrewsbury, and our second daughter is actually sitting for the exam today for entry in 2026. And hopefully, a third daughter will follow in 2028. We are also abroad, so pastoral care was of particularly high importance for us, as was full-boarding/not having school empty out at weekends.

We have been impressed with Shrewsbury at every turn. Pupils are encouraged to both pursue their own strengths and passions and also to take advantage of the myriad activities, societies and sport available to them. I am sure house is important, so perhaps we have landed in a good spot with a wonderful house team, but I can say that the "culture of kindness" is alive and well, and we have not heard any feedback from our daughter about girl drama, etc. In our experience, pupils are for the most part grounded, kind and happy. While she has certainly had ups and downs with distance and homesickness as she settles, she has felt thoroughly supported by peers as well as house and teaching staff, which is such a relief to parents who are far away.

She is a dancer, and is able to participate in multiple dance classes nearly every day of the week, in addition to being a part of the dance competition team. I cannot speak directly to the singing or other performing aspects, but friends with children involved in both seem to be very happy with the opportunities and quality in those areas (taking performances to Edinburgh Fringe being a highlight).

Happy to chat more over DM if you have any further questions!

You really cheered me up! Thank you, eseeola. I'll PM you later.

Good luck with the exam. I hope it goes well for your daughter.

HairyToity · 13/11/2025 10:15

I just spotted this thread, I have a friend with a daughter who is a day pupil in the sixth form, and a former colleague with a daughter boarding in the sixth form. They both talk very highly of the school, and are pleased. All anecdotal.

To my surprise the one who's daughter is a day pupil (last year of A Levels) recently said that although their DC have enjoyed private school, if they were choosing now they wouldn't pick private. It has been much more financially crippling than they'd ever anticipated, and they won't be able to help with house deposits etc. If she was choosing now, with the VAT rise, she'd opt for state/ lots of extra curricular activities/ private tutoring. I was surprised to hear her say this out loud.