Stonar or Kings Canterbury

[Nomad85]

Our 11 year old daughter has an offer for both and we are torn about which one to send her to. She will be a full boarder.

She is a gentle character who loves STEM, music and horses - though she’s never had her own and only been riding for a couple of years. She wants to be a vet or an engineer when she grows up. She’s bright but struggles with literacy. She has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy which at the moment isn’t effecting her in school but I’m mindful that it might at some point.

We love both schools but had concerns for both too.

Stonar - is the equestrian only going to be a plus point if she was competing at a high level? Will she be overlooked and not progress how she hopes to? It’s not academically rigorous so concerned she won’t be pushed enough.

Kings - takes itself very seriously, is it too academic for her? Is it for more high performing students?

Where are you based? There's quite a distance between
Wiltshire and Kent. While your DD will be a boarder, it is nice if you can visit her for matches or events, and if she can come home some weekends for a break.

I cannot comment on those two schools. The schools are very different though. Did one sing more to her when she visited?

We will be overseas.

She was more excited coming away from Stonar as they put on a fun assessment day whereas at Kings it was more of a normal school day as she went to her assessment day outside the usual date.

i only know of one - Stonar has a great reputation locally for care and facilities, the staff I know there are truly lovely, they seem to have a range of opportunities for students and parents of students seem happy with them.

From what I understand they are both very good in their areas of strength, but there's not much overlap between the two. From your description, perhaps your daughter needs something in the middle. I'm not sure how many vets and engineers come out of Stonar, but equally she might not be seen as horsey enough to shine there.

Are these two your only options? St Mary's Calne springs to mind, or Sherborne Girls- both academic enough to stretch a bright pupil but both also quite kind and gentle, and good for full boarding.

My daughter is a day pupil at Stonar, it’s a wonderfully nurturing school.

she doesn’t ride but has many friends that do, and all seem to have opportunities. With regard to academics I wouldn’t say my daughter is pushed (she can be a tad lazy) but she’s on track for good gcse grades and a reasonable percentage of Stonar pupils do go to Russell Group universities.

happy to answer any questions x