Non-stuffy boarding school

[Natwood9]

Hello- having looked around Rugby and Uppingham, we found both a little on the traditional side. Looking ideally for a school like Stowe , perhaps slightly more focus on academics and ideally opportunity to play football. Any suggestions? Bradfield ?

My DS has just left Stowe and it was fabulous for him. He was at a far more academic school prior to Stowe but he accomplished far better in his A levels - A*,A, B than he was ever predicted. He says that the one to one attention from teachers was incredible, often sitting with them until 9-10pm at night in final preparation. Don’t write it off, it was far better academically than we ever expected. So, so pleased we chose it.

@felizdia - that’s great to hear! I loved it when I looked around Stowe. Thought the children seemed personable, articulate and a lot of fun! I don’t understand why the school gets such a bad rep on Mumsnet? Sure historically it was a different context but it seems to attract so much vitriol on here. As far as I can tell the school is thriving.

@Natwood9 i think it’s a bit like trip advisor. People are more likely to write the bad than the good. It’s also likely the same case that all schools have some children who are unhappy there, and those parents are going to vent. Sometimes just wrong school for that child, sometimes it’s a toxic year or a housemaster they don’t gel with. You also have to be aware of outdated opinions- “ my DH went there in the Stone Age and they didn’t have heating and he got mercilessly buggered” etc. Then there’a projection- think we’re all a bit guilty of this- people have spent a lot of money on another school so don’t want to think they made a bad choice. Lastly, it’s somewhat horses for courses- one mum’s structured is another mum’s uptight. One mum’s “rigorous” is another mum’s “hothouse”. There are a number of great schools I wouldn’t consider for my dc as they are just not the right school for them.

it’s tough isn’t it?

From your posts, Repton is an ideal fit.

@illiterato brilliant post- that made me laugh! 😁

have pm'ed you, OP

I would second Bromsgrove as an option. Very unstuffy and lots of sport. DC have the option of day, full or weekly boarding. Lots of international boarders which some people don’t like. Repton I would also recommend.