Stamford vs Copthill vs Laxton

NewtothisFBK4921 · 2025-04-26T22:34:41+00:00

Hello! I hear a lot about Copthill school and much less about Stamford junior school, both look really lovely and stamford has big pool etc. Does anyone in the Uppingham, Oundle, stamford, Peterborough part of the world know why you would pick one over the other? Why does Copthill seem more popular? Or is it not? We're quite new to the area and can't workout the difference? Stamford jnr slightly closer soayne preferable. Are the types of families the same at both? School offerings seem pretty similar... Assume Laxton Jr is just good if you want to go to Oundle. Fees pretty high so would prefer stamford or Copthill.

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Original poster

NewtothisFBK4921 · 27/04/2025 22:02

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OP posts:

Biscuitsneeded · 07/05/2025 13:55

I'm afraid I don't have an answer to your original question because I don't know the schools, but I do know the prep department at The Peterborough School is excellent. I would imagine its fees are relatively competitive too. Worth a look?

DaveClifton · 08/05/2025 20:32

Hi 👋

As a former Stamford Junior School parent (child now in Y8 at Stamford senior school), in my opinion the differences vs Copthill are:

I prefer how it’s run and managed - SJS is a charity run by trustees rather than private owners, so I know every penny is ploughed back into the education provision.

Facilities - yes, Copthill have the lovely outdoor farmland and alpacas, but the SJS grounds and facilities (esp sport) are far superior. The outdoor learning at SJS has vastly improved in recent years, there are sleepovers in tents in the grounds, and I think the school now owns or has a partnership with some nearby land that bushcraft activities take place in.

Stamford is a through-school, so it’s an easy transition to senior. And the smaller children have lots of interaction with the older students; the sixth form science prefects help out in science lessons in junior school for example, and the whole school participates in the annual Burghley Run which is a great event.

Stamford offers full, flexible and occasional boarding from Y5 (we made use of this for a grown up weekend away and our child didn’t want to come home!).

I think that Stamford parents are more down to earth…we’ve made some great friends and the PTFA is very active with social events etc There are more Volvos and Minis in the car park than Range Rovers I think!

The new (ish) Head and leadership team at SJS are also really fantastic.

I’d recommend doing a tour of both to see for yourself 😊

Oh and yes, Laxton is a feeder for the vast majority of children (but some do go into Stamford, Oakham or Uppingham).

DaveClifton · 08/05/2025 21:12

Sorry I meant Laxton is a feeder for Oundle!

Original poster

NewtothisFBK4921 · 10/08/2025 07:58

DaveClifton · 08/05/2025 20:32

Hi 👋

As a former Stamford Junior School parent (child now in Y8 at Stamford senior school), in my opinion the differences vs Copthill are:

I prefer how it’s run and managed - SJS is a charity run by trustees rather than private owners, so I know every penny is ploughed back into the education provision.

Facilities - yes, Copthill have the lovely outdoor farmland and alpacas, but the SJS grounds and facilities (esp sport) are far superior. The outdoor learning at SJS has vastly improved in recent years, there are sleepovers in tents in the grounds, and I think the school now owns or has a partnership with some nearby land that bushcraft activities take place in.

Stamford is a through-school, so it’s an easy transition to senior. And the smaller children have lots of interaction with the older students; the sixth form science prefects help out in science lessons in junior school for example, and the whole school participates in the annual Burghley Run which is a great event.

Stamford offers full, flexible and occasional boarding from Y5 (we made use of this for a grown up weekend away and our child didn’t want to come home!).

I think that Stamford parents are more down to earth…we’ve made some great friends and the PTFA is very active with social events etc There are more Volvos and Minis in the car park than Range Rovers I think!

The new (ish) Head and leadership team at SJS are also really fantastic.

I’d recommend doing a tour of both to see for yourself 😊

Oh and yes, Laxton is a feeder for the vast majority of children (but some do go into Stamford, Oakham or Uppingham).

Just seen this!! So helpful thank you!

OP posts:

rhinobaby · 12/08/2025 15:19

I know kids that went to all 3 junior schools although mine went to state primary ( then Stamford for secondary). As well as needing to be pretty wealthy to afford Laxton, and then Oundle, it is also academically selective in a way the other 2 are not. Possibly not for reception but definitely if you try to get in later in the school, and also if you are not felt to be academic enough for Oundle school they don’t let you progress. Lovely premises though. The cohort from SJS have a bit of an advantage moving up to secondary if they stick with Stamford senior school as they make up about 1/3 of the senior school so will be with lots of friends and will have spent plenty of time in the sports facilities and other areas of the school.

At the end of the day they are all lovely schools and the families in each pretty similar so maybe decide by whichever is easier for drop off and pick up, or tour all 3 and decide from there.