Advice on Stowe please.

[Tinker123]

I very much liked Stowe for my DD and later for my DS but I was a bit concerned about a comment I read talking about houses being a bit "Lord of the Flies". I understood Stowe had bullying issues in the past but that those days are now over. I would be most grateful if there are any Stowe parents or people linked to Stowe who could advise me….

With many thanks

I have heard quite a few horror stories about Stowe including the "Lord of the flies" ethos.

What sort of horror stories and are they recent?

I went to Stowe, long time ago now before it was completely co-ed. I gained quite a lot from it - it's a ridiculously beautiful school. Like any school, it's important to get a good fit to your child. Some children do not do well there and some thrive. Two children from the same family may have vastly different experiences. I know a couple of people who have their children at Stowe and are very happy with it.

I am reluctant to put them in an open forum, one story in particular would immediately identify the child involved.
There are some who like it and seem to do well but for those who don't it's not a happy experience.

Isn't that the same for all schools?

Thanks Guys. I wonder then what characteristics the right sort of boy / girl for Stowe should have?

I here more negative things about Stowe than others don't know why. One story the school you failed in their duty of care.

My elder son played rugby against Stowe on Saturday. My husband was horrified at their bad language and aggression towards the referee. It was the second time he has watched Stowe play, and their behaviour has been 'unimpressive' each time. Other parents agreed and the general consensus was 'that's par for the course for Stowe'. The team were not a good advertisement for the school. Having said that, my younger son has friends who went to Stowe in September, and they were all lovely. It is difficult to generalise - every year group, every house can be vastly different to other years/ houses. It really does depend on the cohort your child ends up in. Not helpful I know - have you visited? Only you can judge whether your child will fit into a particular school.

Yes I have visited, and loved it - breathtakingly beautiful, great facilities, charming confident well mannered children (the ones I met), great tabs kept on them via their intranet etc…... But I wonder if there isn't some sort of other undercurrent going on…..?

We visited, although for 6th form. We felt that it is just too remote. Young people do not enjoy beautiful surroundings as much as adults. Stowe is miles from any meaningful civilisation and I think you have to be dedicated to boarding to go there. Any theatre, museums, other schools, cinema, or even shopping are a long way away. Great if you like beagles and a walk in the park though. We thought a lot of the girls we met seemed bored!

My younger DS is home today on an exeat. He has just told me that one of his friends who started at Stowe in September has left, having been horribly bullied (physical and emotional.)
This boy had happily boarded at prep. school and was miserable at Stowe. As I said earlier, the boys I know who went there were lovely - it is a shame one has had to leave because of bullying after such a short time .

I remember asking DS2's prep school headmaster what happens to the few boys who fail CE. "They end up at Stowe", he replied...

123flower, not sure that is the case now. I know someone who loved the school but when their headmaster wrote the reference and implied that CE would be a struggle, Stowe said no thank you.

Oh dear. Not good re the poor chap who had to leave having just arrived in September…. aaagh!

Did you know the headmaster is leaving? Apparently headhunted for Eton

Klingy - where did you hear that?!