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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Bloxham school v Stowe school

36 replies

DishyDad75 · 14/03/2021 10:50

My DS has been offered a Day in Boarding place (Sept 2022 start in year 9) at both Bloxham School in North Oxfordshire and Stowe school in Buckinghamshire.

We like both schools but we don't know any current parents at either school. Are there any Mumsnetters out there with first hand experience of these schools or can give us your objective and honest opinion? If so we would love to hear what you think of them and any inside knowledge that you can share, either on this chat or by DM.

Our son is average academically and needs learning support but very sporty (in either the A or B team for rugby, hockey and cricket) - he is also keen on DT and enjoys music and drama. He is a lovely boy (I would say that!) and makes friends easily but pastorally he will need a kick to do the academic work now and again.

Look forward to hearing from you.

OP posts:

Motorcyclemptiness · 15/03/2021 07:37

Pm'ed you, OP

PresentingPercy · 15/03/2021 09:13

Not a current parent but have known DC at both. Stowe in my opinion. Bloxham is more of a “local” school. I was confused if he’s day or boarding. If boarding Stowe is better. Just more of them. Sport at Stowe is taken seriously.

Have you visited either? Cannot comment about learning support. I would say there are perhaps more “worldly” DC at Stowe. To my mind, that’s an advantage but you might need to drill down a bit further regarding learning support. If he’s a day pupil I think you have a role as well as the school.

Original poster

DishyDad75 · 15/03/2021 10:53

Thanks for your input @PresentingPercy
Yes we have visited both schools.
'Day in Boarding' just means you are a day child but can stay later at school, have evening meal and do prep and then go home but stay at schools sometimes. Bloxham have the option of 2 nights a week staying at school included whereas Stowe is by arrangement and is intended to be more occasional but you have a dedicated desk in the boarding house etc.
I do agree with you that Bloxham is much more of a 'local school' whereas Stowe is more of a 'national or international' school with a reputation to match...

OP posts:

nolanscrack · 15/03/2021 11:47

What reputation do you think Stowe has?

PresentingPercy · 15/03/2021 12:44

The Dc that were day pupils were called Day Boarders at our school. I see what you mean now - just a different term. They did not get much time at home. So factor in travel time.

We looked at Bloxham - but for DD2. We felt that, for girls, it had big limitations. Our very good friends' DD started there as a day pupil at 13 but left. Went to Rugby. She was immature at 13 and wanted to stay at home. Rugby was very much better when she matured a bit! I cannot say we were very impressed with Bloxham but we wanted boarding. DD2 looked at Stowe for 6th form, mainly for art courses. We did like it but felt it was too rural for her. I come from that area! I know its limitations. If your DS is staying at home, however, I would take Stowe. DD2 has quite a few male friends who went to Stowe and she likes them!

I have to say I am not sure that half in-half out boarding works. DC make very firm friends when boarding. What has your prep advised? Will DC get help with prep for example? How good is the learning support at both?

Original poster

DishyDad75 · 15/03/2021 13:18

@Nolanscrack I think Stowe has a very good reputation on the whole and one that continues to improve academically although there are plenty of negative impressions of rich parents etc. which seem to persist. Certainly as a member of the Rugby group of schools it is in the upper echelon of public schools.

OP posts:

resskiestonight · 24/01/2022 07:18

What did you decide in the end? We are in the same boat.

Elfie1976 · 12/03/2022 07:57

Yes, what did you decide? Similar dilemma here

3WildOnes · 12/03/2022 09:40

I wouldn’t touch Stowe with a barge pole. Have heard awful thing about their pastoral care. It might suit some very robust (rough?) very sporty boys.

Elfie1976 · 12/03/2022 11:11

Is this recently?

What about for girls?

Motorcyclemptiness · 12/03/2022 18:55

According to my very rough, robust, tough, sporty DSs, the girls all seem pretty happy there, as are the vast majority of the boys, nothwithstanding the awful pastoral care the PP said that they receive.,,,

Pottedpalm · 13/03/2022 07:08

@3WildOnes

I wouldn’t touch Stowe with a barge pole. Have heard awful thing about their pastoral care. It might suit some very robust (rough?) very sporty boys.

I have a very good friend with s DS who is there. He joined for sixth form. They have been very impressed with the pastoral care and academic support. I was at friend’s house recently and she received two phone calls back related to a concern she raised that morning following her seeing her boy at the weekend. One call was from the subject teacher and the second from het son’s houseparent checking that all was well. He is a sporty boy but not rough, or particularly robust.

blue86 · 13/03/2022 15:23

Have to say that while Stowe's grounds are beautiful (I was there on Friday), I wouldn't personally consider it for my kids. It has a reputation (fairly or unfairly) for not being great academically and past issues around banned substances.

Elfie1976 · 13/03/2022 16:15

I think the school has moved on quite a bit academically from what I've heard, I'm not worried from an academic viewpoint. There's also banned substances going on in every school, it's how they deal with it that counts. I'm more interested in if the students feel supported and if their strengths are identified and encouraged, it's a big school and wonder if they get lost? Any feedback from current parents greatly appreciated

SkipJoan · 15/03/2022 08:44

How does Stowe suit girls?

Takeittotheboss · 15/03/2022 21:05

From everything that you say about your son I'd advise Bloxham. Stowe pupils tend to be quite harsh on any weakness and the more academic drive of late has put sportsmen and women lower down the ranks along with anyone genuinely needing support.

Labbaby · 12/01/2023 19:34

Having a child at Bloxham I can honestly say what a mistake we made.

Labbaby · 12/01/2023 19:35

Having a child at Bloxham I can honestly say what a mistake we have made

RedPanda2022 · 13/01/2023 17:13

@Labbaby are you able to say why Bloxham was a mistake? We know a couple of colleagues with dc there who are thriving and parents happy, ds has a place for yr9 but we still have another option as well.

Elfie1976 · 14/01/2023 18:21

Yes, can you expand?

Labbaby · 15/01/2023 19:20

The facilities are good and they say all the right things and put all the best out on show when you visit. But the pastoral care is dependent on how liked your child is, bullying is not addressed and standard of teaching is not as good as you would expect. Follow your instincts, you are on here as you have doubts about the school

RedPanda2022 · 16/01/2023 12:50

Thanks.

Elfie1976 · 14/03/2023 11:10

@DishyDad75 what did you decide in the end?

Original poster

DishyDad75 · 14/03/2023 12:01

We went for Bloxham in the end @Elfie1976 2 terms in and not regretting our decision as our son seems to have settled well but I have to be honest I am personally a little underwhelmed by the school overall - everything is just a bit average...

OP posts:

Elfie1976 · 14/03/2023 14:23

Good to hear he's settled well, I hope things get a bit of vavavoom to them soon, all the best.

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