Haileybury vs Marlborough vs Stowe

[Cfs1668]

Which school would you pick of out of these three? I quite like the school site of Stowe school, however there isn't much information from parents in the past so I would like to ask for some opinion.

Do you have offers from all 3? I believe Marlborough is one of the most popular boarding schools in the U.K. at the moment, Haileybury isn't in the same league.

I'm still thinking of apply for one of these as we can't take all the entrance exams , they are similar dates. so just want to see if any parent's son/daughter is studying and give me update comment, thx !

Martlborough is more competitive than the other two. Stowe is in the middle of nowhere.DD felt it too remote when she looked for 6th form. Having human life nearby was one of her goals. Not wildlife. Lots of local DC and it’s linked with local preps. Others come from London.

When DD1 was at school in Herts, lots of the brothers of the girls went to Haileybury. The parents seemed happy with it. But that’s a while ago now. What does your prep or agent think?

Thank you for the reply. my son just like the environment of Stowe but didn't know anything about their boarding life and Pastoral Care. He is very independent but not sporty. since we are overseas boarder so we want to know more about their support for international student, also Haileybury and Marlborough.

I would expect Marlborough would be more academic than Stowe. I haven't heard of Haileybury.

Thanks for the comment. Any more comment if Marlborough compare with Rugby & Oakham?

Would agree with pp that Haileybury isn’t in the same league at all. Only know of it because we used to live near it, the other 2 would be internationally known if you move in those sort of circles.

My partner went to Haileybury. Had an absolutely brilliant time and is now a higher earner in his chosen field.

Thank you very much for the comment !

Thanks Trainfromredhill

I only know Marlborough by reputation. Stowe has beautiful facilities (my son plays cricket there regularly) but has historically had a bit of a mixed reputation.

Haileybury a good all rounder, nice facilities (the food in their dining room is excellent!). Not as academic as some of its competitors but would appeal to sporty outdoor types (I have two friends whose kids went there recently).

The other popular boarding schools amongst parents I know are Harrow, Eton, Whitgift and Bedford.

Thanks lot123, but Whitgift and Bedford are boys school and the boarder ratio too low. I still prefer full boarding school. Do you know Rugby School and Oakham ?

Bedford is boys and girls. Don't know Rugby and I've only seen a little of Oakham as my son did a residential camp there.

You'd get more targeted advice if you shared what you're looking for. For example, if you're looking for a highly academic girls' boarding school, have you considered Wycombe Abbey?

Rugby and Marlborough are very different offerings to Haileybury and Stowe for example.

Bedford is an excellent school.

I've heard Rugby is excellent.

Try an A levels league table like this to see how the schools rank academically.
www.best-schools.co.uk/uk-school-league-tables/list-of-league-tables/top-100-schools-by-a-level
So if you want academic, co-ed boarding school look at possibly (2021 results??)
Brighton College 95% A/A*
Uppingham 85%
Rugby 83%
Caterham 83%

Marlborough was 75%, Haileybury 70%.. Stowe is 60%

But these results are 2021 so dubious.. try to find 2019 results.

@lot123
You don’t seem to know many top schools.

Haileybury is the former “staff college”. Formerly the college for the East India Company. Not sure how many boarders they have though.

I know DC who went to Rugby. It’s excellent. Similar to Marlborough in standards. I think Oakham is fairly rural and similar to Stowe. Uppingham is definitely rural.

As an international pupil you do need full boarding or near to it. Caterham is far from that. Brighton has far more boarders than it did.

I would consider adding Rugby and Brighton to your search. Stowe if DS likes it. Standards of education are very decent in all these schools. Plenty of bright DC at Rugby and Marlborough.

Oundle could also be good?

Thanks for the reply. Yes , i prefer academically, co-ed and full boarding school and also comparing the result in 2019. The Caterham School boarding ratio lower than Rugby and Uppingham. Do you have any information about Rugby boy's house? I tried to search online but isn't, thx !

Oundle only selected candidate can access the interview after you paid registration fee $250, so I will not apply and seems i will lost $250,LOL

@TizerorFizz, thx for the details !! as per the result of 2019, Rugby is better than Marlborough, but both are academically with high boarding ratio, Do you more information about Rugby boys house ? I can't find anything online even I checked with school.
Brighton is too expensive, we can't afford it.

What do you mean by more information about Rugby boys' house? The boys' boarding houses? There are lots of them.

You don’t seem to know many top schools.

Thanks for the feedback... In fairness, I know most of the top schools around London, but they're mainly day schools.

I've only commented on the schools I know about as I have friends with kids there (Harrow, Eton, Haileybury, Whitgift, Bedford, Stowe and randomly, Gordonstoun). I also have a friend who's a head at a boarding school and it's interesting to hear their views on the schools, which are very different to the glossy marketing spiel, particularly for one of the schools above.

If posters know the other schools mentioned, that's great but there's no need to be rude when people are trying to help. And, for the record, the first few schools mentioned would not be considered top schools under any criteria.

Anyway, all the best for your search OP.

(Excluding Marlborough)

One of my best friends is in a very senior role at Marlborough. They are an amazing teacher and a really great leader. Based on that I would have no hesitation sending my children there if I wanted them to go to boarding school.