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.

OP. I don’t know the houses at Rugby but I doubt if any are awful. They have a high reputation for care of boarders and our friends were impressed with the school. I cannot remember what houses their DC were in! But you really wouldn’t go wrong with Rugby or Marlborough. I would still keep Stowe if DC liked it but it’s very rural.

Rugby has great info on their web site about the houses. You can certainly see where sporty cricket mad DC might be happy (Cotton) so read the info thoroughly!

Rugby - Excellent school (DS went there), far more 'humble' than its counterpart Marlborough. You will find a very different parent at both schools, one very down to earth, the other very twin set & pearls, depends what you're looking for.

Boys houses at Rugby, lovely atmosphere, good pastoral care, excellent housemasters but firm as well. I know a couple of the boys halls had a makeover some yrs ago, (2019).

Bedford - Also an Excellent school. Single sex boys school. I wouldn't compare it to the likes of Rugby, Marlborough etc as it is not a public school but an good independent. However, you are not looking for single sex so I won't go any further.

Tonty how about Rugby for girls in the sixth form? Sporty and academic, joiner in type. Not too glam or tictocky.

I wouldn't imagine Bedford (though a lovely school - ex BF went there) not in the same league as Marlborough/Rugby.

We know some nice girls off to Marlborough but I have heard it is quite elbows out, London / moneyed set. Would Rugby be more down to earth?

There are London parents who send DC to Rugby! It’s not a London DC free zone! Ditto Stowe! Rugby is co Ed all the way through so girls are not unique to 6th form. Marlborough is probably more fashionable.

When changing schools for a girl, if going to co ed, check arrangements for settling in. We disliked Uppingham for DD as there was a newbie 6th form girls’ house. Not great for integration. Look at how your DD is welcomed in the houses. We had some interesting encounters!

@OP Rugby will definitely be more down to earth. Rugby girls that I know are all very friendly and very welcoming. Lots of girls join in 6th form and very quickly are assimilated into friendship groups. They are very sporty and academic even more so than the boys but less obsessed with the glam, 'tiktockyness' you mention. That's not to say they don't do it at all but overall, Rugby girls are very 'active' doing other things so spend less time to spend glamming up i'd imagine. They are known for their floor-length uniform skirts, I understand there was a vote some yrs ago to see if they wanted to change the length and the majority vote was to keep them as they are! more importantly, as the girls liked to wear PJs or their leggings underneath to keep nice and warm .

Bedford, like I said is not a Public school but an normal indy but excellent at what it offers. It's not famous or world-renowned or had royalty attend so if that's what you're looking for then Bedford or any ordinary indy e.g Haileybury probably won't do for you. But if you are looking for a very good independent school for a boy with good academics, excellent pastoral care, inspiring head, loads of extra curriculars and great facilities then Bedford, I would highly recommend.

tolizerorfizz understand that Rugby is coed throughout but would require boarding due to distance and not willing to put the kids into boarding at 13 so wondered how it would be for 6th form. especially for girls. Not considering Stowe or Marlborough..

Thanks tonty that's really helpful. We are thinking maybe coed day til 16 and then Rugby / Bromsgrove for 6th form. DC are academic and sporty.

My DD was at Marlborough and I’m definitely not twin set and pearls. I found the common denominator was that the parents were super friendly and welcoming to new new 6th form parents. It is however incredibly difficult for boys to get a 6th form place. You are basically dependent on 1 or 2 boys leaving and then the stronger applicants get offered the place.

I’ve said before that Marlborough doesn’t suit all DC however, hence I think the mixed reviews. If your DC are resilient and independent, they will love it. If they need high levels of pastoral care go elsewhere.

Pastorally Marlborough is one of the few schools that seem to get it right most of the time.
Don’t go near Stowe. Awful
pastoral care which relies on affluent neglect to do nothing. Absent parents, or just buy your way out of bad behaviour. Don’t be fooled by the beautiful surroundings. All of the bad press one hears is totally true.
Have only ever come across lovely alumni from Haileybury. They seem to turn out lovely
people.

@Tonty They are known for their floor-length uniform skirts, I understand there was a vote some yrs ago to see if they wanted to change the length and the majority vote was to keep them as they are!

My daughter would freak out at this 😂her skirt just keeps getting shorter 🤦‍♀️

No up skirting at Rugby then!

I think most boarding schools suit independently minded DC. Also changing for 6.th form and leaving friends behind can be difficult for DC. They might actually like their day school. It’s a lottery regarding whether you are welcomed or not. Different year groups: different friendships and attitudes. Not everyone will be welcoming and DD disliked the attitude of some towards ethnic minorities when she went to a new 6th form. Right wing dogma. You won’t want to be friends with everyone!

@Fudgeball123 not sure if you have made a decision on schools yet but Bromsgrove is coed and has both day and boarding houses so why not go all through there, rather than swapping at 6th form? Day DC regularly change into the 6th form only boarding house so loads start boarding together at the same time. Sport is also really good at Bromsgrove with loads of mainstream and more minority sports on offer.

If you are looking at the aforementioned schools, then add the likes of Charterhouse,King's Canterbury,Oundle and Shrewsbury to your list.

Stowe is fabulous, for an international boarder you won’t be disappointed. Marlborough is a super school too. Either school would be a good choice.

Best advice I can offer look at the students as you look around. Do they look happy, engaged, stimulated? And try and speak to parents of former pupils and those pupils. Your child will probably be able to locate former students via social networks. All these schools have very glossy PR campaigns and spend a fortune presenting their best self (why would they not of course!) but our own experience was very different from the tour we went on and the promises made by the school in question (one of those 3). I don’t feel it’s appropriate to name the particular school publicly, but happy to answer question via DM.

As are drugs.

@TizerorFizzcan i learn more about haileybury? thanks