Founded in 1923, it lies in a 750 acre park landscaped by Vanbrugh, Bridgman, Kent and Brown. The main building, the original Stowe House, has modern facilities and is well equipped; 2 new girls' boarding houses are the most recent additions. The school is now fully co-educational: girls were admitted at 13 from 2005, after some 30 years of running a mixed sixth form. Academic standards are high and examination results good. There is a strong emphasis on pastoral care and the availability of personal help and guidance. High standards are achieved in a wide variety of sports and games and the school is strong in music, drama and art. A large number of clubs and societies cater for almost every extra-mural interest. There is a strong commitment to local community schemes and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Health education and environmental issues form integral parts of the general studies programme and there is a visual education course, which fosters appreciation of architecture and the built environment.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 724 pupils, 96 day (69 boys, 27 girls), 628 boarding (426 boys, 202 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance used (50% pass mark). For sixth form entry, 2 entry papers, verbal reasoning, school report and a minimum of 6 GCSEs (at least 4 at grade B) including sixth form subjects. Any special skill is of interest; no religious requirements but pupils must attend religious services. 4% main intake from state schools; other pupils come from prep schools across the country.
A wide range of scholarships, supported if necessary by bursaries: academic, music, art, sport, all-rounder. Limited number of fully-funded places available each year.
Headmaster: Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, in post from 2003. Educated at universities of Cambridge (history) and Kent (history and theory of art). Previously taught at schools including St Paul's, Sherborne and Tonbridge. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 20 part time. Annual turnover 5%.
GCSE: 97 pupils in upper fifth: 97% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 142 in upper sixth: 9% passed in 4+ subjects; 91% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 304.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (35% after a gap year), 7% to Oxbridge. 4% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 65% in humanities and social sciences, 9% in art and design, 5% in other subjects such as drama, music, art (including those at specialist colleges). Others typically go straight into careers, or to art or other non-degree courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects offered; 28 at AS/A level. 15% take science A levels; 54% arts/humanities; 31% both. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level; general studies not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Regular part-time support for those with special learning difficulties. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Further languages may be offered. Regular individual exchanges for sixth formers to France and Germany, occasionally Spain and Russia. French, German and Spanish nationals as assistant teachers. Subsidiary Russian and Eurolingua Society in sixth form. ICT: Taught across the curriculum, particularly in science (for example, the A level physics package delivered over school network as part of Institute of Physics 'Advancing Physics' project). Computers available for pupil use (15 hours a day), all with email and internet access (all pupils' studies in boarding houses have internet access). Almost all pupils have their own laptops (school scheme to help pupils buy a laptop, configured for the school network and supported by the school ). Extensive intranet with dynamic educational resources to support and supplement classroom teaching and individual study.
Annual Stowe Festival: 4 days of music, art, drama, dance, science and sport in a mix of workshops, performances, lectures and masterclasses. Music: Almost 33% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 15 musical groups including orchestra, choral society, jazz bands, rock bands, chapel choir. Drama: Theatre studies A level may be taken. Most pupils are involved in school and/or other productions. Major production each year, recently Les Misérables. Regular entrants to drama school and National Theatre Company (several present pupils involved in films). Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 20 A level. Graphic design, textiles, sculpture and theatre design also offered.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket are major sports for boys; tennis, lacrosse, hockey for girls. Optional: wide range of sports/activities, school very strong at several minor sports including clay pigeon, fly fishing, beagles, sculling, sailing, fives. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Expeditions to eg Honduras, Amazonia. Over 30 clubs, including choral, drama, debating, literary, photographic, Christian Union.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - nominated by staff and pupils, appointed by Headmaster. Religion: Church of England. Compulsory attendance at chapel and assembly. Social: Industrial Conference (with Royal Latin School), public-speaking with other schools. Organised trips abroad to places such as Nepal, classics trip to Greece/Italy, USA, South America, Russia, art trips to Italy and New York. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals; central dining, self-service (modern servery). School shop. No alcohol allowed except beer, cider and wine in supervised bar for top year.
A well understood system of detention and sanctions exists. Pupils failing to produce satisfactory work once should expect to do it again properly with possible further sanctions; those found taking drugs at school can expect expulsion (the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse are discussed in personal health and safety education programme).
All sixth form have own study bedroom. Houses of 60-65 pupils, full age range. Resident qualified nurses in medical centre; doctor visits daily. Two central dining rooms. Pupils can provide and cook their own food and snacks in House. Exeats at half-term and up to two other weekends each term. Visits to the local town allowed with staff permission. Extensive weekend activity programme.
is run locally by Mr Tim Scarff, c/o the school.
Grp Capt Lord (Leonard) Cheshire, Sir Richard Branson (entrepreneur), Sir Nicholas Henderson (former British ambassador to the US), Laurence Whistler (poet and artist), Lord Annan (military intelligence officer), David Niven (actor), George Melly (jazz artist), Peregrine Worsthorne and George Monbiot (journalists), Gavin Maxwell (naturalist), Howard Goodall (composer).
|
