Our purpose is to create a community of Change Makers ready to transform the world.
We are opportunity-led and believe that schools must equip pupils to thrive in a fast-moving, ever-changing world. We prepare Change Makers for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technology which hasn’t yet been invented, to solve problems which we haven’t yet thought about. We can’t compete on labour costs or raw materials, but we can set the pace in intellectual capital, creativity and entrepreneurial flair. Yes, we teach pupils numeracy and literacy and how to excel in exams, but we also teach them how to collaborate, to solve problems, to think critically and to reflect. We equip them with the skills, resilience and ideas they need to adapt and flourish.
It is what pupils do with the knowledge they acquire which will turn them into Change Makers. Emotional intelligence, teamwork and thought-leadership enable pupils to take advantage of new technologies, limitless access to information and advances in engineering, robotics and artificial intelligence. With empathy, versatility, originality and creativity, Stowe’s inclusive community is transforming how young people are prepared to enter the world beyond the school gates. We have created a fully integrated programme of interventions: putting Change Makers at the centre of everything we do and providing transformational opportunities in and outside the classroom.
We offer co-curricular breadth and depth with a sports programme which encourages full participation while developing the talents of our elite athletes (which include Olympic medallists such as James Rudkin for rowing and Marilyn Okoro for track and field). Music, art, drama and creative writing encourage Change Makers to express themselves in diverse ways, transcending political, social and cultural boundaries while bringing a greater understanding of human experience.
We catalyse change by providing generous Change 100 bursaries, inspirational teaching and coaching, infrastructural investment, treating our work force as valued colleagues and prioritising social and environmental impact. By promoting equality and inclusion we move forward to realise our dream; every pupil at Stowe should go into the world to make positive change, create new opportunities and build a better future for all.
Stowe is a boarding and day School with boys and girls from 13 to 18. The School roll is 906, comprising 611 boarders and 295 day pupils. Pupils are also accepted each year for two-year A level courses.
Houses. There are currently nine boys’ and six girls’ Houses. Two new girls’ Houses, one Boarding and one Day House, will be opening in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
The curriculum. The academic experience at Stowe is designed to encourage intellectual curiosity, a thirst for knowledge and understanding, and independence of thought and expression. Stoics are asked to be committed and enthusiastic learners, to embrace challenge and to see failure as a necessary step in achieving progress. They are urged to be ambitious, make the most of their academic opportunities and to continually strive to improve their skills.
Art, Design and Information Technology. All pupils are introduced to these subjects in their first year at Stowe. Art and Design are popular both for those pursuing hobbies and for those studying for formal examinations. Traditional skills are covered alongside more modern techniques such as computer-aided design and desktop publishing. A new two-storey state-of-the-art DTE facility opens in January 2025, and will comprise modern teaching spaces, studios and workshops, and will serve as its own educational resource.
Music and Drama. These subjects flourish as important and integral parts of the School’s activities both within and outside the formal curriculum. There is plenty of scope to get involved in the School orchestras, jazz band, clarinet quartet, choirs, School plays, House plays and House entertainments. The timetable is sufficiently flexible to allow special arrangements to be made for outstanding musicians to study outside School. Drama clubs and theatre studies groups have a fully equipped theatre at their disposal. The refurbishment of the theatre and classrooms, alongside a purpose-built music school, allows these creative arts to flourish.
Careers guidance. Careers education forms a continuous thread throughout a Stoic’s time at Stowe. It aims to provide a framework within which each can develop the self-awareness and experience necessary to make balanced decisions at each stage during their time at the School and, hopefully, after they leave. Stowe’s Careers Education & Guidance Programme begins when pupils join the Third Form at 13. It aims to provide increasing contact with the world outside, throughout a Stoic’s time at School and to help reach those decisions which affect their future in as well-informed and balanced a way as possible. Every encouragement is given to discuss the various options with Houseparent, Tutor and Careers Staff.
Religion. The School’s foundation is to provide education in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and this is reflected in its Chapel services. Pupils of other faiths and other Christian Churches are welcomed and, in some cases, separate arrangements are made for them on Sundays. Every pupil attends the chapel services on weekdays.
Games. The main sports for boys are rugby, hockey, athletics, tennis and cricket; for girls, hockey, netball, lacrosse, cricket, athletics and tennis. Stowe also offers an exceptionally wide range of other sports, giving everybody the opportunity to take part in an activity they enjoy.
Significant investment has been made in our sports facilities in recent years and Stowe has some wonderful facilities which include:
•8 rugby pitches
•7 cricket squares
•double floodlit Astroturf
•4 football pitches
•eight-lane athletics track with comprehensive field event facilities
•four-court Badminton Sports Hall
•BHS highly commended Equestrian Centre, including a cross-country course and a floodlit arena
•3 lacrosse pitches
•11 lanes of turf cricket nets & 10 lanes of Astroturf nets
•3 squash courts
•state-of-the-art gym
•3 fives courts
•25-metre six-lane competition pool
•clay pigeon shooting range
•4 netball courts
•27 tennis courts
•12 spinning bikes
•9-hole golf course and teaching studio.
Other activities. Pupils complement their games programme with a broad variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies.
On Mondays, a special activities programme is based on Service at Stowe and at the heart of this is the Combined Cadet Force with all three service arms, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, Community Service (in the neighbourhood) and Leadership skills.
The Award at Stowe. This is designed to encourage Stoics to see the benefits of engaging fully in all areas of School life and to ensure that Stoics finish their time at Stowe with valuable experiences and qualifications which will help them stand out in a fast-changing world, while also offering the opportunity to learn through positive experience. Stoics engage with The Award at three different levels during their time at Stowe. At all levels they will be expected to engage in eight key areas of School life; Academic Achievement, Achieving, Beyond Term-Time and Citizenship, Sport and Physical Activity, The Arts, In the Community and Thinking Differently.
Fees per term (2025 Lent & Summer Term). Boarders: £17,746.38 (incl. VAT), Day in Boarding pupils: £12,758.88 (incl. VAT), Day House pupils: £10,816.32 (incl. VAT) payable before the commencement of the School term to which they relate. A deposit is payable when Parents accept the offer of a place. This deposit is repaid by means of a credit to the final payment of fees or other sums due to the School on leaving.
Scholarships and bursaries. A range of Scholarships and Exhibitions are offered at Stowe. Scholarships may be supplemented by means-tested bursaries, with a limited number of fully funded places, where there is proven financial need.
Academic Scholarships
Academic Scholarships are awarded to those applicants who can demonstrate very high levels of academic attainment (Academic Scholars tend to achieve eight or more GCSEs at grade 8 or 9 by Year 11), as well having as a real enthusiasm for learning and showing a genuine commitment to academic pursuits and extension.
Art Scholarships
Art Scholarships are offered to pupils who show an exceptional ability to think and create with skill, imagination and passion. The committed Art Scholar will be a leader in their Year Group and beyond, organising and participating in exhibitions, entering competitions and pushing the boundaries of their working practice at all times. Art Scholars are exemplary in their commitment to the Art School, taking full advantage of daily activity sessions and weekend workshops.
Chess Scholarships
Stowe runs an active and successful Chess Club which meets weekly throughout the year. There is an Inter-House Chess Tournament and the Club regularly plays team fixtures against other schools. Stowe also plays host to two open Chess tournaments per year for primary and secondary pupils, which usually attract between 80-120 players. Each year we award a single Chess Scholarship to a pupil joining in each of our Third and Sixth Forms. The successful Chess Scholars will be expected to play an active role with the Chess Club, to represent the School in Chess fixtures against other schools and to play in the two open tournaments hosted by Stowe.
Drama Scholarships
Drama Scholars are expected to take the subject at GCSE and to audition for all co-curricular School productions including Congreve and Junior Congreve. Academically, Drama Scholars are expected to show devotion and enthusiasm, maintaining high standards of academic achievement throughout the GCSE course, with the expected outcome of a Grade 9/8 A*/A. In School productions, Scholars are expected to show commitment to the development of skill and dedication to the process of making theatre, setting an example both on stage and in the rehearsal room and acting as ambassadors in the wider School body and as representatives of the School at public performances.
Design Scholarships
Alongside our Scholars deepening their knowledge of the subject through the study of the GCSE in Design Technology (Edexcel), they also develop an appreciation of various architectural styles; experiencing first hand an understanding of what constitutes beautiful design. Scholars engage in our termly manufacturing and disassembly projects with the intent of improving the aesthetic and mechanical properties of existing products, as well as learning about the precision involved in world-class engineering.
Equestrian Scholarships
Equestrian Scholars, along with their own pony/horse, are expected to play an active role in participating and promoting Equestrian sport both within Stowe as well as externally. Equestrian Scholars will regularly represent the School at competitions, including National School Equestrian Association (NSEA), be role models to others in the team by displaying strong teamwork skills and will use their own growth and development to inspire others. We are looking for candidates who have a strong bond with their pony/horse and who are able to demonstrate their passion and commitment to the sport.
Golf Scholarships
Candidates must possess a demonstrable track record of golfing achievement at a high level. This would normally include evidence of success at County/Regional level, along with being in possession of an established official WHS golf handicap. Golf Scholarships will only be awarded to candidates who are outstanding golfers or good golfers that show serious potential.
Music Scholarships
A number of awards are made each year, ranging from Exhibitions (free instrumental tuition on one or two instruments) to Scholarships (a Scholarship plus free instrumental tuition on two instruments). A candidate’s musicianship and practice ethic will have a direct bearing on any award granted, and successful candidates will be expected to play a full and active role in the Department, including membership of our choirs.
Sports Scholarships and Exhibitions
These may be awarded to exceptional candidates at 13+ and 16+ showing outstanding potential in at least one of Stowe’s main sports; boys: rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and athletics; girls: hockey, netball, lacrosse, cricket, tennis and athletics. Exceptional ability in individual sports may also be considered. Each application is reviewed on its merits and due consideration is given to the contribution they would make to sport at Stowe.
Roxburgh Scholarships
In addition to strong academic potential which will be demonstrated by exams in English, Maths and Science (in which we would expect candidates to achieve 70%+), it is expected that candidates will display excellence in at least one of the following: Art, Design, Drama, Music or Sport. Due to the high academic standard required, candidates cannot be awarded both an Academic Scholarship and a Roxburgh Scholarship.
The Sixth Form Berry Scholarship for Original Thinking reflects the importance of original and creative thinking, not just in itself but, crucially, to the future needs of business and wider society. Macro-level changes to the world’s economic make-up, coupled with technological advancement, changing workforce demographics, global integration and increased competition have meant that approaches and attitudes towards work have transformed - indeed, the world of work is almost unrecognisable compared with that of just a few years ago. We want pupils to leave Stowe, not only with an ability to adapt and thrive in that volatile world, but with the confidence to make positive change. Their ability to use the skills of original thinking will be key to that - and so we seek candidates who will be ‘constructive non-conformists’ within our community, and set an example for others to follow.
Change 100. Our ambition and mission is to raise an endowment fund of £100 million over the next ten years. This will transform our long-term ability to provide the life-changing chance of a Stowe education to talented and deserving children from socially diverse and financially disadvantaged backgrounds. This endowment will provide 100 free places in the School at all times, and forever, enabling 20 children in each year group to attend the School on a fully funded place. To ensure that Change 100 has an immediate impact, we have also pledged to spend the first £1 million raised each year on places the following September. We are delighted that in September 2021, the first ten children joined us on our Change 100 programme and look forward to growing that number significantly in the years to come.
Full details may be obtained from The Registrar.
Admissions. Boys and girls can be registered at any age. Full details can be obtained from the Admissions Department (admissions@stowe.co.uk), who will supply registration forms. The School is always prepared to consider applications from pupils to enter the School at age 14, if places are available. The date of birth should be stated and it should be noted that boys and girls are normally admitted between their 13th and 14th birthdays, or for Sixth Form age 16+.
The Old Stoic Society. Director: Anna Semler. Old Stoic Society Office: Tel 01280 818252, email oldstoic@stowe.co.uk.
Charitable status. Stowe School Limited is a Registered Charity, number 310639. The primary objects of the charity, as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, are to acquire Stowe House, which was achieved in 1923, and to provide education in accordance with the principles of the Church of England.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Mr Simon C Creedy Smith, BA, FCA (Chairman) [OS]
Mr Christopher J Tate, BA, MIMC (Vice Chair) [OS]
The Rev Peter Ackroyd, MA, MBA, PhD
Ms Rowena Bolton, BSc, BArch, RIBA
Mr Patrick Bradshaw, BA
Ms Rebecca Brown, BA
Ms Julie C Brunskill, BSc, MRICS
Mr Harry Cole, BA, MRICS, MCR
Mr Simon Cuerden, BA, ACA
Mr Rupert Fordham, BA Cantab
Mr John Frost, BSc, MRICS, MNAEA, MARLAz [OS]
Mr Will Jakeman, BSc, PGCSE
Mr Sunjeewa Jayawardena BSc, MBA
Mrs Andrea Johnson, BSc, PGCE
Mrs Mairi Johnstone, LLB, DipLP, BSc, MBA, GradCG
Mrs Catriona Lloyd, MA Cantab
Mr Doug Muirhead
Jena Ntumba
Ms Emma Taylor MA Oxon, PGCE
Mr Chris Wheeler BA, MBA, PGCE, FRSA
Mr Luke Chauveau (Chair of the Old Stoic Society)
Mr Andrew Tucker, BA (President of the Campaign for Stowe)
Mr Andy Butterworth, MA Cantab, DChA (Secretary to the Governors)
[OS] Old Stoic
Head: A K Wallersteiner, MA, PhD
Senior Deputy Head: L Copley
Deputy Head (Academic): Dr J A Potter
Deputy Head (Pastoral) & Designated Safeguarding Lead: M Rickner
Director of Sport: C Sutton
Co-curricular Coordinator: G D Jones
Faculty Chairs and Heads of Department:
ARTS & CULTURE Faculty Chair: Emma Bryden
Art: Katherine Loudoun
Design: Martin Quinn
Drama: Simon Miller
Music: Emma Bryden
ENGLISH, MEDIA & SKILLS Faculty Chair: Emma Ackroyd
English: Nicola Borman
Library: Lucinda Stockley-Battams
Media/Film Studies: Emma Ackroyd
Skills & EAL: Katie Farley
HUMANITIES Faculty Chair: Dr Julie Potter
Geography: Becky Stanworth
History: Dominic Green
History of Art: Elliott Christie
Philosophy & Religion: Francesca Holloway
Politics: Simon Cole
LANGUAGES Faculty Chair: Alice Tearle
AFL: Dr Isabel Ferrero
Classics: Dr Gavin McCormick
French: Fanny Leluan
German: Alice Tearle
Spanish: Julio Morales-Shearer
SCIENCE Faculty Chair: James Tearle
Biology: Louise Carter
Chemistry: Dr Alex Waine
Physics: Paul Thompson
Psychology: Aidan Harvey-Craig
Sports Science: Andrew Jackson
SOCIAL SCIENCES Faculty Chair: Sophie Penryhn-Lowe
Business: William Freeman
Computer Science: Ebo Acquaah
Economics: Anthony Ashfield
Maths: Mikkel Møller
Sixth Form Maths: Sophie Penryhn-Lowe
Digital Learning: Adi Gupta
Projects: Jessica Reinhold
PSHE: Elizabeth Huxley Capurro
Houses and Houseparents:
Boys’ Houses:
Temple: B J Hart
Grenville: Whitby, S
Chandos: A Ashfield
Cobham: R Corthine
Chatham: P Dias
Grafton: S Fitzpatrick
Walpole: G D Jones
Girls’ Houses:
Nugent: T Jones & Z Jones
Lyttelton: Dr S Lyons & R Deyzel
Queen’s: S Rickner & M Rickner
Stanhope: L Carter
Sixth Form House:
West: S Sutton
Day Houses:
Cheshire: C Davis
Winton: J Peppiatt
Croft: Dr G West
Medical Officer: Dr Tom Evans
Director of Development: C Dudgeon
Group Director of Marketing and Admissions: T Roddy
Group Director of Finance: M Greaves