Facts & figures

Stowe is a co-educational, boarding School of nearly 750 pupils (September 2009), having grown from 610 in just 3 years. The School enjoys a national reputation and attracts pupils from across the UK; a further 10% of its pupils are international. Nearly 90% of pupils enjoy full boarding, but the School also welcomes over 70 day pupils from nearby towns and villages – some of these are on scholarships specifically intended for local pupils

Stoics live in one of twelve boarding Houses. Each has its own feel and ethos. From the start, families are encouraged to choose the House that feels most suitable for them.

Set in 750 acres of the most remarkable landscape gardens and parkland, and within one of the finest neo-classical palaces in Europe, Stoics enjoy surroundings of extraordinary historical and architectural significance. Unique to Stowe are the lessons in ‘Visual Education’ given to all boys and girls in the 3rd form – these provide new Stoics with an understanding and appreciation of their environment.

Dr Anthony Wallersteiner is the School’s seventh Headmaster. Educated at Trinity, Cambridge, and an Art Historian, he was recognised as Tatler’s ‘Headmaster of the Year’ in 2007. The School was also short-listed for the School of the Year award last year.

Academic achievement. The School aims to see every pupil achieve the very best that they are capable of: Stoics are regularly offered places at Oxbridge, and last year 87% of pupils gained places at their first choice university. This academic ethos is balanced by a huge variety of extra-curricular, sporting and artistic opportunities. Stowe sets itself apart in its commitment to nurturing the individual passions and talents of each pupil – wherever these may lie.

Scholarships and Bursaries. The School is eager to attract the most enthusiastic and talented children, for which a programme of Scholarships are available – Academic, Sport, Music, Art and All-round. A Bursary Fund also provides financial support for those most in need.

The ‘Branson Scholars at Stowe’ scheme – named after one of the School’s best-known Old Stoics – provides a year’s education for five disadvantaged children from Johannesburg. This has opened their eyes to culture and opportunity beyond their own country as well as being of enormous benefit to pupils and staff at Stowe.

Quality of Teaching: Stowe is committed to attracting the finest teaching staff in the country. The ratio of pupils to teachers (marginally better than 8:1) is amongst the lowest of all major independent Schools.

The ‘League Table of Life’: Stowe is very proud of the lives, achievements and lasting legacy of those who have left the School. In a survey of the obituary columns in UK newspapers, only 2 School names appear more frequently. These individuals fit no mould, contributing to all aspects of life: academic, military, business, humanitarian…

Royal Patronage: Stowe is proud that since its foundation 86 years ago, every reigning monarch or monarch’s consort has visited the School: most recently Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh in November 2007, to open one of our new boarding Houses for girls.