Visit to Stamford School – 21st April 2026
Having been an independent educational consultant for around 15 years now, but having advised on school choices for much longer than that, it is a pleasant surprise when a school previously not on your radar crops up as a refreshing revelation. When I first met Chris Seal, then Head of the Senior School of the Tanglin Trust in Singapore, he mentioned that he was moving to Stamford and it would be nice if I could visit. When we reconnected at the time of my visit to Stamford last week, he too admitted that he did not know of the school until he interviewed for the job. So, it is a bit of a hidden gem all round!
Up until 2023 the Stamford Endowed schools were made up of a co-ed Junior School, separate girls and boys schools 11-16, reconnecting as a co-ed 6th form. Now, they comprise one co-ed school of nearly 1,300 students from ages 2 to18. Of this, with only around 10% of the school boarding, it should be predominantly considered a day school, but as I have always said, the sign of a good boarding school should not be based on the percentage of boarders, but on the strength of the boarding experience. To this end, I saw very positive indications in the various boarding houses and meeting a number of boarding staff. In addition, with a high number of boarders from British army families, British expatriates can rest assured that there is a predominantly British body in the boarding houses with foreign nationals spread across a range of nationalities, not dominated by any one.
Educationally, the schools gets good average results which is in keeping with its broad admissions intake, but most importantly, it seems that more able students are helped to achieve their potential as academic scholarships are awarded after entry to ensure that the most able are identified. Equally, there is a range of Btecs on offer, including a new Engineering one, for students who suit this way of learning better than a diet simply of more traditional A levels.
Sports are strong with ex professional cricketers, rugby players and footballers on the staff, and students showing promise have the opportunity for external training.
Whilst I am well aware that expatriate families are often looking for schools in the home counties, those who are prepared to look further afield, particularly those who might otherwise be considering neighbouring schools such as Uppingham, Oundle and Oakham, would be advised to give this long established institution a look. And it should be added, that apart from the school itself, the small market town of Stamford around which the school is dotted, should be considered a big draw to the school community as well as Burghley House and its beautiful parkland which is nestled next to the town. And as for transport links, whilst Heathrow airport is up to 2 hours away, East Midlands airport is little over an hour away, and Peterborough station, with 45 minute trains into London St Pancras, is only 15 minutes away.
Definitely a school worth a visit if you are looking for something a bit …
