Stamford School

Since September 2025, Chris Seal, previously head of the senior school at Tanglin Trust School in Singapore.

He began his career in the state sector (Dartford Grammar School), later moving to become head of physical education at Woodbridge School

About half come from Stamford Junior School with automatic entry, the rest from private and state primaries within the town and further afield to about a 20-mile radius. These children sit an entrance exam. A small cohort join in year 9 from local

Up to 40 leave after year 11, mainly to the local college for more vocational courses, some to other independents. Of those that stay, the vast majority go on to university; two to Oxbridge in 2024 and five medics. Lots of support for UCAS but school

In 2025, 50 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 37 per cent A*/A at A level (66 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning have changed dramatically with the amalgamation of the two schools. Some parents disappointed that ‘some good teachers have left’ – particularly from the boys’ school, it would appear. But there are plenty more still here. The

Some sort of SEN support is given to 381 pupils, which seems quite high out of a cohort of 1217. Very experienced learning and development team respected by parents. We spotted a few LDAs within the classroom offering discreet ‘live time’ support.

As you would expect, lots and lots of extracurricular options. ‘They have so much choice and so many opportunities,’ said every parent we spoke to. There are 430 after-school clubs, we were told by the diligent marketing boff who tracked our tour.

Stamford is unashamedly a rugby school, and a successful one at that. But that does not mean that other sports are overlooked. Hockey and cricket for all, tennis too; netball for the girls. Girls’ football successful. The non-sporty are encouraged to

Stamford is a day school with boarders, and is marketed as such. ‘The day pupil is not seen as a second-class citizen,’ says the interim head. Boarders mainly from within an hour of the school but with a high number of military families too. Of 144

Pastoral care appears to have been taken in hand and every parent we spoke to extolled it. ‘They have improved the wellbeing side of the school significantly,’ said one parent. Phoenix rooms are now on all sites offering a safe place for pupils. They

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Many pupils are second or third generation (or more) to attend the school, and have numerous relations there as well. This reflects the nature of the area. Farming families, local professionals and business owners, military personnel and – what

This is a value-for-money school. Fees are very moderate for the independent sector in this part of the world, particularly on the boarding side. Scholarships and bursaries are available. About a fifth of all families receive some bursary support.

It’s been all change here with the amalgamation of the schools and becoming co-ed, and the speed at which it has been done has left some breathless. But the dust is settling and the ‘Stamford Spires’ of the school are still going strong and heading