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Why Bowbrook​

In trying to decide how best to welcome parents to this section of the website and how best to paint for you the very special ‘family atmosphere’ that pervades all we do at Bowbrook, I decided to turn to the parents themselves and other visitors as well and to the most recent ISI inspection reports, which you will find here on the website…The best ‘advert’ is by word of mouth as it were. I have many, many more letters, quotes and cards of thanks, far too many to be included here, but I have tried to give you a flavour…I hope you find them useful.

C.D.Allen.
Headmaster.

Our School Ethos

In a rapidly changing and highly competitive world it is vital that pupils achieve their best academic potential. Through our focus on the individual we ensure that all pupils not only realise their talents but that they also develop the necessary skills for life that are timeless in their application.

“The quality of pupils’ personal development is Excellent”

Traditional values such as mutual respect; a quiet self- assurance; compassion and tolerance are some of the principles that are implicitly taught through the use of positive peer role models, in the form of our prefects and house captains for example and our emphasis upon ‘endeavour’ alongside ‘achievement’.

“Pupils demonstrate high levels of moral awareness and their behaviour is excellent”

We strive to develop lively and enquiring minds and as pupils progress through the school, an increasingly mature understanding of their responsibility in the learning process. We recognise that the National Curriculum provides a framework for a consistent whole school approach to learning and this is constantly reflected in our policies and practices.

However, education does not stand still and we are keen to take account of new educational developments in order to provide the best and most up to date resources for our children’s learning.

“The respect that pupils extend to one another leads them to accept and value diversity within their own school”

Every day is an open day at Bowbrook House School. We would be delighted to have the opportunity to show you our school at work.

“They are enthusiastic. Keen to learn, cooperative and determined”

All quotes from ISI inspection report 2019

Get in touch with Bowbrook

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Dear Headteacher, Leadership Team, Teachers and Support Team, 
The definition of ‘thank you’ in the Cambridge Dictionary is as follows,

“used to tell someone that you are grateful because they have given you something or done something for you”.

This definition doesn’t start to convey what the staff team at Bowbrook have done for my daughter over the past 7 years and particularly over the last two academic years during Covid. 

Not just on the odd occasion but every day of her school life staff have gone above and beyond in supporting her educationally, emotionally and holistically. We have watched her grow from an anxious and uncertain little girl to a confident young lady who has thrived and not just survived her school days. 

This is all credit to you Mr Allen, your leadership, the skill of the teaching team and the community ethos that is embedded in the school. Every day your staff deserve huge gratitude for all their hard work. Over the last two years your staff have also demonstrated the ability to adapt to new environments and challenges and their dedication to keeping the pupils well-being and safety has been stronger than ever. Enabling the pupils to continue to discover new ways to learn and engage with the school. 

So yes I agree that it is important to thank teachers on National Thank a Teacher Day but this thank you is made, many times silently, every day. Please pass this email onto your team and I know that you will ensure that your team know that both pupils and parents/guardians really, really do appreciate all that you and your team do. 

Parents of Year 11, after 5 years at Bowbrook

At the end of ​*****’s first term at Bowbrook we just wanted to say a huge thank you and what an amazing school you run. Words cannot do justice to how much Bowbrook has changed and in fact saved ​*****’s life. In the space of a term he has gone from an extremely anxious, insular child devoid of any self confidence and self worth, who could barely make it through two full taster days, who didn’t want to live anymore let alone go to school, to a child who now absolutely loves life and school, is beginning to believe in himself and his abilities, and his self worth and understands why people may actually want to be and are friends with him and he is continuing to build on that in leaps and bounds everyday that he is at Bowbrook.

We never in our life thought we would ever hear him utter the words “I can’t wait to go back to school” which is what he was saying after the first half term at Bowbrook. Quite a change from constantly hearing “I hate to school” and “Do I have to go?” In the space of a term he is unrecognisable from the child he was and ever has been and we can’t thank you and all the wonderful staff at Bowbrook enough for that.
 
It maybe unfair to draw direct comparisons, but as a school Bowbrook really does put ​********** School to shame in every way and is so much richer than ​********** ever could be.
 
Wishing you a wonderful Summer break and for the first time ever we can relax and enjoy the Summer knowing that ​***** will actually be desperate to return to school in September!

What Year 7 Parents, 2025, have to say about Bowbrook

The fact that the school and the classes are very small, enables ***** to feel more relaxed, confident and in control, answer questions and contribute within class and achieve far better results
From a Year 7 parent
***** feels far more understood and part of a team instead of on the outside. This also has increased her feelings of self-worth and self-esteem which I feel is very important as she enters adolescence.
From a Year 7 parent
***** progress and achievements within school just show how Bowbrook is absolutely the right school for ***** in order to meet not only their educational needs, but also their Social and Emotional needs.
From a Year 7 parent
***** is enjoying school life for the first time ever which is fabulous.
From a Year 7 parent
Bowbrook House has helped ***** confidence grow enormously. It is wonderful to see the changes in them both academically and personally, and how much their feelings of self-worth and self-esteem have grown as a result of her attending Bowbrook House School’
From a Year 7 parent
Bowbrook's structure makes her want to put more effort into her school work and activities, and achieve better results for herself and the school as a whole.
From a Year 7 parent
Because it is such a small school, all the staff know pupils very well now and ***** is able to feel fully supported. The staff have more time to give individual children the time and individual help they require. This gives ***** far more confidence and a level of understanding to achieve well in lessons.
From a Year 7 parent
Because of the school’s small, calm, nurturing and friendly environment, each pupil is known to every member of staff, ***** sense of belonging enables them to feel understood. This is something incredibly important to ***** and their ability to comply. ****** is able to relax and engage far more within the school environment and importantly have the opportunity to perform to the very best of their academic abilities.
From a Year 7 parent
Without *****being able to attend Bowbrook House School, I firmly believe that it would be a very different situation for ***** and their education and emotional health would be suffering greatly as a result.
From a Year 7 parent

From the Leavers and parents of of S11

I wanted to put pen to paper to thank you for your unfailing belief in my child. You do not need to tell me what an amazing job you have done. The evidence speaks for itself when you watch and look at ​​​​​***** 's confidence, assurance in herself and her happiness. The knock-on effect for me and for us as a family unit has been immeasurable. Please do not underestimate exactly how much this has helped us all and we are eternally grateful. As a mum I was at my whit's end. You have nurtured ***** exactly as you said you would and helped her fulfill her academic potential. Thank you for everything!
From a Year 11 parent
Thank you for having a role in shaping our two boys into the lovely young men they are today. They have had an incredible experience at Bowbrook and we thank you for the consistent encouragement and support you have shown.
More Year 11 parents
"I know I have said it before but I am so grateful to you and all the staff who have worked so hard to support *******. She had written herself off two years ago particularly in terms of Maths and Sciences. From 4% in Physics in her last school to being absolutely delighted with her GCSE results this year! 6s and 7s in the sciences! We will forever be in your debt!"
Year 11 leaver's parents
"I just wanted to say how grateful I am for you allowing me to be at this amazing school for the last five years. I wanted to say a big THANK YOU for running such an amazing school and being such an inspirational headmaster. I really appreciate everything you have done for me"
S11 leaver
"You have given this young man an opportunity in life that others were not able to and for that we will be eternally grateful"
Parents of year 11 leaver
"It is wonderful seeing her having a much more positive experience of schooling. Thank you for making her feel so welcome in her first year. She has recently been reporting having to try not to laugh in lessons - in years past, at her old school, she would have been trying not to cry!"
A Year 7 starter
"Bowbrook has turned my life around and given me the opportunity to express my true self. Taking part in drama and sport was not something I desired at my previous school but I found at Bowbrook that this is where I shine most!"
Year 11 leaver
Thank you for continuing to provide such a wonderful school for our children.
From a Prep School parent
"As ****** reaches the end of the Middle School and progresses to his final two years one cannot help but reflect, Regardless of his academic progress it is *****'s confidence that amazes us. That small quiet boy who found conversing with people so difficult, has grown into someone willing to chat and to 'have a go', Bowbrook and its nurturing environment has played a large part in that. Thank you."
Middle School Parent
"We cannot thank you enough for the care, patience, understanding and guidance you have given our boys over the years. We will always be grateful for what could have been difficult years"
Year 11 parent
"Thank you for putting up with me for all these years. I know I was not easy and I know I was frustrating but you always showed me the right way to go"
Year 11 leaver
"In the 6 1/2 years that she has been with you, she has become more self assured, more at ease with the world and more resilient to the ups and downs that life has thrown at her. This is down to your wonderful school, its nurturing environment and the gentle encouragement and support she received from your wonderful staff. She (and we) will miss you!"
Year 11 leaver's parents
"Mr Allen you are Head of an incredible school. Bowbrook to me feels like one big family and I will cherish my time here. Thank you for giving me my sparkle back!"
Year 11 leaver
We wanted to write and thank you for all you have done for our granddaughter. Your understanding and wise guidance very much helped to restore her...We owe you and your wonderful staff and her fellow pupils such a debt of gratitude for all that you have done to both educate and help her"
Grandparents to a year 11 leaver

From another Parent:

“As parents we make numerous decisions for our children, and one of the most important that we make is the choice of their school. At primary school, ***** was a nice lad, he was typically in the lower quarter of his class, lacked confidence, and was destined to get lost in a large anonymous middle school.

We have to say, and we have shared this on numerous occasions with friends, family and parents, that the best ever decision we have made for our son, was to send him to Bowbrook.

He has matured into an intelligent considerate, and confident young man that we are extremely proud of. We could not have asked for more – except not breaking his leg at the start of term!

Please pass on our thanks to the teachers and the team that have helped make this possible. On numerous occasions his teachers have gone well beyond their normal ‘call of duty’. We cannot express our appreciation enough. We have all shed a tear as he moves on.

Mr Allen, thank you for a job well done

And Finally:

“Bowbrook has a unique talent for identifying and developing the aptitude and potential of each student, of encouraging them and giving them the opportunity to make the most of their interests and abilities. Bowbrook is old-fashioned but not outdated. It is disciplined, but not severe. It is small and personal, but with far reaching vision. Upon his arrival at Bowbrook, his happy demeanour and enthusiasm for education quickly returned, and ever since the school has nurtured and inspired him socially and intellectually.

The opportunities offered and encouraged at Bowbrook are beyond those of a school 10 times its size.

All that remains is a huge thank you and anticipation of a great year ahead.”

From Another Parent

“Thank you so much all the help, support and advice you give to us since our son started at Bowbrook. He's had a wonderful five years where he's been lucky to have had some amazing teachers who have brought out the very best in him and given him the confidence to believe in himself…

We too have also enjoyed his time at Bowbrook. Carol Concerts, Christmas Fairs, Summer Fete, Summer Balls and even Parents Evenings! We always felt like we belonged. We too will miss it!

I could go on and on - so many good things to say. We are very, very grateful for everything Mr Allen, we couldn't have wished for a better than you and all your wonderful staff - a huge thank you.”

A visitor wrote:

“My wife and I are writing to congratulate you and your staff on having such a wonderful school.

We were recently invited to attend the ‘X-factor’ and what a heart-warming experience we had. Both of us were very impressed by the manners and behaviour of your pupils who not only supported their own peer group but also encouraged the younger pupils who were participating in the event. The ‘Old Spice’ pop group were great fun and much enjoyed by all the children and staff.

We look forward to attending further events at Bowbrook House School as it is a pleasure to see a school which has such high regard for its pupils and see the children so happy in a wonderful setting.”

And Finally:

“The quality of links with parents is excellent. The school maintains a highly constructive and close relationship with parents”
“The support of parents also makes a significant contribution to the caring, family atmosphere of the school, which their children are happy to attend.”
“Pupils praise the care and encouragement given to them by their teachers, while parents highly appreciate the promotion of worthwhile attitudes and values.”
“The response of pupils and parents to their pre-inspection questionnaires was overwhelmingly positive.”
“The quality of pastoral care and the “family atmosphere” of the school are considerable strengths that were echoed by parents in their questionnaire replies.”