See all schools in Stowmarket IP14
Stowmarket High School
Secondary · Academy · Stowmarket
"I wish I knew about this website when I was about to choose School"
Lisa, parent
"Finally, one can access the opinions of other students completely transparently."
Fredrik, student
Get access to exclusive content, available only on SchoolParrot!
1 month
£2.99
First month. Then £4.99 / month
1 year
£19
Best valueFirst year. Then £39 / year.
For Schools and school staff
Do you work as a principal or school staff? Take control of your SchoolParrot profile. Click here
i'm not sure how to title this
bonjour ja this school is not very plesent the suport is good but i realy hated my time there ja there is good techers but the place isent very plesent nor some of the staf
this is a school, not a prison
Stowmarket high school sucks so bad. You can't even go to the toilet at break and lunch because they're all locked, blocked, or covered in poo. You also can't go to the toilet on any floor other than the ground floor, and so you can literally be waiting the entire break just to go piss and then you end up being late for your lesson.
the new rules also stink almost as bad as the toilets, like why do SLT stand at the entrance and stop you just before you can get inside to make you take off your coat??? it's a bloody coat, not illegal contraband - it's not that deep. And then the fact that we have to be escorted up and down the stairs by the teacher if we want to have a revision session, and if you're late, you just have to miss it.
So much for our education being the most important thing, right?
Also the food is gross. They make too much food then put it back out for the rest of the week, so you're paying the same price for disgusting food as you are at its best. the chip portions are tiny, the pizza is nasty, and everything is so dry
the new rules also stink almost as bad as the toilets, like why do SLT stand at the entrance and stop you just before you can get inside to make you take off your coat??? it's a bloody coat, not illegal contraband - it's not that deep. And then the fact that we have to be escorted up and down the stairs by the teacher if we want to have a revision session, and if you're late, you just have to miss it.
So much for our education being the most important thing, right?
Also the food is gross. They make too much food then put it back out for the rest of the week, so you're paying the same price for disgusting food as you are at its best. the chip portions are tiny, the pizza is nasty, and everything is so dry
GSCE
Not a nice school to be honest and here’s why
I didn’t enjoy this high school at all, countless times I asked for support, and I never received it. I asked for a anger management help, and never got it, and help with extra maths tutoring, and never got it. I had to go to external sources to get the help I really needed.
I was bullied to hell and back, and the teachers did nothing to stop this, it happened in class and at break time, and nothing was changed. No student got punished for hurting others but when you try to defend yourself against the physical bullying, you get put into supervised inclusion, and the student responsible for making you try and defend yourself doesn’t even get a warning or any kind of repercussion.
In my last year, blazers were new uniform, students are forced to wear them at all times, weather it’s hot or not.
Some teachers are a bit creepy. One teacher, who I will not mention the name of, used to put her hand on the top of your back and run it all the way down to the small of your back, and when you pulled her up on this and you say to her that you did not give her permission to touch you, she says “well, I’m a teacher, I can do what I want” and unfortunately she still works there.
I used to put my hand up for help. And the answer would always be “I’ll be round to you in a minute” and most teachers would help everyone else, and then go back to delivering a lesson, so most times I would come out not understanding what was just spoken about in lesson.
In the new building, there are no entry doors to the toilets, only stalls and a wash sink. The graphic to show you which toilet is for which gender, it’s white on pale yellow, so you can’t see it very well. Or I couldn’t at least.
They always said to my carer that I was doing fabulously in class, but I really wasn’t. I tried my very best to listen, and I struggled to understand most of it and got no extra help.
When fidget toys where a thing, I asked if I could have a fidget toy pass, because it would help me, they said no, your not allowed. I’ve later been diagnosed with ADHD and ADD, so I struggle to concentrate anyway, but since college, I’m allowed a fidget toy, and it helps me focus so I’m actually passing my classes. Instead of getting distracted by everyone and everything.
Food is another problem at this school, it’s not very nice to begin with, it’s dry and bland, which you’d expect, but it’s also quite expensive for what it is.
I was bullied to hell and back, and the teachers did nothing to stop this, it happened in class and at break time, and nothing was changed. No student got punished for hurting others but when you try to defend yourself against the physical bullying, you get put into supervised inclusion, and the student responsible for making you try and defend yourself doesn’t even get a warning or any kind of repercussion.
In my last year, blazers were new uniform, students are forced to wear them at all times, weather it’s hot or not.
Some teachers are a bit creepy. One teacher, who I will not mention the name of, used to put her hand on the top of your back and run it all the way down to the small of your back, and when you pulled her up on this and you say to her that you did not give her permission to touch you, she says “well, I’m a teacher, I can do what I want” and unfortunately she still works there.
I used to put my hand up for help. And the answer would always be “I’ll be round to you in a minute” and most teachers would help everyone else, and then go back to delivering a lesson, so most times I would come out not understanding what was just spoken about in lesson.
In the new building, there are no entry doors to the toilets, only stalls and a wash sink. The graphic to show you which toilet is for which gender, it’s white on pale yellow, so you can’t see it very well. Or I couldn’t at least.
They always said to my carer that I was doing fabulously in class, but I really wasn’t. I tried my very best to listen, and I struggled to understand most of it and got no extra help.
When fidget toys where a thing, I asked if I could have a fidget toy pass, because it would help me, they said no, your not allowed. I’ve later been diagnosed with ADHD and ADD, so I struggle to concentrate anyway, but since college, I’m allowed a fidget toy, and it helps me focus so I’m actually passing my classes. Instead of getting distracted by everyone and everything.
Food is another problem at this school, it’s not very nice to begin with, it’s dry and bland, which you’d expect, but it’s also quite expensive for what it is.
Great
This school has not failed to help and support me with my mental health and any help that I would need with lessons. I feel so welcomed and safe at this school. Their inclusivity is overwhelmingly great, they support and try to understand everybody no matter how they identify or what they look like
Recommended School
I joined this school quite recently and I already feel extremely welcomed and safe here. The support that staff provide is amazing, if you struggle with anything in lesson or out of lesson they’re ready and willing to help at all times. Being at this school has provided the support that I never thought a school would give. I 100% recommend Stowmarket as a school for your child. They are all inclusive and respect everyone no matter who they are.
Not inclusive or supportive school
Not inclusive or supportive school
I attended this school from year 8-year 13. I found this school to be disorganised, unsupportive and not inclusive either. I had some brilliant teachers at GCSE, however they have all left now. I will list a few alarming examples of how this school failed to be inclusive and supportive.
1) when I expressed desire to study medicine, I was met with people telling me I couldn’t do it. The careers advisor told me that I shouldn’t bother and that I will probably drop out. I asked the school for resources to help me with the UCAT, and I was met with the careers advisor telling me that I had to figure it out myself. I submitted my application for Medicine in October. The following year in January time, my biology teacher told me I would not be able to achieve the grades so should figure out another career. This distressed me because I was already working hard, and I didn’t understand why she couldn’t inform me of that before I submitted my application. FYI- I got 2 offers for medicine and went on to study at my top choice university. I would also like to add- the careers advisor was useless.
2) in year 13, I wanted to organise a bake sale for Charity. The money raised was going to provide medical care and other necessities for children who had been bombed or attacked by Israeli forces in Palestine. The school refused to allow me to hold this bake sale as certain teachers on the senior leadership team felt uncomfortable as this didn’t align with their political views. How horrible of a person must you be, to refuse a charitable act for suffering children? I even had hundred of students sign a petition in favour of the bake sale. And yet, SLT shot down this bake sale due to their unempathetic mindset. They could not see past their own selfish views to see what a wonderful example this was of worldly education and students coming together for a common cause. Furthermore, I find it interesting that stow high has released information on supporting children through the Ukraine crisis. Where was our support when people were being bombed and hurt in Palestine and many other countries? It is clear to see this school is only willing to support and empathise with white victims. This further reinforces the non diverse, non inclusive environment of the school.
3) Suffolk is not a very diverse area, which is not the school’s fault of course. I was already aware of my ‘abnormality’, being one of the only brown students, and being subject to racist comments by peers. But this effect was worsened by teachers who refused to learn how to pronounce my name after years of them teaching me. Additionally, we had barely any education or charitable events on racism and movements such as BLM. The school did not make an effort to teach children about diversity and the issues of racism.
There are a few good teachers, I’m not sure if they are still at the school as all my best teachers have left. However, the school overall is not the best if you wish to send your child to a diverse, inclusive, supportive school.
I attended this school from year 8-year 13. I found this school to be disorganised, unsupportive and not inclusive either. I had some brilliant teachers at GCSE, however they have all left now. I will list a few alarming examples of how this school failed to be inclusive and supportive.
1) when I expressed desire to study medicine, I was met with people telling me I couldn’t do it. The careers advisor told me that I shouldn’t bother and that I will probably drop out. I asked the school for resources to help me with the UCAT, and I was met with the careers advisor telling me that I had to figure it out myself. I submitted my application for Medicine in October. The following year in January time, my biology teacher told me I would not be able to achieve the grades so should figure out another career. This distressed me because I was already working hard, and I didn’t understand why she couldn’t inform me of that before I submitted my application. FYI- I got 2 offers for medicine and went on to study at my top choice university. I would also like to add- the careers advisor was useless.
2) in year 13, I wanted to organise a bake sale for Charity. The money raised was going to provide medical care and other necessities for children who had been bombed or attacked by Israeli forces in Palestine. The school refused to allow me to hold this bake sale as certain teachers on the senior leadership team felt uncomfortable as this didn’t align with their political views. How horrible of a person must you be, to refuse a charitable act for suffering children? I even had hundred of students sign a petition in favour of the bake sale. And yet, SLT shot down this bake sale due to their unempathetic mindset. They could not see past their own selfish views to see what a wonderful example this was of worldly education and students coming together for a common cause. Furthermore, I find it interesting that stow high has released information on supporting children through the Ukraine crisis. Where was our support when people were being bombed and hurt in Palestine and many other countries? It is clear to see this school is only willing to support and empathise with white victims. This further reinforces the non diverse, non inclusive environment of the school.
3) Suffolk is not a very diverse area, which is not the school’s fault of course. I was already aware of my ‘abnormality’, being one of the only brown students, and being subject to racist comments by peers. But this effect was worsened by teachers who refused to learn how to pronounce my name after years of them teaching me. Additionally, we had barely any education or charitable events on racism and movements such as BLM. The school did not make an effort to teach children about diversity and the issues of racism.
There are a few good teachers, I’m not sure if they are still at the school as all my best teachers have left. However, the school overall is not the best if you wish to send your child to a diverse, inclusive, supportive school.
mental health
this school is chaos they dont support us in mental health what so ever although they have a safeguarding operation alot of people who have been safeguarded say that they made the situation 10x worse than it was before.
A terrible school
This school has caused so many issues for me, my friends, my year group, and lower year groups too.
Tons of teachers leave to find jobs elsewhere which impacted our learning, no mental health support whatsoever, they cancelled the sixth form for my year but never posted anything about it, so parents didn't know and had to struggle finding colleges as it was super last minute. Only offered learning help to people who where struggling in the main subjects a month or two before actual exams (altho part of that is covids fault but it was still super late)
Even after we leave the school, they haven't sent us our GCSE certificates, and deleted our online school account so we have no way to prove to colleges and sixth forms of our grades.
I took art and I want to have my art book and final pieces back, and me and tons of others have emailed various teachers in the school about it but no response.
There are plenty of other things but I dont want to list them all because I would be here all day.
Overall I wouldn't recommend this school at all
Tons of teachers leave to find jobs elsewhere which impacted our learning, no mental health support whatsoever, they cancelled the sixth form for my year but never posted anything about it, so parents didn't know and had to struggle finding colleges as it was super last minute. Only offered learning help to people who where struggling in the main subjects a month or two before actual exams (altho part of that is covids fault but it was still super late)
Even after we leave the school, they haven't sent us our GCSE certificates, and deleted our online school account so we have no way to prove to colleges and sixth forms of our grades.
I took art and I want to have my art book and final pieces back, and me and tons of others have emailed various teachers in the school about it but no response.
There are plenty of other things but I dont want to list them all because I would be here all day.
Overall I wouldn't recommend this school at all
About SchoolParrot
- SchoolParrot is a review site for schools. We are a company that believes in more transparency within schools. Our platform is open to all users.
Read about SchoolParrot and our company - Reviews are published in real-time without moderation and we want to encourage our users to provide constructive feedback and keep a serious tone. The responsibility lies with the user.
Read our review guidelines