At Stowe School, sport plays a central role in both its identity and its appeal, with high-quality playing surfaces supported by a fleet of ISEKI machinery helping to underpin that reputation.
Across a growing estate of pitches, training areas and specialist facilities, the focus is on delivering consistent, high-performance surfaces that reflect the standards of the modern game.
That environment has helped establish clear pathways for talented students to progress, with the school producing athletes across multiple disciplines and maintaining strong links with Northampton Saints. Former pupils continue to move into elite sport, reinforcing the importance of both opportunity and the conditions in which that talent is developed.
For Grounds Manager Steve Curley, the connection between sport and surface quality is fundamental.
“It’s a big part of what makes Stowe attractive,” he explains. “We have a lot of scholars who come here because of their sporting ability.”
That sporting reputation is reflected in a growing list of alumni. Cricketer Ben Duckett is among those to have progressed through the school, alongside county players including Graham White, Rob White, Mark Nelson and Jason de la Peña.
More recently, former pupil James Rudkin secured Olympic gold in the men’s eight rowing at the Paris 2024 Games, further highlighting the level of performance associated with the school.
Strong links with Northampton Saints have also created a clear pathway in rugby, with players progressing into the club’s academy and beyond.
Among them is Archie McParland, who credits his early experiences at Stowe as an important part of his development.
“I’ve been very fortunate to play from a young age at Stowe on the grounds there, which are well looked after,” he says.
“The work that goes into the pitches has helped me focus on my game and strive for bigger things.”
Maintaining consistency across the site
As the school has expanded, maintaining that standard across an increasing number of facilities has become a greater challenge.
Growth in pupil numbers and sporting provision has placed more demand on the surfaces, making consistency a key objective for the grounds team.
“The consistency is what we’re all trying to aim for,” says Steve. “We’re trying to give them the best possible surfaces that you can play on, so it gives them a bit of an advantage when they go and play elsewhere.”
That responsibility extends beyond traditional pitches.
Even the rowing lake requires regular intervention, with specialist work carried out to remove weed and maintain clear water, ensuring rowers can train and compete without restriction.
To support this level of work, Stowe relies on a fleet of ISEKI machinery supplied by RT Machinery, which provides the versatility needed to efficiently manage a wide range of tasks.
“We use a multitude of ISEKI machinery,” Steve explains. “They’re reliable, they work well and give us the flexibility to carry out a range of tasks across the school.”
Machinery supporting performance
For Assistant Grounds Manager Kevin Beasley, that flexibility is essential as workloads continue to increase.
“The site’s changed quite a lot,” he says. “There’s a lot more children, a lot more sporting areas, so there’s a lot more work.”
“We currently operate five ISEKI machines, including four tractors and an SXG 326 ride-on mower, each playing a specific role in maintaining standards across the school.”
“Our SXG operates in multiple areas. In the autumn, it’s ideal for collecting leaves and debris, while in the summer, it’s used across the school to maintain utility areas. One of the big advantages is the high tip, and it performs very well in both wet and dry conditions. It doesn’t drop anything, so we’ve got full confidence in it.”
Alongside the SXG, tractors within the fleet handle heavier maintenance tasks.
“We also use the TG 6490 tractor, equipped with an IQ gearbox, for tasks such as verti-draining and rough mowing. It makes life much easier when controlling speed, especially when pulling equipment, as adjustments can be made smoothly without relying on a clutch.”
Smaller tractors within the fleet are used for spraying and operating PTO-driven equipment, offering a balance of power and minimal surface impact.
“They’re lightweight but capable,” he adds. “We can run a 300-litre sprayer without leaving marks, which is really important for us.”
Across the school, that combination of skilled management, high standards and reliable machinery ensures that every surface plays its part in supporting the school’s sporting ambitions.
“We’ve got a big confidence in the ISEKI range, and we’ve been using it for four years now,” Kevin says. “It’s good machinery, and it’s ideal for what we need.”
