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Cothill Schools Trust / Ashdown House

6 replies

MissoniMad · 05/07/2016 13:25

I'm interested in Ashdown House School (Sussex) which is part of the Cothill Schools Trust.

I have heard that the Cothill trust is not very financially stable with no profit for about 5 years according to accounts. There are rumours that pupil numbers at all of its schools are low. A couple of years ago they bought a school in Brighton and immediately closed it and sold it for profit. Does anyone have any further insight on the Cothill trust's financial situation?

I'm aware Ashdown house has a chequered history wrt historic child abuse allegations, but is it currently highly regarded academically / considered on a par with Cothill School? Is it seen as going uphill or downhill at the moment? Any info would be really helpful.

Thanks!

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MissoniMad · 11/07/2016 12:31

Bumping

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bluegreysparkle · 20/07/2016 22:20

Hi MissoniMad

I have a DS at Ashdown House. It's a lovely, friendly school. We couldn't be happier.

IMO, The Cothill Trust provides security and stability in this economic climate. The schools under its umbrella are all successful and I've heard only good things about the new Principle. Sadly, it seems to be very hard to go it alone as a privately owned school these days. Plenty have closed in Kent and Sussex. We don't have that worry.

My DSs year group has grown a lot in the last couple of years. The new pre-prep is thriving and the school continues to do very well in preparing the children for Common Entrance. Sport, music, drama and other extra curricular all excellent too.

Good luck with your decision making! If you look around a few schools you'll get a feel for what's right.