Poole/Bournemouth prep schools

[KR2013]

Hi there, hoping some people can help!

We're looking to move down to Poole or Bournemouth at the end of this school year. We'd ideally like to buy in the Lower Parkstone area but are also looking at Southbourne and Queens Park.

We have twin daughters who are in Year 3 currently, and having spoken to the council, the chances of getting them into a good state primary school are basically zero, so we're looking at private schools for primary and then they'll hopefully get into grammar for secondary.

So far, we've spoken to Yarrells, which we loved, and St Martin's, which we liked but are worried it might be too small (they'd be joining a class that's currently only 11 children, which feels a bit sink or swim for friendships!). We're also talking to Talbot Heath, but I know they encourage the girls to stay on into secondary education and we can't afford to do that.

I would love for them to go to Yarrells, but there seems to be much less housing going in Lower Parkstone at the moment which is right for us, and I'm assuming travelling from Southbourne to Yarrells would be totally horrific?

Does anyone have any feedback on the schools mentioned above or any other suggestions? For reference, we can't afford the more expensive private schools - Yarrells and Talbot Heath are the most we can consider spending.

Thanks in advance!

[TessyT89]

Talbot heath have a very good rep but when looking for my boys we decided against yarrells because of the travel. They are both at bcs prep in parkstone which i couldn't recommend enough. The fees are more reasonable than most of the independents in the bcp area and they have a senior school in southbourne - my eldest gets the school bus from prep to senior after his clubs which has made life soooo much easier for us. Their sports and co-curricular is amazing, and the area is just so lovely for them to attend school; I just wish we could afford house prices there!!!