Carter Community School, Dorset

[Smerch]

Hi, asking this on behalf of SIL. I know it's a long shot but she, BIL, DNiece (13) and DNephew (10) are moving to Dorset in the next few months and this will be their local state school (almost literally next door if their house sale goes through). None of us know or have any friends in the area. Does anybody know anything about this school? I understand it's quite a small school (about 400 pupils) and SIL is worried this will mean a limited selection of potential friends. The Ofsted is also only 'good' which is another concern for her, both at outstanding state schools currently, really bright, musical, studious types. According to the prospectus it's a 12-16 school so what happens to 11 year olds from primary? It seems the head and deputy are relatively new, not sure if that's good or not. They could just about afford private if necessary although they're not keen on principle. Obviously all this depends on availability of places.

Would really appreciate any thoughts/experiences on this school or any of the privates or other secondaries in that area.

Thanks :)

[snackpot]

There are some very good schools in Dorset, Carter is not one of them. A number of schools in Dorset have had outstanding inspections and are known to be very good. I would avoid Carter, Purbeck and Blandford. I don't know about Poole High. There are grammars as well.

[Smerch]

Thanks Snackpot. That's really useful, sounds as though her feelings were right. Anybody else have any views? Or have a child at any of these schools? Thanks again.

[colapips]

Primary schools in Poole go up to age 12.

Neighbouring areas (Corfe Mullen) primary goes up to y8 (Bournemouth) goes up to y6.

There are two very good grammars. Parkstone (girls) Poole (boys).

Corfe Hills is very good

QE is very good

Private schools - Talbot Heath (girls only) up to 18

Canford (co-educational) 13-18

Bournemouth Collegiate (co-educational) up to 18 newly formed school

I will ignore Carter

[Tam30]

Carter is a Good school, It was graded good by ofsted and therefore one category higher than Poole High. I would recommend for your Sister in Law to visit Carter before she makes up her mind.

I have children who are currently at Carter and they love going to school everyday. It always amazes me how people are often too quick to judge schools and in particular Carter without going to have a look first hand.

It is true Carter is a small school which is one of the benefits for the students who attend, as the students at Carter are not a number, all the staff there know each child individually and their names. To me as a parent that is paramount.

The extra curricular opportunites are great, my daughter is off to China in November and she also went to France in the summer for a 5 day activities break and said "it was the best time of my life so far"

I have met the new Head and Deputy and they seem to be doing a great job with driving Carter forward.

I have visited Poole High with my children and I did not like the feel of the place and my daughter felt it was too big.

I suggest your Sister in Law gives Carter a visit.

[Tam30]

Carter is a Good school, It was graded good by ofsted and therefore one category higher than Poole High. I would recommend for your Sister in Law to visit Carter before she makes up her mind.

I have children who are currently at Carter and they love going to school everyday. It always amazes me how people are often too quick to judge schools and in particular Carter without going to have a look first hand.

It is true Carter is a small school which is one of the benefits for the students who attend, as the students at Carter are not a number, all the staff there know each child individually and their names. To me as a parent that is paramount.

The extra curricular opportunites are great, my daughter is off to China in November and she also went to France in the summer for a 5 day activities break and said "it was the best time of my life so far"

I have met the new Head and Deputy and they seem to be doing a great job with driving Carter forward.

I have visited Poole High with my children and I did not like the feel of the place and my daughter felt it was too big.

I suggest your Sister in Law gives Carter a visit.

[Loralai]

I would say that Poole is very polarised and that it is deemed to be the case that the side of Poole nearer to Lower Parkstone, Lilliput and sandbanks has better schools - driven mainly by catchment. A lot of snobbery from local people about the Hamworthy/Turlin Moor end of town. Crazy but true! There are some great schools appparently. Because of this - parents from these areas who 'care' about their children's educational progress would favour Poole High (big and not comprehensive as local top end children are at the grammar schools. Altohough there is an Academic stream if this concerns you)or Lytchett Minster(more comprehensive and lovely - we tried but forget it if you're out of area, as we are). Having just been through the whole bonkers process with my 12 year old (who didn't make the Grammar School- bla bla) I would agree that you need to SEE and judge what will suit the individual child. It may be that Carter would suit but then it may be that your expectations are different from those of 'tam30's' . We opted to put our daughter into Broadstone Middle (yr8) for 1 year. She has entered the 'pyramid system' and will go to Corfe Hills for years 9-13. (See OFSTED outstanding but visit and speak to the head. More comprehensive than POole High because people use it instead of grammar). We are teachers and have loads of experience in different systems - so i would be cautious when reading OFSTED's as your only judgement. Think 'Outstanding'on an inspection day - probably means good/very good on an average day. Apply this to all reports and you'll end up with same results anyway.

I would try Lytchett Minster if you're moving to Upton or children in Upton Juniors.

[Smerch]

Thanks for all your views/suggestions. I've passed them on and SIL is going to visit the area in a couple of weeks and will see as many schools as possible.

Any further thoughts?

[Swampy123]

Carter was put in special measures a few years ago. I think that since then the special measures have been removed But I wouldn't send any child who is academically minded there.

[CarterHeadTeach]

Dear All,

My name is Robert Davies and I am the Headteacher at Carter Community School. If you would like to make contact with me through the school (01202 676789) I would be delighted to arrange for some of our amazing students to show you around our school, before talking to you about the progress all students make here.

There is a strange myth that academic students do not do well here. Every year we have a crop of students that achieve 12, 13 and more good passes at GCSE. My staff are superb at getting the very best out of each student as an individual; it is one of the real benefits of being such a small school that every student is a known individual and they are not an anonymous one of a few hundred in a year group.

I would love to share with you our student and parent survey replies that reinforce how pleased both are that they have chosen Carter.

Last year our results were not good enough, but the whole team has put in an herculean effort to address this and our tracking suggest a significant for this year.

We are not a comprehensive and we may not be every parent's choice. But I would be delighted to talk to you about our strengths and weaknesses and have you see for yourself.

Best Wishes,

Rob Davies