Moving overseas, can anyone help us with this school choice?

3 replies

2019muma · 29/08/2026 21:33

We are moving back to the uk, to a town near Derby/Staffordshire boarder.

DH is from England but we’ve been away a long time. We are looking at schools for dd and ds (one primary one secondary).

I expect it’s unlikely but if anyone here knows anything about schools close to doveridge and Ashbourne and Staffordshire we’d be grateful!

We are open to state or private. The private one we have had recommended is this one: https://www.denstonecollege.org and we are due to visit in October. If anyone has heard of this place we’d also love any insights as we feel we are taking a leap with whatever we decide! TIA.

Home | Denstone College | Staffordshire

An educational experience with something for everyone and accessible by all. Embrace Denstone.

https://www.denstonecollege.org

OP posts:

Sisublondie · 30/08/2026 01:48

2019muma · 29/08/2026 21:33

We are moving back to the uk, to a town near Derby/Staffordshire boarder.

DH is from England but we’ve been away a long time. We are looking at schools for dd and ds (one primary one secondary).

I expect it’s unlikely but if anyone here knows anything about schools close to doveridge and Ashbourne and Staffordshire we’d be grateful!

Hi, I do! I live here. Lovely area. Moved up from London, both DS went to school here. Happy to help, if I can.

SwadlincoteMama · 30/08/2026 05:17

Denstone College is a really lovely school. I used to go horse riding on the grounds and know many people who attended. For state schools though Ryecroft (Rocester)/Oldfields (Uttoxeter) Middle schools (Year 5-8) and Thomas Alleyne’s (from Year 9) in Uttoxeter are also excellent and there are buses. If we were 10 miles closer our kids would go there. QEGS in Ashbourne also a good school. IMO Thomas Alleyne’s is so good there’s no real need to go private.

Londonnight · 30/08/2026 07:02

My son went to Ryecroft in Rocester and loved it. This was many years ago when Ryecroft was on the opposite site. This area is part of the middle school system, so ages 4-9 go to lower school. 9- 13 they go to middle school, then onto high school.
There is Thomas Alleynes in Uttoxeter or there is JCB Academy in Rocester, this is more engineer based.
QEGS in Ashbourne. This isn't part of the middle school system, so would go from primary to high school at 11.

Denstone is good, but I don't know much about it as my son didn't go there.

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