If you know schools in Cheltenham and Gloucester

[Ozgirl75]

And you were choosing a school for two boys - one more academic, likes things like debating, writing, music etc, and one still academically fine but more sporty, good all rounder, which private school would you send them to?
Looking at private because we are thinking of coming back from Australia and so need some flexibility with tutoring in things they might have missed, and also on start dates.
Thank you in advance!

Dean Close is sporty and academic, but heavy on religion so might not be your thing.

Balcarras is a state school but very good and very sporty, if you can find somewhere to live in the catchment it’s a gorgeous area.

Pates is the grammar school and highly sought after but the only access route is through the 11+ exams

Cheltenham College is another good school academically, sport is very much focused on cricket and rugby for the boys.

There’s at least one more, St Edwards I think but I don’t know it very well.

You’re spoilt for choice in Cheltenham!

Sadly I don’t think we’ll be back in time for the 11+ as he’s already 10, and also we haven’t tutored or anything so I don’t think he would be ready anyway.
When you say “heavy on religion”, just how heavy are we talking? They go to an Anglican school now where they have chapel and re classes and there is a Christian ethos but that’s about the height of it.

They both do cricket although one is about to drop it as his sport is tennis. Other one is football, tennis, athletics. I’ve steered him away from rugby at the moment but only because I’m nervous about concussions and things.

Any thoughts on Kings school?

It’s Anglican, not catholic. I’ve been into the school and not noticed anything in my face but the literature promotes the importance of religion in school life and Christian values. I’m not religious and it wouldn’t put me off the school because it’s a fantastic school, but I know some people don’t want their kids exposed to religion in education.

Ah ok, yes I don’t mind that really, so long as it isn’t catholic as we aren’t. I went to a C of E school and it was pretty low key.
Thanks so much for your info. Anything else you can tell me about the area in general? I am from the U.K. but not the area but we are looking there as we can now work anywhere so we don’t want to move to the south east if we’re not commuting and I love the houses and towns in that area, but i don’t know it well.

Kings in Gloucester? I don’t know it well, it’s right in the middle of the city centre by the cathedral. Would be a nightmare to drive them to if you’re living in Cheltenham, but they might have a school bus - I’m not sure!

The kids from there always look very well behaved and disciplined when you see them walk across the cathedral grounds to various school buildings, that’s the depth of my knowledge with that one

we haven’t planned a place to live yet, we’re looking all around there because we want to have a fairly rural property. Is there a general consensus over which is a nicer town, Cheltenham or Gloucester.

Cheltenham is a fantastic town (usually, covid has hit it and businesses have closed etc) lots of culture. Beautiful area of the country. If I had unlimited budget I would probably base myself somewhere on the outskirts like Charlton Kings or Leckhampton. Or maybe one of the Cotswolds villages or towns like Stow in the Wold.

It’s a good location for bigger cities, Bristol and Birmingham are about equal distance (40 miles) and London and Cardiff are within 2.5hrs drive and regular fast train services to all the above mentioned.

I personally wouldn’t live in Gloucester, it’s got increasing probably with drugs and knife crime and the city just isn’t a very nice place to visit. There must be some nicer areas of Gloucester, but I haven’t really found them in the 12 years I’ve been in the area! Highnam is an area just outside of Gloucester which is fairly nice.

Rendcomb College is nearby too, I’ve heard good things about it recently. Several friends with children there seem to love it.

Thank you - you’ve basically summed up why we’ve been looking at that area so it’s nice to have it “confirmed”. We need good access to the rest of the U.K., but want countryside. I want a nice town with interesting things going on, and also access to bigger cities for things like concerts etc as the kids get bigger.

Cool, so closer to Cheltenham seems to be better then. Good to know.

There are lots of smaller places to live - Cirencester, stone etc. And countless beautiful small villages. Gloucester is not really comparable to Cheltenham - deprived ex dock city vs middle class spa town!

Winchcombe is also nice, close to Cheltenham and a town but it feels like a village. Also it has a castle, I love a castle!

Yes Cirencester is beautiful too!

@Sittinbythesea that’s so interesting because they’re so close, I assumed they were quite similar!

There’s one house we’ve seen near Tewkesbury that ticks the boxes but we’re only at research stages right now, which is a shame.

Be careful of Tewkesbury, when it floods it really really floods! Make sure you check the location and risk for flooding.

I know a few who go to Kings it seems like a great school with very good pastoral care. I know of 2 DC who have been to Dean Close and then left - not sure why!

Rendcombe is in a lovely rural setting between Cheltenham and Cirencester and is lovely but quite small.

Beaudesert in Minchinhampton is the sportiest I know. Minch is lovely itself or you can travel there from a number of Cotswold villages or Tetbury which is a nice market town

Could you rent to get a feel for the area? Do you particularly want both boys to go to the same school?

Good to know re flooding!

I do want them to go to the same school really, they’re such good friends and I think as we’re probably going to be uprooting them and moving them round the world, they should go together.

We would consider renting but it seems such a faff to pack, unpack, pack again. Pure laziness really and wanting to settle down somewhere.

I can't help with schools, but feel that I need to stand up for Gloucester! The town centre isn't great, but the quays development is good. There are nice areas to live in Gloucester, but rural they are not! Upton St Leonard's seems to have a semi rural feel about it. Churchdown is very popular, it's half way between Cheltenham & Gloucester. Painswick is a lovely village not far from Glos.

Our ds was at Dean Close until end of year 6 then we moved him to St Edwards. Dean Close is better for the outgoing sporty kids, it's very competitive and quieter kids can go under the radar.
St Ed's is a smaller more nurturing environment and has the advantage (well in my opinion) of being a day school - no Saturday school!

We liked the look of Kings but traffic in the morning would be a nightmare.

My son is at Cheltenham College it’s fantastic. It depends on what you are looking for as it has a very different feel to the other schools mentioned - he went there from Beaudesert Prep. Do you want them to board ? Cheltenham Coll and Beaudesert offer flexi as well please pm me if you want any other information. Dependant on your house budget and whether they board would determine where you live as getting into Cheltenham for registration is a killer I do it occasionally on a Monday morning and it’s not fun