Small / nurturing independent schools in Shropshire?

[Redwineandcrisps]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend me some schools to look at for my 9year old son who will be going into year 5 in September.

He’s been at his small mixed pre-prep since nursery and has thrived there, but for work reasons we may need to move to Shropshire over the summer and I have zero idea where to start looking for a school for him.

He’s very academic and was recently accepted to a very selective grammar school, but I turned down the place as he is so happy where he is. He’s very much a sports all rounder but doesn’t excel at anything. He was bullied a bit last year and it knocked his confidence, so I would like somewhere that still has that nurturing environment and good pastoral care.

Help?! Thank you so much

A little bump, any advice?!

Small nurturing state school advice would also be welcome!

Look at Moor Park near Ludlow

Thank you! Moor Park looks very similar to his current school so a good shout :)

Prestfelde has small class sizes and Castle House has a reputation for being particularly nurturing. I’ve heard good things about Packwood Haugh too.

Does any one know anything about Oswestry School?

Fwiw, I think at 9, going into Year 5, you need to choose a school with an eye to the next stage, not so much with an eye on what has worked well so far.

So identify your desired secondary destination. Is the main intake at 11 or 13 (for a non-confident child, entering earlier rather than having to break in later may well be easier)? Which are its main feeder schools (always easier joining a new school with friends)? Then identify which of that list looks like it would meet your child's needs best for the coming couple of years.

Obviously if the only intake into the desired final school is at 13, you have 4 years to think about and that may guide your choice - how many are left in the 11-13 stage of the prep school, for example - but you will only know this if you have worked back from the final secondary.

Bellan is the Prep for Oswestry School, they switch to Oswestry School in Year 7. Joining Bellan at Year 5 would be a good time as there will likely be other new starters joining then and in Year 6 in preparation for moving up to Oswestry School. Bellan have a very good transition to Oswestry School as in Years 5 & 6 they spend most afternoons having their lessons up there and they use the Sports Hall, Pool and Playing Fields there too. When the time comes to move in Year 7 it makes it much easier for them as the school and staff are familiar. I found Bellan very nurturing for my son and found the Head and staff good at finding where my child's talents lay and encouraging them. Oswestry School preformed well with Online learning from the first lockdown. Class sizes are small and my son has been happy there.

big county, Shropshire... wherever you plan to live, check for flooding. And also roadbuilding -there's a huge campaign against the Shrewsbury North West relief road but even after the election there are still enough corrupt councillors to push it through. In the Oswestry area, the A483 bypass is under the radar but work is starting without consent. Don't buy between Oswestry and Welshpool on the English side without very careful research.

It would be really helpful to hear from current or recent parents with DC at Packwood School.

Are you happy and are children happy? What makes it special? Do you like the way it works with Shrewsbury School? Do you feel the impact of the new Headmaster?

We are thinking of alternatives to the prep schools (and, subsequently, senior schools) in SE England.