Best private schools in Cornwall & Devon?

[agp]

Hi there

My husband and I are considering moving to the north coast of cornwall and need to get to grips with the private schools in the area. Can anyone help? We've got three little girls (6 to 1yrs old) and would ideally like them to go to co-ed schools, with the flexibility to board or day (well I'm hoping they go day whilst at prep school!) It's hard to find out which ones are reckoned to be the best... Thanks in advance for any help/ opinions! :)

Amy

[LittenTree]

propatia- are you xenia?

[vesela]

Xenia has better punctuation!

[Xenia]

I don't know Cornwall schools but the FT A level league tables place Truro school for A level results at position 203 in the country (of state and privates)
rankings.ft.com/secondary-schools/truro-school/secondary-schools-2012#secondary-schools-2012

[LittenTree]

See, you rub the lantern, and out she pops!

[sohia]

rankings.ft.com/secondary-schools/blundells-school

I see that Blundells, the school propatria is always recommending is lower than Truro in the rankings. I wouldnt be taking her advice any time soon if I were you poster. I wonder if she works for them as she is always batting on about all the other schools being so poor.

[propatria]

Oh,how nice ,Sohia has come out to play-please tell us where in the rankings Stover is?
I have said Blundells is the only school in Devon and Cornwall I would look at but I also say look at Sherborne further on ,my children go to another school,-I dont work for any of them,now Iknow it must be hard for you Sohia that the school your children go to has turned out to be as bad as everyone on here told you it would be but you made the choice,
Looking back through this very old thread the only thing that has changed is that Polwhele is no longer a real prep school and anyone wanting a real prep education now has to go out of county,first stop Mount House,but of course by saying that I must work for them musnt I...
Schools like Blundells and Sherborne are in a different class to Truro,just as Truro is far superior to schools like Stover ,hey the local comp is far superior to Stover but as long as there are enough fools who are desperate to claim little tabitha goes private then they will survive(or at least you better hope so Sohia..)

[Xenia]

One issue is if you think boarding damages the psyche of many children (as it does) then moving to an area with no good schools and few opportunities, high unemployment etc is a very selfish decision.

Parent wants to look at cows so sacrifices child on the altar of that indulgence by moving child to area with few life chances. Be careful where you move.

[jabed]

The local comp propatia ( IIRC Sohia said hers was Ivybridge) Isnt that the school that made the nationals the other day on two counts - firstly being raided for a drugs bust and secondly some poor s** of a parent whose inefectual discipline means she is being prosecuted because her DS wont attend school (in the Daily Mail I think it was - I am reading them online at the moment)

I dont know the schools either as I live in the SE not the SW but that doesnt bode well for the local comp being better IMHO

[propatria]

Jabed-sorry dont read the Mail but yes I saw that the school had been" raided" for drugs,sadly for sohia who in the past has talked about sex acts in the park etc at the school none were found,I have read about schools that ask the drugs team to come in to scare the pupils,not that uncommon
Sohia has always struck me as a Mail reader,so doubtless she will be able to confirm the story.
Dont know anything about the parent who has a child that wont attend,last time Sohia came on she made up academic results for her school,claimed they were better than other schools and generalty told porkies( as several posters pointed out),when she did this the results were better at Ivybridge than stover but as her school has now stoped reporting exam results who knows.
Xenia-the world doesnt start and end in North London,that may come as a shock to you.

[jabed]

propatria, I took the liberty of looking the schools up in the ft given by xenia.

It seems Ivybridge has a ranking of 1290 and Stover 594. I know which I would pick if those were my choices.

[jabed]

propatria, further to the above (sitting at the PC whilst having a cup of coffee between tree cutting) what are you basing your judgements and proclamations on?

I used the Ft index to look up the schools in Newton Abbot as that seems to be where Stover is. Those schools are even lower than Ivybridge. So how do the local comps do better?

I even looked up Plymouth College which is the only independent school I know of which would be within reach of Ivybridge from looking at the map. That too is well below Stover.

Of course I do not know the local area but it looks like the school is a nice middle of the road independent school like that many parents would send their DC's

[propatria]

Jabed-have a look at the Telegraph league tables and a thread started by sohia called- wwyd staff seem to be leaving.
I have nothing particular against Stover but the mindset shown by your "Of course I dont know etc.." sentence as long as there are enough idiots to think private means better whatever the school then places like Stover will survive,90% + of the private schools in this country arent worth the fees,people would be better topping up the state system and getting a better pension or buying a house for their dc,but as long as silly little snobs think private automatically means better then they will survive,these schools offer nothing be it academic,sporting or social.

[jabed]

as long as there are enough idiots to think private means better whatever the school then places like Stover will survive

Oh I see so people like me are idiots? But those like xenia who use schools like that I teach in are I suppose much better? They pay for a higher standard somehow? Yet the school where I work is higher in all rankings than Eton but I bet looking through the list you might even think "never heard of them"

However despite having the opportunity I am not sending my own DS to my top ranking school. I might send him there for senior years if I am still in the UK but I have a school earmarked in Canada ( private again) for that. I have chosen a small, nice prep (I think anyway) which is nearer to home and will give my DS what I think he needs. It doesnt do sporting or social and it doesnt steam roller kids into activities. I dont mind paying. I will be getting what I want for my money. I am not a supporterof much of what state school education is about. I will pay just to get away from the NC to be honest.



90% + of the private schools in this country arent worth the fees,people would be better topping up the state system and getting a better pension or buying a house for their dc,but as long as silly little snobs think private automatically means better then they will survive,these schools offer nothing be it academic,sporting or social

I am afraid I cannot agree. I do not think that "topping up" will be cheaper. Neither do I think it can do the job even a middle ranking independent can do.

I do not think that putting my DS's education on the line in some half hearted state comp where it is not "cool" to be able or to show ability is a good idea. I dont think its a good idea to put him in a school which has no work ethos, has drug raids to " frighten" the pupils ( really? I dont buy that), or any one of a million other causes. Diversity, mixing with others, cheap skateness or anything else.

I want my DS educated. I want him to speak nicely, meet the right people and get a good start.

I do think there is some measure of truth in the phrase "Private education or no education" especially now. It may not have been so much a case when I was a DC ( back in the 1960's but even then it was better in private). I have seen it, taught in it, experienced it in state education. I wil not sacrifice my DS on the your alter of giving him to the state because it will be less snobbish.

I like snobbish. Thanks.

[Gunznroses]

This argument been rolling on since 2010 ?

[jabed]

just spotted a typing error - altar not er. My eyesight is not what it was either. :)

[propatria]

If you think private means better whatever the school then yep you are an idiot.

[sohia]

I know exactly what is wrong with Stover propatria but Blundell?s is no better despite what you think. I went there and looked at it. I was told by a girl who boards there that she hates it (she only goes because her father works there although she "lives" with her mother). I don?t think there is a better recommendation than that of those who go there. But you know that Blundell?s or Truro are not possible for me. Truro I would think about if I were nearer and I could send my DC as day pupils. I want my own DC at home with me not at school being looked after like waifs and strays. My choices are local the local school which is Ivybridge or Plymouth College or Stover. Both those schools are really paid for schools with a state education mentality and that is what is wrong with them Blundell?s is the same. The attitude of some of the teachers stinks rotten of chav but no worse than Ivybridge. Unfortunately they lost good teachers although I hear a couple have come back. My DS has benefitted from being put in a top class now with girls where before he was in a boys only class and most of them were not too bright. DD is in GCSE now so difficult to move. Stover is still shoulders above the local comprehensive. Classes without rude, disruptive and chavy attitudes (amongst the children) is worth paying for when you look at the alternative. I could say more but I would get into trouble for upsetting mumsnetters.

[jabed]

I see Ivybridge is in the news again, this time not the school but the area. :) I am beginning to feel I know this place.

Propatria - thinking of your word snobbish. I wont accept it. Its not about snobbery ( that is some sense that certain groups are inherently above or better than others), its just about difference. I am not a snob. However, I do not share the cultural interests and values of certain groups in society. I do not place a value judgement on them in an y way. I just prefer to connect socially with those people with whom I share interests and values. Thats why I select independent schools. Its the only way I can find a group of people with like minds and values.

If there is any snobbery here its your attitude propatria.

By the way, you neatly sidelinedmy question - how are those local comps you speak of better? I looked at the telegraph. I still do not see your point.

[propatria]

Sohia,so you went to look at a school you knew wasnt right for your child and lo the child showing you around told you she hated it,phew that was lucky wasnt it.
"the attitude of some teachers stinks rotten of chav"-translation please?
Jabed you are a little petty snob,your statement that that you can only find people with whom you share interests and values in the private sector says it all,anyone who can dismiss at a stroke 93% of children and rparents is a snob of the worst kind,
Didnt sidestep your question at all,pointed you in the direction of the league tables,but if that isnt enough,if you think it makes sense to pay for a school that uses portacabins,doesnt have specialist subject teachers and no sport or cultural activities to speak of is better then good luck to you.
You and Sohia are made for each other,now as it seems you have more money than sense can I introduce you to a pal in Nigeria who has some excellent businees opps you might be interested in?

[jabed]

Dont talk so stupid woman! Most schools have classrooms in portacabins, especially in state schools. I know of several top rank independents which have a series of classrooms in what you might call portacabins . In our case its a result of planning regulations and besides the "cabins" are in a woodland setting. You wouldnt get that in a state school. You would get the portacabins though, probably on the school car park with cars all around and nowhere to play. They would probably leak too where the pupils have played football with the walls. The sports fields having been tarmaced over years ago. Independents may have such portable buildings but they are well maintained and equipped.

I am not big on sporting activities. I am not steam rollering my DS. I hope he doesnt turn out to be a jock. I have to be honest and say that I would disappoint me. I would rather he was a geek any day. He isnt showing any signs of one cell brainism fotunately. I want a school with small classes. I want a school which has solid reliable teaching of basic skills. I want discipline. I want clear moral standards. That is primarily what I am paying for. You can stuff the hi tech and the sports equippment where the sun wont find it for me. My priorities are clearly different to yours. You want an all show and no go establishment. I prefer substance to good looks.

As for not mixing with 93% of the population - who the hell does? Most of us may rub shoulders in the supermarket but I do not count 93% of the population amongst my friends. I choose friends with like interests and like backgrounds. That in part is a result of working in a particular environment of course and living in a particular environment too. Like most people. You kid yourself if you suggest differently. You can pull the wool over some peoples eyes propartia but I have been around too long for that kind of scam and talk talk. I doubt your friends are anymore diverse than mine. It doesnt happen.

I looked closely at what you were saying. I can see no difference between your suggestions of those " in a different class" and any other middle of the road independent. You are not talking Eton or Westminster. You arent even talking in terms of a school like that I work in. I think you need to open your eyes.

[sohia]

Sohia,so you went to look at a school you knew wasnt right for your child and lo the child showing you around told you she hated it,phew that was lucky wasnt it
"the attitude of some teachers stinks rotten of chav"-translation please?

I didnt make myself clear. The girl who told me how she hated Blundells was one who lives near us. She is a boarder so her experience would reflect my DC's. She told me on a weekend out of school. She didnt show me round.

I cant see why you do not understand the last ohrase. Given your hatred of Stover it plays into your hands. Some of the teachers at Stover have a chav attiude. They dress slovenly with bling, low necks and look scruffy. Even when they are dressed up they are vulgar. They lack refinement. They speak commonly. They are just chav. Not what I expect for a teacher in any private school. I find it bad because they are telling my DC to dress properly and always criticising how they wear their uniforms. Others in the staff are what you would call snobs. So both ends.

I will say this isnt all the teachers, just some of them. It does bring the school down so I can see why you speak as you do propatria. But some of the teachers are very good as teachers and my DC like the school and seem to be thriving there. Lots of their friends are nice.

So yes, I know why you dont like Stover. Its a state school dressed up as private one but without the horrible and disruptive kids.

[propatria]

Showing your age with that opening sentence Jabed,might want to calm down a bit ,in the 21c women are allowed opinions.The rest of your post is as funny as ever,why are you so desperate to tell everyone how great your school is(even though you think no one has heard of it)portacabins arent a great start.
You protest too much about your school,clearly its just a local version of Stover,a waste of money.
Of course we mix with people with similar interests ,lets not try to rewrite history, ,you stated that only in private schools could you find people with like minds and values,that is such a silly statement,but sadly sums up the small minded petty little snob that schools like Stover rely on.
Your rants about clear morals,discipline etc really do look rather sad,the normal stuff from people paying for something than can be obtained free and if you dont understand the benefits of sport for all not just the jocks with as you put it "one brain cellism"then You need to go and talk to a doctor.
Where does your hatred of the state system come from,?for you to feel that you need to try and say why private portacabins are far superior to state ones is rather worrying but at the same time hialrious,please keep it up its most entertaining if a little disturbing.

[propatria]

Sohia,fantastic post,chav teachers,bling,common speaking,etc ,priceless,
Please confirm you are a spoof...

[Mutteroo]

This is such a funny thread!
It started two years ago with a request from the OP who has likely long gone. Now there's that debate on private and state schools with those anti and opposed not willing to budge an inch in their opinion.

My DC experienced state and private education and there was good and bad in both. They do not go to school in Devon or Cornwall or went to any school higher ranked than Eton.

[happygardening]

"Now there's that debate on private and state schools with those anti and opposed not willing to budge an inch in their opinion."
Mutteroo Im sure you are aware that this is a long running and frequently acrimonious debate with posters like Xenia and Jabed very successfully winding everybody up although I personally am unconvinced that they are not one and the same person who enjoys creating a stir!
Yes you are right there are good and bad in both and also just because independent famous school A with jaw dropping results, facilities, etc works for one child doesn't mean it will work for all.
Does it matter where we send our DC's state or independent providing we are happy with it?