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Original poster

Choosing a school. SHouldnt it be a decision made by a grown up and not by me!

74 replies

mrspink27 · 04/03/2006 23:02

Been looking at prospectus after prospectus, have done countless visits and open days and just feel completely daunted and overwhelmed by making the right decision about which school to choose.

Just wondered if there was anyone else in the same boat?

OP posts:
Milliways · 07/03/2006 22:57

My Nephew is in his final year at Summerhill. He went there as has severe dyslexia, and has done really well.

Original poster
mrspink27 · 09/03/2006 14:57

well, was quite impressed with ardingly, except reception rooms were VERY small, going to see hand cross tomorrow and Holmewood house in T wells, which is way out of our budget but worth a look for comparisons sake. Still havent had that feeeling though!

Spoke to a friend about Tavistock and she was a bit concerned about the drop in pupil numbers over the last few years, she seemed to indicate that there was something not quite right about the school.

OP posts:
OLIVEBRANCH · 09/03/2006 17:11

Hi mrspink I've been following your thread as I am seriously thinking of independent schools for my daughter aged 10. Live in E.Sussex sat the 11+ for Kent Grammar Passed 11+ bless her and she was very unwell (had Chickenpox) but didn't get a place at Grammar - limited "out of county" places. Very interested to know your thoughts on Lingfield Notre Dame? and have you been to Beechwood Sacred Heart Tun Wells? Thanks

Original poster
mrspink27 · 09/03/2006 19:25

Olive branch - no havent been to Beechwood, as we have only just started looking in the TWells direction, As for Lingfield Notre Dame, All 5 of my nieces and nephew go there or have been there, 1 left to go to do a levels at Reigate and got 10 A A or B grades at GCSE, the next is predicted to get 10 A in the summer although she is G and T. I know quite a lot about the Junior school(the other nieces and nephews go there now) but not much more than that about the Senior site. There is an entrance exam, and the places may be limited for Y7. I know it pushes quite hard to achieve its good results. I have inside information about the staff Wink but i'll say no more than that!!!!!! Its worth a visit but beware of the principal who is all spin and PR. The junior school is not for us, but as I say I have inside information! SSsssssh! enough said!!!!!!!

OP posts:
OLIVEBRANCH · 09/03/2006 21:51

Many thanks for that, I think I'll ring for a prospectus and pay it a visit. I have heard good reports regarding Beechwood if thats any help.

Original poster
mrspink27 · 09/03/2006 23:28

Olive - beechwood is a catholic school and although we would like a broadly christian basis, the catholic way would not be an easy choice for us to make.... for the same reasons Woldingham is out and also the very religious sounding Great Walstead, but thanks for the suggestion anyway. Always open to those!

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Original poster
mrspink27 · 10/03/2006 11:00

update... handcross was not for us, now at a bit of a loss, going to see holmewppd house next week and then... who knows!

OP posts:
starlover · 10/03/2006 11:04

have you been to Greenfields? that's in forest row

starlover · 10/03/2006 11:05

or heathersett montessori primary school? that one is in crawley

Original poster
mrspink27 · 10/03/2006 11:23

Thanks Starlover, Greenfields is out as it is a scientology school, nothing against them, just not for us... and i dont know anything about hethersett. I have googled it but cant find any info on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
mrspink27 · 10/03/2006 13:42

ok just been to pick my niece up from 3 bridges and stopped in on hethersett montessori.... whichh is also a no as it has 5 children in the whole school.... who are all nearer 11 than 5! back to the drawing board!

OP posts:
starlover · 10/03/2006 21:06

oooh is it? lol sorry! Don't know anything about it, just saw it in my copy of grapevine!

miggy · 10/03/2006 21:56

Right MrsPink, having been to a concert tonight and been reminded about all the things I love about GW, I am going to be firm with you and urge you to at least visit GW Grin
I know exactly what you mean about wanting the school to grab you, have been trawling secondary schools for ds1 recently and we went for the one that we had a gut feeling for.
Just go and have a look, majority of parents are bog average church once a week at most, lots like us just for weddings etc Just think it might give you that gut feeling.Am sadly not on commission, though perhaps I might try!
one of the things I love is the really strong music dept, fab choir (junior and senior) orchestra (junior and senior), brass groups/flute groups etc but choir and orchestra totally non selective, anyone thats keen can join, which I think is lovely, sums up whole ethos of the school really.

starlover · 10/03/2006 22:00

i have to say, the boys i used to looka fter go to GW... moved from state primary and the difference was just incredible! seems to really be doing it for them!

Original poster
mrspink27 · 10/03/2006 22:19

Miggy - ok ok ok I submit! I will ring on Monday morning and make an appointment for a visit!

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Original poster
mrspink27 · 16/03/2006 12:03

Miggy - I went to Great WAlstead today and would love a chat about it... any chance?? thank you.

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Original poster
mrspink27 · 16/03/2006 18:17

bump - hoping Miggy will see!

OP posts:
ChiswickLu · 06/05/2011 13:23

Woldingham is a Catholic school, but you'll find that they don't drive it into people. It's very softly-softly. There are girls from all faiths there. My daughter is now a boarder and she isn't Catholic.

MollieO · 06/05/2011 13:28

Seeing as this is over 5 years old I assume the OP has made a decision! Grin

nat3931471 · 25/06/2013 13:00

Did anyone look at Beechwood Sacred Heart in the end or find out any opinions on it??

Theas18 · 26/06/2013 15:05

mrspink27

Just to let you know you are not alone in not really feeling " like an adult" ....

I feel like that most of the timeLOL

alicia32 · 26/06/2013 17:08

I am more like you however it is such a large choice though. Do your female's have any concept where they would like to go?

InvaderZim · 26/06/2013 17:16

Mobile alert!

You do all realise this is a thread from 2006, right?

InvaderZim · 26/06/2013 17:16

Mobile?thanks, autocorrect. That should have said Zombie!!

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