Recommended mixed private North Devon Schools for ages 3-18

[Gatita1980]

Afternoon, we are thinking of moving down to North Devon and need a mixed school for our son who will be in Reception in September 2014 and our daughter who goes into Year 1 this September. Ideally we would like to be as close to the coast as possible, we have stayed in Woolacombe, but are not sure how practical that would be.
Thanks in advance.

On the outskirts, but have always wanted to live on the coast. It would suit us all as we love the sea and all the activities around it. N Devon has lots to do as well as the coast, so it seems like it could work, obviously our priority is the kids and their education.

Gilbertus I used to live in London but would not do so again, especially with kids, so we are looking for a different pace for us all without compromising education or quality of life.

If anyone else can help out here I would be very grateful, thanks to those who have already posted :)

You have picked an area which is not well served for independent education. If you look at the Good Schools Guide website you will see that all the schools available in the area have already been mentioned. There used to be St Michaels in Tawstock, but it only went up to 13, and anyway it had to close down several years ago.

There is a bigger choice of schools in Exeter, but I don't think you would want that as a daily commute with young children.

One of the best schools in Devon is Mount House in Tavistock, but again it only goes up to 13, and would certainly not be commutable on a daily basis from Woolacombe.

North Devon is lovely, but I have always found (and other MNers can correct me if I'm wrong) that the narrow winding roads add a huge amount of time to any journey that, on the map, doesn't look that far.

Very true, and with that in mind I have been route planning as I go to get a more accurate idea of timings. Many thanks for this.

We moved down about 16 years ago (DH is from Tavistock). It can be important if you need to travel up-country regularly for work as DH does.

Of course it's swings and roundabouts, as it it precisely that (relative) inaccessibility that has kept the area so special .

West Buckland probably the best private co-ed school in the area, but there isn't a lot of competition, and West Buck is pretty remote (but served by good buses) and has lots of boarders. It's where I would send my kids if we were living in N Devon.

Kingsley is not, I understand, as good as the sum of its parts (the two single sex schools merged a little while ago - both had a good reputation but don't seem to have translated it into a new co-ed school, for some reason).

Home wise, if access to the coast is important I'd live in Braunton - although seaside towns are wonderful in summer, they are exceptionally depressing in winter, especially for older children. Bear in mind the amount of ferrying you will need to do as they need to get to extra-curricular events and the poor public transport - Bideford and Braunton are OK-ish for buses, but Woolacombe etc are pretty cut off. Braunton has some good state school provision that you might want to explore, plus easy access to a range of beaches.

Bear in mind that the journey times are not short (there is only one dual carriageway in N .Devon, and that has a 50 mph limit now...) and the branch line from Barnstaple takes ages to get to Exeter, if links to the rest of the country are important to you.

Exmoor!!

Thank you familiesShareGerms this has been very useful, we visited Braunton a number of times and enjoyed it and its atmosphere. I had noticed the transport links in the area are somewhat lacking, so this may well be a more practical place to look. As far as the surf goes I am sure we will go where it takes us, although I have always dreamed of living on the coast.....hmm

The link Road between westward Ho!, Bideford and Barnstaple isn't too bad, it's a 60 limit. Getting to some of the smaller villages is a pain though!

Gatita,

As this move is very much 'fulfilling a dream', I do think it would be worth trying the waters a little to see if the reality matches up before committing yourself. A week or two booked in November or late Feb, with the intention being simply to test out the reality of life in that area (supermarket shopping, a children's activity or two, even timed trips to proposed schools at appropriate times of day) would be a wise precaution before committing yourself longer term.

We go from south Wales to ilfracombe in about 2 1/2 hours.
We often go down in winter for Xmas etc and although lots of places are shut down we always enjoy our stay but that is because we have lots of family and friends there eg MILs friends annual boxing day party etc etc. if we didn't know anyone there would be a lot less to do.

teacherwith2kids I know what you mean, we are tied to school holidays and are away in the Oct half term, so maybe we will have to try the Feb half term and see if we can look at some of the schools at the same time. As lovely as Woolacombe is, the transport links are lacking and the roads are tiny, it may be that Braunton is a more practical idea with better access to larger roads.

I wanted to thank you all for helping, we are going back down later this month and have even managed to get the Headmaster of one of the schools I might consider to show us around whilst we are there!
Watch this space :)

Hi Gaita - bit late joining this thread but I have moved to the area in June (from Hampshire) and enrolled three of my children at Kingsley. It seems a fantastic school - very friendly and nurturing - with lovely parents and happy children. I wouldn't say it was a high pressured, competitive or particularly 'academic' private school - and it obviously depends on what your children are like and what you're looking for - but they have an amazing professional theatre, a dance studio, strong links to the rowing club and offer excellent opportunities in judo and gym (their other two strongest sports). Also a nationally recognised dyslexic unit and they are in the top five percent in the country for VA (value added). Hope that helps. Do get in touch if you want any further info!

Sorry, spelt your name wrong! Also meant to say that there are pockets around here that do close down in winter (I believe Westward Ho! being one) but many other areas that don't and are thriving communities with lots for families with young children to do. In particular, Northam (little village just outside Bideford and about a mile from the school) and then Appledore and Instow - both at the mouth of the estuary of the Torridge river and three miles from Bideford. Incredibly pretty villages with good primary schools and much going on all year..

Westward Ho! is actually part off Northam. It's quieter during the winter but there is still stuff to do, both here and in the surrounding towns.

Hello,
I have just seen this. I live in South Devon and my DC go to school there but I know North Devon. Can I put a word in for Kingsley School? Whilst West Buckland has a reputation as a better school (it is selective), you could do far worse than Kingsley. It will take you DC if needs be from prep to sixth form. Results are excellent.

The school was formed around 4 or 5 years ago from amerger between Grenville College which was opened in 1954 ( I think) as a boys school and Edge Hill which had been a girls school. However, both had been co educational for several years before the merger. Grenville was co educational from around 1994 when it merged with the old Stella Maris school ( a girls school founded in 1929 ). It was a while later when Edge Hill became co educational.

Edge Hill and Grenville were always in very close proximity . The back of Edge Hill being opposite Grenvilles site in Bideford. Grenville was a compact site which didnt allow expansion. Edge Hill had a good site. Edge Hill was on the edge of closure for many years one way or another.

Grenville was more stable but had a few accounting issues in the early 2000's ( or as someone at the time put it," The Bursar has up and left with the teachers pay". But they didnt go under. They were a Woodard School and a good one.

When they merged Grenville took its excellent teachers (and a special unit for dyslexia) and Edge Hill mostly gave them facilities. They became a Methodist affilated School ( which is what Edge Hill was). Its a good school. Most of the Governors are ex Grenville and that includes two ex heads.

The Grenville site is being developed for housing and money is being spent on facilities at Edge Hill. The current Head is due to retire soon but I wouldnt see that as a big problem.

I am biased, I went there. I would send my own DC there if I lived nearer. I will put the word in anyway.

Thank you for this, I tried to contact Kingsley to set up a meeting but got no response, West Buckland replied in hours and agreed to see us. I will try Kingsley again to try and get a more balanced view x

shonas could I ask what area you moved to and did you consider West Buckland as well?

DH and his siblings went to West Buckland. They were all very happy and all went on to RG universities and are doing extremely well for themselves.

I was put off Kingsley slightly due to the very small size of it, but having read some of your messages, I will give it another look x

We're in Instow - three miles from Bideford at the mouth of the Estuary. I didn't consider West Buckland purely because it is too far from us. Some children locally do take the bus - but it's a one hour school run each way which I just feel is too much. We could have moved inland to be closer to the school (because I have heard it's good) but wanted to live right by the sea! Also, I was happy with Kingsley - it ticks boxes for all of my children - and I feel, on balance, I'd rather they were rowing/surfing on the beach after school than sitting on a bus..

shonas I have just set up a meeting at Kingsley for when we are down, so now I can compare them both and get the kid's first impressions!

I'd broaden your search. Bude and the surrounding areas are fantastic, as are Hartland and Westward Ho. Bude seems far better in winter than some North Devon areas. Shebbear College is the best independent school in the area, though not mentioned much here. Our daughter went there and was extremely happy. I'd definately give them a ring and visit there too. I think you'd see there is no better choice. Good luck..