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Original poster

Tell me about your school - I can't find what i'm looking for.

53 replies

TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 21:45

I would like to send my DS to a (primary) school which sounds close to this :

  • respects and nurtures the individual
  • has a very broad curriculum
  • does not have a uniform (preferably)
  • teachers and pupils call eachother by first names
  • very 'inclusive' (regarding special needs)

Have been looking at Steiner, but not sure about it 100%. Have found a few democratic/human scale ones, but feel I may be limiting DS to a lifetime of hippy - eco warrior education (which he will get from me anyway ).

If anyone can enlighten me as to any other options I would be really grateful.

I have been quite interested to read some of the recent threads on private ed - I kind of assumed that private schools were academic and strict (they are around here), but some of the posts made their schools sounds quite different to that.

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Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 21:47

Oooh, meant to also say :

  • part-time attendence in the first few years would be a BIG plus.
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cat64 · 12/05/2007 21:48

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rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 21:49

Where are you? We have a local private school that is not quite as relaxed as you would like but the ethos is very child led. I used to teach in primary and actually have no objection to uniform (children generally like it) and teachers being Miss/Mrs/Mr (again, the children almost see it as a title like Mummy)
Steiner is great but you really have to commit to it all the way through,would be very difficult to transfer to a more mainstream school. What are your reservations?

Blu · 12/05/2007 21:50

Somewhere in Scandinavia?

rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 21:53

Another point is that you say you will already be giving him "hippy - eco warrior education" so maybe it will be good for him to experience a broader spectrum if only to disagree with it!
My only criteria is finding a school where my children can be joyful and relaxed. In that environment any child will learn. As Cat said,look at all your local options then go with your gut.

Ladymuck · 12/05/2007 21:57

Come on, tell us roughly where you live, and we can have an internet challenge - I'm up for some online research!

FWIW I can think of several schools which match 3 or even 4 of your criteria, but I'm struggling on uniform and first names, but that is just my local area (and I looked at loads of schools!)

Nightynight · 12/05/2007 22:14

theodoresmummy - the ideal school for you sounds like a Steiner or Montessori school in Germany! They are a bit different from the english ones, but tick all your boxes, including part time education (most schools do this in germany)

Their teaching methods can be a bit unusual, but the curriculum is the same as for mainstream schools, and includes a lot of science, maths, music etc.

Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 22:19

Oooh, I got replies !!

I live in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

Am prepared to move if I can find the right school. In fact am quite happy to move - only downsides would be moving away from my parents (but I am 30 now ) and movingaway from Ds's nursery, so any siblings would not go there - it is fabulous so that makes me sad.

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Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 22:23

I just know that if he went to one of the local state schools, I would be a major PITA Mummy !!!

Local private schools seem to all be very strict/academic/'superior'...

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rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 22:27

Don't move away from your parents!!!!!!!!

I would give anything to have family nearby. What do you really want from school or, more importantly, what don't you want?

I have seen children do exceptionally well (on all levels) in shitty schools and vice versa. Your input will have a huge input on yout child's experience of education. You must do what's right for your whole family. (and, last time I was there, Stratford was a pretty lovely place!)

rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 22:28

PITA in what way?

mrspink27 · 12/05/2007 22:38

TheodoresMummy - you are describing the dds school!
It is a montessori school with eco status and my dh is always moaning about the kaftan wearing, tree hugging, pot smoking dancing round the maypole hippies that send their kids there, but i love it and so do the dds. (he is an ex public schoolboy - so what do you expect )
Anyway - our school (ages 2 - 12 and now extending to 16) has a massively broad curriculum, huge emphasis on the environment etc, but recent topics include Egypt, Scott of the Antarctic, British Flora and Fauna, Aboriginal Art, Water. Christmas plays are always interesting- Temple of Osiris and Rama and Sita were the last 2 years offerings. They support home educators so you can send your children as much or as little as you deem appropriate - minimum of 2 sessions. They teach french, kodaly music, ballet and they have a yurt in the playground.It has a uniform but is not compulsory, everyone known by first names, and extremely nurturing - very holistic approach, with sn kids (add, aspergers, downs all present in the school - hope that doesnt sound un pc) Each child is known really well and there is a tremendous sense of community. Sadly for you it is on Surrey/West Sussex borders! It is a highly unique place, the head is mad as badgers but it is tremendously special and my girls love it.

Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 22:42

Too much wrong in the state system and I can't keep my mouth shut .

Don't get me wrong, the kids are great, the teachers are incredible, but :

  • class sizes of 30 !!
  • too formal too soon
  • full time hours too much for little ones
  • one size fits all is dressed up as equal opportunity for all kids
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Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 22:44

Mrspink - does it have a website !!??

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rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 22:55

Def agree with you on class sizes and too formal too soon! A friend of mine has a son who is reception - he gets homework and knows that he is in the 'top' group

I think that independent or home schooling is your way forward. We've seen a few independent and only one was the traditional, parents-at-arms-length, formal public school.

mrspink27 · 12/05/2007 23:00

sadly not - computers... hmm what are they then! not a strong feature in the school!

Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 23:04

Which is the private close to you Rebeccalm ?

I was originally going to Home Ed, but wanted to try him in the nursery he is at and he LOVES IT !! He is thriving and I don't want him to just stop having that in a year and half....

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rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 23:09

We are near Ashford Kent-a bit far for you but Google 'Spring Grove, Wye' just to see what I mean. Might not be your thing, I have known people who don't think it's academic enough but that's a plus point for me!! Not as alternative as Mrs Pink's (which sounds fab!) I just love the focus on the children being happy.

Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 23:11

Homework in primary school - there's another issue....

Totally understandable at secondary level, but why are we (as a nation) so desperate for children to grow up as quickly as possible ?

Ds is as bright as a button, but at the moment (only 3.5), HV and Speech Th have both labelled him emotionally immature.... Nursery think he's lovely tho and are always quick to praise other qualities.

Suppose I want a continuation of what he's getting at nursery.

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rebeccalm · 12/05/2007 23:20

What does 'emotionally immature' at 3.5 mean??? Get him to read 'Women are from Venus..'??
You are right to want a school that doesn't want to label him but if he is going to need support then you have to look for that too. Go and visit schools. I had virtually ruled out that school before going and loving it. You have to find what's right for your ds so try to steer clear of discussions in your local mother and baby groups as everyone wants to validate their own choices so seem quick to criticise yours.

katelyle · 12/05/2007 23:35

PLEASE don't rule out state primary schools! Both of my children are at fab state schools. My ds is in year i and he has a wonderful time. Yes, his class is big - 28 - and there is only one teacher, BUT there are always two classroom assistants and usually at least one, often more parent helpers. They have loads of music, outside time and unstructured play. Yes, they do follow a prescribed curriculum, but that only takes up a bit of the day. The rest of the time they do a wide range of other activities. And our school is not special - it is a very average neighbourhood school with a wide and diverse catchment area. It's OK, by the way, to be a PITA parent, schools need people like you to challenge orthodoxies. And I, personally, would say very rude things to an "Expert" who labelled a 3.5 year old emotionally immature. HAve you asked them exactly what they mean by it?

Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 23:37

Ladymuck - sorry, didn't ask further about the schools you are thinking of. I would love to hear about them....

His speech has caught up now and he is also much more grown up in the last few months. I and the HV were wondering if he was on the autistic spectrum, but his Pead thinks not. So I think he's just a bit eccentric (which I like ).

So really just hoping for an open/sympathetic approach rather than needing specialist support.

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car25 · 12/05/2007 23:39

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Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 23:48

Thanks Katelyle - that sounds very interesting. Outside time is something my DS needs (plenty of it).

He's grown up in the last few months, but basically he was picking up skills, but not keen to use them - e.g. knows what to do with many toys, but would rather bang them or throw them. No concentration (although nursery manager once commented on how good his concentration is !!??). Plays alone and in fact is only just comfortable around other children (still behaves a bit strange around them). Very sensitive. Didn't rspond to any discipline/consequence. BUT all this seems to be righting itself, he just didn't do it all when the books said he should .

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Original poster
TheodoresMummy · 12/05/2007 23:52

I'm very keen to find out more Mrspink.

Could you let me know the name or contact details so I can send for a prospectus ?

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