Barlborough Hall or SPSP Chesterfield

[Happyclownjuggling]

Hi,
Just after anyone's experiences of either school please.
I have a quiet, slightly shy 3 yr old DS who starts school this September.
Due to a house move fiasco (buyers pulled out just before exchange and we lost our upward chain) we missed getting into the good state schools near us so are looking at a RI school where the tour included the words 'we're making the playground safe but there's a bit of broken glass still' or private.
Been round spsp and DS loved it, linked to his current nursery. But just seen its lost its headteacher suddenly and does seem to have a drive on for recruiting students.
Any local advice gratefully received, thanks.

Hi, we attended a Barlborough Hall open morning recently, and were really impressed with the school and the head teacher’s presentation. So far it’s a serious contender for us. Our DD’s are 6 and 9 years old, so coming in from state education after a disappointing experience.

It is a Jesuit school and us not being Catholic, is only aspect that makes me hesitant. Although we were told there are less than 30% of pupils who are Catholic. I’m looking into this further though, as would hate to allow my own perceptions to cloud my judgement on what could be the best school for our girls.

Thanks Mixie, visiting this week and I had the same reservations initially regarding the catholic aspect - catholic grandparents on one side but myself and DH are much more loosely c of e.
Did you consider st peter st pauls too in that area?

I know little of barlborough hall but did briefly consider SPSP for my kids. I was put off by its relatively poor academic results. I appreciate its non selective but actually 2-3 of our most local state options had miles better results. Additionally, if this isn’t too outing there are now eight children at my DDs’ state primary who have left SPSP to come here. We’re hugely lucky I realise to have got our first choice of a brilliant local state school.

Hi Happy, sorry I forgot to reply.

No, we didn’t consider SPSP purely because of distance from where we live. barlborough Hall is a push for us, but M1 makes it more accessible.

How did your visit to BH go last week?

Hi guys -are any of you still active on this post?
Thanks

Is this post still active?

I had 2 children at BH, so can comment.

My summary would be that they talk a good game.

In terms of the positives, it is a real community feeling school with a very active parent association. On the whole the children turn out very well with good self confidence. Class sizes are 20 or less. It is very sports and active based, about 4-5 hours a week. All children do swimming once per week, right from day one. They go to school on bank holidays and Saturday mornings which means we get parent time. There is a breakfast club from 07:30 and free hobbies every day until 17:15.

In terms of the negatives, the school will side with "problematic" parents rather than ones who are supportive of things like discipline as it's easier that way. They don't deal with bullying. A few of the staff have favourites so if your child's face doesn't fit they will be treated differently to the favourites. Staff numbers are borderline, so if staff are off they have to scrabble around to cope. SEN provision is hit and miss, things like dyslexia get missed and in quite a few cases parents gave had to get external assessments done before the school even noticed. Results are hit and miss academically, and if you have a high performing child it is unlikely they will be pushed.

Overall it's up to you, but if I had my time over I would look at somewhere else. There are better alternatives around for example there's Workshop College, St Anselms or Birkdale.

This is a bit old but I have DC at S.Anselm's. Liked SPSP but don't do French till quite late and my kids were already doing it. Birkdale, just had a head change so worth watching. I found it a bit socially pressured, very much 'look at our money' but schools change with a new head. Westbourne seems lively, just hell to get to, and again not hugely academic for bright kids but seems to have good pastoral support
Anselm's getting new head, acting head is truly lovely, last head left under a (well-deserved) cloud so we shall see what the new one brings.
All my kids adore the school, and they are very different, I find it so friendly and relaxed and we struggle for the fees but don't feel like we're viewed any less than the millionaires!