Private schools in Lancaster and a. S

[Muso124]

Hi

My husband and I are planning to move closer to family in Lancaster. We've just had a baby (4 months old) and are looking at private schools for her.

We are surprised to see that there only seems to be two private schools in or near Lancaster: Lancaster Steiner school and Casterton Sedbergh for primary age.

We would most likely need a bursary to help with fees.

Does anyone know if Casterton Sedbergh Prep offer means tested bursaries to young children at entry, aged 4?

Does anyone know of other private schools that Lancaster kids would travel to? I've looked on the map and found a couple South of Lancaster that are around 40 mins away by car (Kirkham Grammar and Highfield Priory) and Windermere School North but none have buses that go anywhere near Lancaster. So we'd be happy to consider taking her, but wonder if that would be feasible? I get the impression that she'd be the only one travelling from Lancaster as a day pupil?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I don't suppose anyone would be able to help me navigate the world of private school fees...?

We are looking at a private school, Casterton Sedbergh, but are unsure whether it is a real option.

I am self employed and on maternity leave at the moment and so we are living on my husband's salary in London (£45,000).

We are planning on moving North to Lancaster and hope he will get a similar salary but are unsure whether this would generally qualify for a bursary or whether anyone is able to pay fees with this kind of household income?

If anyone doesn't mind sharing on this, I'd be very grateful!

Thank you!

Lancaster still has state grammar schools so that partially explains the lack of independent schools.

Thanks for the info! That's great. Do you know much about what those interested in the grammar schools do for primary?

Why not look at their website or e-mail them but why are you dismissing local schools if you don't really have the income to fund private education; have you looked into their quality of education? No other private schools that I am aware of. Have you really thought this through from all angles or do you just like the idea?

Do you know much about what those interested in the grammar schools do for primary?

Er...They take children from them who pass the 11+, with priority for a catchment around Lancaster (though somewhat skewed northwards). I'm not sure secondary schools ever really 'do' anything for primaries.. LGGS is across the road from Dallas Road and has some labs in their building but I never got the impression of any other link.

Sorry, I completely misread your question

Thanks - yes have thought this through but just wanted to get some local knowledge.

I have done research into local schools, and spent a long time on websites but websites and league tables don't substitute for a personal comment which is why I'm asking. We will go to see schools, but are just weighing things up, looking for personal opinions.

As a teacher, I do have a great deal of experience and so don't 'just like the idea of private schools...' Please only comment if you have some helpful advice rather than giving personal negative judgement into our situation.

We are just looking into options for our future and would appreciate support and advice - I'd hope that's what I would get or it's not worth posting on these sites!

Thanks Erolthedragon - really appreciate your time and advice

Let's try again.

I'm pretty sure that what most people do is simply send their kids to the local state primaries if they live in the GS catchment. I don't doubt there's tutoring for 11+ going on. Beyond catchment kids who meet their required standards, there are then residual offers to children from outside catchment (eg down as far as Preston) in order of test score. Some of these will have been to private primaries such as Highfield Priory. Its easier to get a GS place via the catchment state school route than to get a residual place.

That's really helpful, Errollthedragon - thanks!

I managed to mangle that post too but hopefully you get the jist.

For secondary, in addition to the GSs there's a highly rated Cof E school which (last time I looked years ago) had rather odd entry criteria in addition to the usual church attendance including extra points for orphans; I think it prioritised some cofe 'feeder' schools so you might want to check up on that if you'd be thinking of that as backup.

You gave no indication in either of your posts that you had any experience in the field of education or had done any research so forgive me if my post did not meet your strict criteria.

Great - thanks! Will have a look. That's really helpful!

The vast majority of grammar school pupils will have gone to the state primary schools in the Lancaster catchment area. They're not "super selective" so applicants don't need to be tutored within inches of their life for years. There are lots of excellent primary schools in the area, just as there some excellent/very good secondary schools besides the grammars. The reason there isn't much in the way of private schools is that there isn't the demand/need for them.

Are there two threads on this?

If you are a teacher why not apply for a job at Casterton/Sedbergh and get the staff discount on fees for your DC.

Thanks Roystonv! I appreciate that.

Yes, it was rather strict and assumed a lot.

I work in education and have done masses of research and have very strong views on the kind of school I'd like my daughter to go to, as you can probably imagine.

My purpose in posting was merely to get some local advice on schools that I don't have because I live in London. I've looked at all the websites and league tables etc, but just wanted to find out the 'local viewpoints...' rather than getting into a discussion on private v state schools or my opinions on this...

Hope that helps and really appreciate your comment.

This is my first time on here and I was just taken aback by people's readiness to personally comment in a negative way when they don't know all the circumstances. We're just building up a base of knowledge to help us make a decision in the future and to help decide whether Lancaster really is an option and we certainly haven't discounted local state primaries. We will be looking at each school individually. All this helps us to decide whether we should consider moving to Lancaster or elsewhere but relatively near Lancaster for family...

We're only in the early stages...

Thanks again for reposing!

sorry but

There's a good reason you are struggling to find private education round the Lancaster area.

It's because by and large there isn't the market for it round here. It's just not really needed.

It's a small university city, generally people are 'nice', the state schools are nice and it's a low crime area. There aren't 'yoofs' wandering the streets engaging in knife crime and mugging as a rule.

You would be crazy to attempt to travel to Casterton or Windermere every day for school. It's the best part of an hour's drive in good conditions. In winter when it snows you just wouldn't get there.

Why on earth are you worrying about private schools you wont need in this area, on a salary you can't afford for a baby that doesn't even know it's own name yet?

Appreciate those who've taken the time to give some helpful advice on schools and bursaries etc.

I think we'll take it from here now and I'll bow out of Mumsnet after more personal opinions that are not helping...

Thanks to all who took the time to respond,

Maybe it would be worth thinking about moving to Preston instead of Lancaster. There are three private primary schools. Two you mentioned but there is also St Pius x. It's not far from Lancaster for visiting family if that's were your family are and if you find private school a stretch you could still apply to the Lancaster grammar school which both take plenty of kids from Preston.
Or if you want to be nearer to family what about Garstang which is a lovely town half way between Preston and Lancaster.

plenty of kids from Preston.

About 3 busloads between the two schools, covering all years. Not really a lot, and only kids who've done particularly well in the 11+ plus some extras for 6th form. Not odds you can in any way rely on based on a 4 month old!

Schooling in the north west of England is very different to schooling in inner London. Less emphasis seems to be placed on private schools because generally the schools are good and unless you're in the middle of Blackpool or Manchester or Liverpool, most of the schools are rural or in small towns and have very different socio-economic dynamics to London schools.

Lancaster grammar and clitheroe grammar are well regarded, as is king Edwards and queen Mary's in Lytham. Kirkham Grammar (a boarding as well as day pupils) is also ok, and from memory has (or had in the past) it's own primary and prep school.

I don't know much about sedbergh school, but my FiL has worked with some of the team occasionally and says they seem nice enough. Their school takes up about half of the town.

There are also many good High Schools in the area. Lytham High School seem to be doing well at the moment.

Flexi and weekly boarding is available at Casterton - so from 11+ that would be an option? Perhaps a long way to go daily for a younger child though. I’ve had personal experience at this school and have been very happy with it.

@ErrolTheDragon
There are at least four double decker buses from Preston and a lot also get the train. Im not sure how you would define plenty but my guess would be that there will be at least 20 in each year from Preston and the "A6 corridor" outside the inner catchment area.

You are of course correct about the 11+ but I do think that the information I provided is relevant considering the OP's question. It will be years before they need to even think about primary applications never mind secondary but the OP did ask what those interested in the Grammar schools do for Primary and a private primary in Preston is definitely an option if there are none in Lancaster and that is what the OP has her heart on.

Ah, my information may be a little old - I forgot LGGS added a fifth form a couple of years ago, so the number of residual places probably has increased.

Living a bit north of Preston near the A6 bus route, private primary accessible round Eastway (or there are some decent state schools if you can do the church thing), near the motorway junction so you can go in any direction easily for work and leisure and having a bright kid can certainly work out extremely well. If I was moving to the area now though, and was starting a family, I’d probably go for Lancaster.