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Original poster

Forres Sandle Manor

66 replies

Pompomtutuhasfairyfingers · 09/09/2018 10:50

We're looking for an independent prep school that feeds in to Canford. We had planned to send our daughter (currently year 5) to Forres Sandle Manor but friends already there say there is an eery atmosphere at the moment due to staff inexplicably and abruptly leaving (including the head). Any ideas? We're looking for co-ed not too far out of Salisbury.

TIA

OP posts:
vhud86 · 06/03/2019 10:21

I just came across this feed when I was googling my daughters matches for this week.
My daughter has just re-joined Forres in year 4 and I can honestly say she is the happiest little girl I have known since going back to the school. I love the new Head he is so much like the Head we had before Mr Hartley and he is exactly what the school needs.
With regards to Saturday school, there are still plenty of matches happening on Saturdays and enrichment programs, they are more optional now which gives families flexibility.
They are honestly the happiest group of children and they love going into school. My daughter asks everyday when she can start boarding.
With regards to the financial difficulties mentioned some parents pulled the accounts of the school and other independent schools in the area and actually we are in a better position than most....I would say that the school is engaging in forward thinking rather than any crisis.
Obviously we all have our own values and opinions on schools but I know that Forres turns out confident, well rounded, polite, happy children and that's all I could ask for in a school. It is honestly the loveliest place to be and I cant wait for my younger daughter to start too.

Lara53 · 07/03/2019 15:13

Highfield in Liphook send a number of children to Canford every year

MrPickles73 · 09/03/2019 08:47

Buckholme Towers in Poole has just closed . So check the size of any school before you join...

wonderwooman · 11/03/2019 17:50

I know this post was from a while ago but I was looking at Forres Sandle Manor’s website and saw that both their U11 and U13 boys hockey teams are county champions this year. That doesn’t sound much like a school that has no sports fixtures...

It sounds very much as though the rumours went slightly awry!

GrammerlyH · 15/03/2019 03:41

I have friends with daughters at St Mary’s Shaftesbury and they are very happy (and lovely girls) - it’s all girls so might not suit you, but worth checking out. It goes from year 5 to year 13 and is quite close to Sandroyd, my friend says some of the Sandroyd girls feed into them at Year 9. Might be useful if you don’t want to move dd twice.

handsfullallthetime · 10/06/2019 06:30

Its been an interesting thread this... as a lot of the comments were late last year, I was wondering what the feeling is now about Forres Sandle Manor? Still recommended by current parents there?
Thank you!

Bibby3 · 06/07/2019 19:22

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Gran2503 · 15/07/2019 15:33

The head did leave but the new one is great. He was the deputy head so the children know him really well. Both my granddaughter and grandson go to the school as borders and are very very happy there. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and friendly. The staff are excellent. There were a few problems but the school is now ok, due to the hard work of the new head, staff and board of trustees. A great school to send your children to. Smile

Peachesandcream2 · 27/07/2019 12:53

I have two children currently at FSM and can not imagine ever finding a better, happier school to send my children to. The school have made some very welcome changes over the course of the last academic year for example, the introduction of a new Saturday Enrichment programme (starting in September) that will provide my children with even more opportunities beyond the academic curriculum. I think the thing I love most about FSM is the breadth of education and exciting experiences that the school provides. The staff are fantastic, the new head is both impressive and passionate about the school he is leading and the vibe of the school has become more and more 'buzzy'. In my opinion, the best school, set in the most beautiful surroundings.

TessApricot · 31/12/2020 12:59

Hello all, sorry to bump an old thread but I’ve just been told that the Forres Sandle Manor Headmaster is leaving. Are things still ok at the school?

TessApricot · 17/01/2021 21:31

Bumping - relative is applying for reception place there - any feedback from current parents?

akd79 · 06/03/2021 12:59

@TessApricot
Hello, my husband and I recently visited the school and had a zoom call with the incoming Head and were really impressed by the staff and the vision for the school. (From what I've read Acting Head has secured a promotion at Wells, where he has an existing connection.)

There are really fantastic plans for the school and the new Head being from a nearby highly regarded school is a real plus I think. Particularly liked his pastoral credentials and awareness. The early years teachers were so lovely and the maths and english programmes they follow are highly effective (first hand experience of them from our local school), the grounds are really amazing. We're strongly considering it, our one query being some smallish class sizes (not all), but it doesn't take much for numbers to increase.

Well worth visiting when they have open days, or privately.
I'm also interested to hear constructive comments from any current members of the school, have to say there was a lot to like...

TessApricot · 06/03/2021 13:31

Thanks @akd79 but they’ve actually opted for Stroud instead. Good luck with your school search!

TessApricot · 06/03/2021 13:40

By the way just reread this thread - the recommendation for St Mary’s Shaftesbury hasn’t aged well! 😞

akd79 · 06/03/2021 14:14

No problem @TessApricot, hope it all works out well!

thetell · 06/03/2021 15:17

Isn’t this the school that was on the recent thread about Chinese owned schools that had connections to state officials?

TessApricot · 06/03/2021 18:02

Oh I don’t know @thetell but I just looked at the website and it says there is a transfer of ownership so possibly?

Wannakisstheteacher · 27/03/2021 16:01

Does anyone know what is going on with FSM? Head leaving and transfer of ownership doesn’t look great! DH is in the Army so we were considering it for DD and the school DS is at is crippling even with CEA.

akd79 · 21/04/2021 11:46

Hi, @Wannakisstheteacher we're considering it and so far been v impressed, as per message above. They've been very open in their responses to our qs about the new ownership so worth checking in with them if you're thinking of it.

newforestpony11 · 22/04/2021 12:18

@akd79 do you work for the school?! 🤣

akd79 · 27/04/2021 14:40

@newforestpony11 Ha Ha! No, no connection!

Tommy01 · 27/04/2021 15:00

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JKR24 · 04/05/2021 16:32

Hi everyone, I know this is an old thread, but does anyone have any up to date information about Forres Sandle? I see that a new Head is due to start Sept 21, and wonder if things have settled down a bit / are on the up? Would live to hear personal views as we are considering as an option for our daughter. Thank you!

newforestpony11 · 04/05/2021 16:57

@JKR24 my children are at another New Forest prep but I have friends with kids at FSM. They said it feels unsettled still as it has been bought out (Chinese buyer I think?) so no longer a charitable trust and they are concerned about the ethos of the school (which they love) changing. They all really like the current Head but obviously he is leaving which adds to the unsettled feeling. However, all their kids are still perfectly happy at the school, which says a lot about the staff!

newforestpony11 · 04/05/2021 20:09

ps My kids are at Walhampton which I can recommend wholeheartedly.

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