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Original poster

Private schools York

31 replies

Upsydaisymummy · 26/04/2019 23:07

Hi All, please could I have some advice on which of the following private schools in York are best (from nursery to sixth form);

Pocklington School
Queen Ethelburga's
Bootham School
Clifton/St Olave's/St Peters

Thanks

OP posts:
RomanyQueen1 · 26/04/2019 23:09

*Queen Ethelburga's used to have a bad rep for elaborating stuff. Not sure what it's like now. Don't know the others, so BUMP

GoAndAskDaddy · 26/04/2019 23:31

Depends on your child, your location, your priorities.....more info?

Northernlurker · 26/04/2019 23:34

Bootham. Great ethos, great standards.

Pocklington isn't York
St Peters is hugely up themselves
Queen E's is a massive educational con and waste of money. Very fierce of their rep though so this thread will likely implode.

Original poster
Upsydaisymummy · 26/04/2019 23:36

I'll be moving to York in roughly 6-8 months so wanted to know which school outweighed the others and why. I don't want to be moving around and want my child to go to different schools. She's currently only a year old. If say Pocklington was to come up trump's against the other three then I would want to be in Pocklington and not commute. I want to be within the ring road ideally so the house will come come secondary to the school.

OP posts:
HazelE123 · 26/04/2019 23:42

I think they're all good in different ways. Probably the best thing is to go on a visit and get a feel for the place - I used to be a teacher and reckon you get a feel for the atmosphere as soon as you walk into a place - whether the kids are happy and how well managed it is. Also have you considered the Minster school (for budding musicians?).

Had a look at this article - Pocklington sounds quite nice. Location might make a difference to - St Ethelburgers is rural, Bootham is on a busy central location (also Quaker ethics if that matters).

Again having a look round might help with that. Personally I think they're less likely to get into trouble out of town in a rural area!

www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/education/7-of-the-best-schools-in-yorkshire-1-5215861

GoAndAskDaddy · 26/04/2019 23:46

The traffic in York (like most cities) can be horrendous so I would plan carefully! Pocklington has a lovely, friendly vibe but not as academic as St Peter’s. You probably need to go and visit them. Pocklington is a great place to live but if you are working in York every day I would live there. York state schools are very good from what I understand.

BroomstickOfLove · 26/04/2019 23:56

My children go to a very state school in York. I'd happily send them to Bootham. I would avoid Queen E's like the plague. St Peter's and Pocklington are fine, but I mildly dislike the people I know who have sent their children there, which puts me off a bit. Queen Margaret's is good if you like single sex schools, but starts at 11 rather than with nursery pupils.

Original poster
Upsydaisymummy · 27/04/2019 00:05

Thanks all, I work from home so commuting for that reason isn't a problem.
I currently live in County Durham so trying to buy a house and pick a good school is a challenge plus I have a Velcro baby which doesn't allow me to freely investigate in person. If I can get an idea on which is for the best. I have lived in rural places for 11 years now and quite frankly sick of it (not even a shop!) I am more leaning towards Pocklington unless there are major reasons as to why it could be a mistake.

OP posts:
HelloYouTwo · 27/04/2019 12:22

The only thing is you’re choosing a school now for a 1 year old, who may have different requirements later on. Pocklington is a nice all round school but it’s very sport-oriented - music and drama feature too but it’s all quite full-on, a quieter child might find it hard. Bootham is nice but wouldn’t necessarily suit a child that needs structure discipline and a push. St Peter’s is very pleased with itself but I’ve heard good things about it. QE I won’t even comment! They all have boarding and Saturday school don’t forget. There’s also the Mount school for girls too.

If you decide to live in Pocklington now, you’ve pretty much made the decision on the school. Going into York in the mornings is horrendous. If you move into York you’ve got more bases covered for the future plus access to the state schools (depending on catchment) which are pretty good. Pocklington has a big catchment too, so kids’ socialising will take you out to Hull, up to Malton etc.

AnotherNewt · 27/04/2019 12:27

I think you need to visit (they won't mind a baby coming along)

I've known families very happy with St Peters and with Bootham, and you're likely to be fine with either. But you need to decide about what ethos you prefer and where you see your DC, and where they can see themselves.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about Pocklington

Original poster
Upsydaisymummy · 28/04/2019 23:12

Thanks all for your comments it's been a great help. I've done some intense research, maybe a little overboard but I have decided on Bootham School. Thanks again.

OP posts:
FreeFreesia · 29/04/2019 12:47

Before you commit take a look at some old threads on here. Bullying regularly comes up as a theme at Bootham.

I've friends with DC currently at St Peter's and both DC and parents are happy. DS plays for a club that has a lot of Pocklington School pupils. I have only good things to say about the the young people I have met. The school is sporty but art is also strong and it has a great reputation supporting those with dyslexia. It was my second choice.

Original poster
Upsydaisymummy · 29/04/2019 17:38

Thanks, have you got any links on here please?

OP posts:
JellyBabiesSaveLives · 30/04/2019 14:29

Do think about what you want from the school. For example, Pocklington state school generally gets better exam results than Pock Grammar (but the buildings aren’t as pretty). In fact, if exam results are what matter, buy yourself a really nice house very close to Fulford school Smile.

If you might choose St Peters or Bootham, pick your house very carefully (ideally within walking distance). It’s usually much much quicker to walk a mile around there than to drive ...

For the St Olaves/St Peters group, have a backup,plan in case your child doesn’t love sport, and also prepare for your child to think they know everything about everything (loudly) for about 12 years. (I know kids at all the schools you’ve mentioned accept Ethelburgas. I don’t know what they do to them at St Olaves but omg they’re precocious).

Oops just seen you’ve made a choice. Going to post anyway for the next person looking!

dreichuplands · 30/04/2019 15:14

I have heard the bullying at Bootham mentioned before on Mumsnet. I know two very different families who attend Bootham who have both recommended it.
You probably need to look round your options and see which school best fits your personal ethos and your dc's personality best.

FreeFreesia · 30/04/2019 15:38

Looks like there has been a new head, new deputy head and new post of director of boarding and well-being in last couple of years, and a renewed emphasis on safeguarding & anti-bullying. quakersinyorkshire.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/QiY-Oct-2018-Reports-from-Bootham.pdf

Danniotley · 30/04/2019 15:43

Try looking at Cundall Manor. Lovely school.

Original poster
Upsydaisymummy · 30/04/2019 16:30

Thanks newby comments, I thought I'd made my mind up but there was just something not sitting quite right with Bootham so I'm not 100% convinced. I appreciate that it's very early days but I'm wanting to move to York ASAP. So the school must come first.
Pocklington sounds great but it's towny and I want to be surrounded by City life and have lots of things on the doorstep that my DD can do as she gets older (non of this oh I'm bored nothing to do malarkey)
I'm going to see both schools to help make the final decision I guess the best thing is hat they are next to each other so shouldn't affect the house location. Although trying to find one in a one mile radius is emm fun!

OP posts:
BigRedDoor · 30/04/2019 17:29

I think the comments about Bootham are unfair (vested interest alert: I have children there).

The search on MN shows that comments about bullying have been raised by one poster and these were a couple of years ago and themselves referenced past events.

There is a new head who’s in his second year at the school and a new deputy head and quite a few teachers moved on and changes were made with the new leadership.

OP the only way to tell if you like a school is to visit it - and make sure you meet the head too. And also, tbh, your dc is 1! and you can’t really know what school would suit them, though you can clearly make up your mind what school you wouldn’t like. Of course they might start at any of these schools age 3 but senior leaders change, fortunes change (especially for boarding schools) and by the time your dc is 11 your chosen school now may not be the place you hoped for. Leaving your options open is the best way to go.

Also I assume you mean Peters and Bootham being next to each other. You don’t need to live within a mile of either, plenty of dc get the bus or train in or walk in from Clifton for example.

helpmum2003 · 30/04/2019 17:35

I agree you need to visit them all but keep as many options open as possible in private and state as your child's needs may change or your financial situation may change.

2019yorkshirelass · 29/07/2019 22:11

If you only have girls to consider, then The Mount might be a possibility?
Cringing at the mention of St Olaves being precocious - considering for my DC and one go my biggest reservations is that cross from confident to arrogant..

Also, Saturday school. I thought only Olaves / Peters had this. Is that not the case? It's another thing putting me off, would be interested to hear what parents think of it

hotdog74 · 30/07/2019 09:14

The Mount is the only one that doesn't have Saturday school in the senior school as far as I am aware. One of the big reasons we chose it for our DD. For girls it really is a wonderful environment to grow up in.

MaryBerrysBomberJacket · 30/07/2019 10:42

I have taught and lived in York for over a decade, however moved away last year. I few bits from my experience.....

Bootham by far is the best private and I visited several trainee teachers there. I'm an atheist but was happy with the Quaker approach. I have friends who happily send their kids. The Mount would also be fine for just girls. St Peter's is very pretentious and I had difficulty relating to any of the students that I have met from there. As a teacher I'd avoid Fulford; again I have had friends complain about the turn around of staff (as parents and teachers).

Consider the traffic in York! If I ever had to cross the city between 3pm and 6pm it could take over an hour to do 2 miles.

hodgeheg1 · 31/07/2019 19:04

Mary Berry's Jacket 😂Can i ask why you'd avoid Fulford?

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