Anyone on here have kids at Pocklington School?

[Yk19]

I would be grateful for feedback and advice on this School. Many thanks. X

Always has a nice feel when DS goes there for matches. Know a few families with children there and all seem happy. Friend's DS did surprisingly well at A level. Supportive of dyslexics. New head so suppose he will be in throes of making his mark. I discounted it for DS as didn't want Saturday morning lessons but no major concerns.

It is a very down to earth, genuinely caring and lovely school. My advice would be to take a look for yourself and see how it feels for you and your children. There's an open day coming up in June or just call them for a visit. The sixth formers give the tours so you can ask them anything and get an honest answer.

Thanks all. We have looked round St Olaves, Bootham and Pock and are trying to decide. We are in catchment for Fulford too so spoilt for choice! Want to hear it from people with 'inside experience' so this is helpful. Only thing that worries me with Pock is it doesn't quite get the grades of the other local private schools but sportswise and pastoral care-wise it looks good.

Pock takes a more mixed ability intake which obviously impacts the grade profile. Of all the schools I visited it was the one I felt focused on each child as an individual the most. I've come across the head of games a bit through DS going to his sport courses, he has a great way with the children.

Yes because Pock isn't as selective as others the overall grades will mirror that. I suppose it depends on what's most important to you. I think a lot of people choose schools on grades and that's not necessarily the main thing to look for. Pock is also great for music, CCF, drama, and has an excellent new art and design technology dept if your kids are creative types. They do say that in the future creativity is going to be one of the most sought after skills in the workplace.

Where do you live? Pock is easier to get to on Saturdays. My DD was at Bootham and it sometimes took an hour to get out of York on Saturday afternoons. I have lots of family who did very well at Pock too.

The best thing to do is to go round all the schools at least twice, work out the logistics for getting to each school and then decide which one you and DCs prefer. PM me if you’d like more info.

Thanks all x

Sorry to jump on your post but I'm in the same boat.
I went to view Bootham open day and was very impressed I wanted to go there myself.
I also viewed At Peters unfortunately I just didn't have the same connection and couldn't see my daughter at that school
The only thing with Bootham is the lack of housing in close proximity to both the junior school, secondary school and walking distance to the city centre which has now made me think about Pocklington school.
@Gingerlilly please could you advise when the open day is? Thanks.

@Upsydaisymummy
Don't know about Pocklington I'm afraid.
My DS is joining Bootham Y7 in Sep.
We had the same 'feel' about Bootham over St Peters. Just dropped off at a transition morning today and we get the same feel - very welcoming.

You'd be able to walk to Pocklington school if you lived in Pock, but then you wouldn't be in 'town' - depends also where you/DH are working.

I'd be looking for the right school then see if the housing/commuting can work for you.
There are plenty of nice villages around York, some with buses into the centre for the schools.

There is obviously plenty of housing around Bootham but I'm going to hazard a guess, from your comment, that you're looking for something of a certain price/style?!

@stubiff thanks for your reply.
My husband and I have our own business and work from home so getting to work isn't an issue. Having lived in rural and island life for the past 10 years would love to experience city life and have everything on the doorstep.
I think I am being unrealistic in regards to housing the houses I've seen so far are lovely in terms of decoration and move straight in and live but I just couldn't see myself living in them. I'm used quite big houses with lots of outdoor space and garages I'm not too sure about fighting for a parking space although I've got a couple of viewings booked later in the week so hopefully I'll find the one. I really love Bootham School, I think my daughter will thrive and be happy there so I have to agree the school must come first my daughter's happiness and education is of a far higher priority than worrying about someone "stealing" my parking space.

@Upsydaisymummy
Message me if you want and I may be able to help with areas.

Not sure if you’ve made up your mind yet but having looked at ALL the various schools in the York area and many beyond (we moved to Yorkshire so could be flexible about where we moved to) I can say we simply fell in love with Bootham and we haven’t been disappointed. It is nurturing and inspiring. Communication with parents is excellent and most importantly the children are fabulous adverts. They are passionate, interesting, compassionate and polite. There are lots of excellent schools in the region but nowhere else came close for us. We aren’t Quakers but the Quaker ethos is a fabulous grounding for a well rounded education. Make sure you go and look round. On the website alone we preferred St Peters.

Hi Yk19, I know this thread is a bit old. But which school have you decided on? How are you finding it now? Any feedback is really appreciated as we are trying to make a decision between Pock and St.Peters and it’s so hard! Is commute to York worth the opportunities they seem to offer?

I think they are quite different schools. Pock not having Saturday school from next year and generally has kids from a geographically large catchment area (so expect a lot of ferrying around!). Get the impression they have to work quite hard at St Peter’s whereas Pock doesn’t seem particularly pressurised.

Hi there. Sorry @Natusiks98 just seen this. We went for Pock. I cannot bad mouth St Peters as I know people who send their kids their and love it but we just felt Pock was a better fit for us. Our children are very sporty and one is incredibly academic. The other is bright but got the impression that St Peters might be too pressured....and frankly the commute to central York put us off!

I would highly recommend Pocklington based on experience so far.