Does anyone know anything about Ashville College or Brackenfield School, Harrogate?

[nellyraggbagg]

We are thinking of moving to Harrogate, but don't know much about the schools. DS (5)- a v clever and sensitive flower with obsessive tendencies - is currently at private prep school in a tiny class. DD - a merry little soul - will start in Reception next year. We are not desperately well off, and would feel a bit out of place with yummy mummies(scruffy is my natural state). Does anyone have any experience of either school, either first-hand or anecdotally? I would love to hear it!

Hi, don't have any first hand experience of either school, however Brackenfield is the sister school to my daughters Prep school in Hastings (Claremont Prep School). I think if you look on the Brackenfield site you will see the link somewhere to our school. It is run and owned by the same person and if it is along the same lines as Claremont, then I would recommend it.

I have friends at both sets of schools having recently moved south from Harrogate. I can ask those friends very speicifc questions if you like. Brackenfield has much smaller classes. Ashville has a good reputation in the infants but less good for juniors. Very yummy mummies at Ashville, many 4 wheel drivers there too. I know the previous and founding head of Brackenfield and she is just lovely. My only question is why go private in Harrogate when there are stonkingly good state primaries there full of really nice and scruffy but very well-educated mummies? (umm come into that latter category myself).

Which part of Harrogate are you moving to by the way?

My son is in reception at Ashville and he loves it. The class sizes are very small, only 11 in his class and 16 in Year One classes. I understand the Junior school used to not be that great but they've got a new head who is going great guns there. That said, I've also got friends with kids at Brackenfield and they rate it highly too - i think both are worth a visit and it also depends which side of Harrogate you live as to which is more convenient.

Re the yummy mummy comment - I'd say its half and half at Ashville, its just people notice the four by fours and not the normal cars!! Good luck with your choice

OP I have been thinking of moving to Harrogate and was looking at Brackenfield too. So will be watching this thread with interest. I have noticed on their website that quite a number of children go onto Harrogate Grammar (a state comprehensive school), which would also tie in with our plan. Please let us know if you find out more!