Sheffield independent schools

[Toomanypuddings]

Hi,

I have two boys- one coming up to reception age and one younger. We live just outside of Sheffield. Can anyone advise on the differences -pros/cons of Mylnhurst vs Birkdale? DS is very bright but quite sensitive so I don’t want him to be crushed by somewhere too pushy but I would like him to reach his potential.

Mylnhurst and Birkdale are both mixed now- is Mylnhurst less academic?

Honestly? Neither are that special.

Have you had children at either of them?

No, I have friends who work at both.

It’s hard to interpret that without more information to be honest as a teacher’s perspective is likely different to a child’s / parents.

We're a little further out but at mixed Barlborough Hall, feeder for mixed St Marys. Its been amazing for my eldest (7yrs now, been there since 4) and youngest (5yrs now, been there since 3).
Friendly, supportive and have managed to steer both mine through settling into school and lockdown. Great mix of religions, atheists, backgrounds etc - Teslas and Micras jostle happily in the car park. :)
My eldest sounds similar to yours and my youngest is the direct opposite - the same teachers have adapted teaching styles to each and done really well with both!

That sounds perfect @Happyclownjuggling

The only thing is we work in the other side of Sheffield so it would be difficult to do drop off and pick ups. Do you know anyone at the Sheffield schools by any chance?

@BarbarianMum

In what way do you mean neither are very special? Anything more specific?

When you look at prep schools, always look at destinations of pupils. What are you paying for and where do pupils go after they leave? If they go to local comps, what exactly are you paying for? If they go to run of the mill senior private schools is this what you envisage? What do parents expect these schools to deliver?

Do the schools have great sport facilities? What about art, drama and music? Are there well equipped classrooms and specialist teachers? Do any pupils get scholarships to senior schools of note?

What is it you want from a private school? A haven away from other dc? Pastoral care? The best academic education with all the extras? A specific senior school?

We took the view that mediocre was not good enough to get our money. We wanted a very good school with a proven track record academically and plenty of clubs and activities to keep DD engaged throughout the school. We didn’t want tiny classes. We didn’t want a school which was great in yr but very babyish in y6. We didn’t want a crammer for the local grammars but did want a broad curriculum and DD to find plenty of friends. Your list will be different but make one and measure your schools against it. I would always advise you consider value for money and expectation after prep school.

@PresentingPercy

I think most of the Sheffield ones would be classed as mediocre academically. Just after somewhere fairly academic but not an exam factory. I was hoping for more parental reviews but no such luck!

I guess the parental body of the schools isn’t very big! Do look at destinations though. Also in Sheffield, I know there are some really nice areas. What are the schools like in the best leafy areas? Would it be ok going to a state school there - if you live there and can get in of course?

S10 or S11 is where to be it seems for the better independent schools.

I have read the inspection reports and around 50% of mylnhurst students go on to state school and 50% local independent schools. Birkdale is a 4-18 school so imagine the vast majority would stay on.

Do you live in Sheffield? We are fairly new to it all.

We are trying and failing to move. Put ours into Westbourne starting sep. Next to Birkdale and feeds into it for 6th form. Seems OK. Very academic. Colleagues v happy with birkdale. Wanted to go for St anselms but too far out for work. So of you're that side look at it. Although we are starting to rethink moving north after trying to move for 2 years and finding it's more expensive and worse quality of life than the cotswolds. (Fairly outing so hope no one knows me!!) Plus schools here are better and cheaper. Starting to seem like too much effort and housing marker crazy for not great houses.
Good luck and maybe see you on the school run!!

It is crazy in Sheffield- property is surprisingly expensive! S anselms fees are a bit on the high side for us unfortunately. Also not great for the commute but would have considered it if the fees were more affordable. Did you consider mylnhurst? Can I ask why you went for Westbourne over Birkdale?

We went for Westbourne as better overall results plus eldest is a girl and Birkdale only just starting to take girls. Although they share alot of extra curricular teachers I think. (Sports / music etc). Headteacher came across very well - impression is he's experienced and runs a tight ship.
Didn't consider Mylnhurst as didn't know anyone with children there and not as convenient for commute.
So stressful choosing and pressure to get it right but remember kids bounce back. You only have to get it right by 11. X

Ah thanks. It’s so hard to pick without trying them out first! Hope your move goes well x

Mylnhurst is primary only. Birkdale is a through school and only recently started taking in girls lower down the school (sixth form has been coed for a while.) Westbourne doesn't have a sixth form and is coed - used to have more boys than girls though this may have balanced out a bit more since two of the girls schools closed.

Birkdale is always seen as the more academic of the three in my experience. Whilst Birkdale's results aren't always as high as the girls school nearby they are generally very good.

I have friends with boys at Birkdale who really rate it. It is academic but not really pushy, especially lower down the school. It can be very sporty but not to the detriment to the more academic and non-sporty children. It's a bit more pushy when you reach gcse years but not especially do. It does have an entrance exam for secondary but it's not overly selective.

It's a great location and has a lot of buses from all over the city and further afield, often shared with the girls school (Sheffield High.)

Dd went to Ashdell and then Sheffield High. We did look at Westbourne and Dd was offered a place for secondary but she preferred the high school. Interestingly a lot of girls from Westbourne moved from there to the high school towards the end of year 9.

I have friends who have children at high school, Westbourne and birkdale. I don't know anyone at Mylnhurst.

@Toomanypuddings

Ah thanks. It’s so hard to pick without trying them out first! Hope your move goes well x

Depending on child's age they will offer taster days/sessions and visits. Some of these have taken place at birkdale during Covid times - had a couple of children move to the school recently from my (state infant) school.

@Abraxan

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I did wonder whether Birkdale might be a bit sporty for my son, he’s not the most coordinated I would like him to go somewhere that encourages participation as well as success as it’s so important to enjoy being fit and active.

Do you know if the tasters have been before or after they have signed up? After is better than nothing but it’s still a huge commitment to make.

[quote Toomanypuddings]@Abraxan

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I did wonder whether Birkdale might be a bit sporty for my son, he’s not the most coordinated I would like him to go somewhere that encourages participation as well as success as it’s so important to enjoy being fit and active.

Do you know if the tasters have been before or after they have signed up? After is better than nothing but it’s still a huge commitment to make.[/quote]
The two children who I know of who moved recently went for tasters before handing over any money/contract. They went for another one after iirr.

Ah thanks. Do you know why they moved?

@Toomanypuddings

Ah thanks. Do you know why they moved?

They moved from state to independent for personal reasons iirr.

Loved Mylnhurst, my boys were there a number of years ago. My experience was that they were really good at being nurturing for a struggling child whilst at the same time being excellent at stretching a bright child. Plenty of sport (and sports day is pleasantly competitive), lovely music and drama too. Was sad to move away from Sheffield so my younger children haven’t gone there. It was like a lovely cocoon!

No experience of Birkdale as a paying customer, only of Birkdale boys when I was a teen. Made me very sure my sons would never go there. But my experience is long out of date, so maybe things have changed for the better. We moved so didn’t use a independent senior school in the area, although many Mylnhurst friends went on to Mount St Mary’s and seem to have been happy with it - easier to stick them on the bus for senior school!

But honestly, don’t rule out the state schools, have a good look - Sheffield had some excellent ones.

@Overthill

The state schools are fab but we will be moving there after the application dates so we would be reliant on waiting for a place, which I’m not keen on.

Your description of Mylnhurst sounds lovely. I did worry whether it was very academic so it’s good that they stretch the able children. I’m a bit put off by 50% of them going onto state school and 50% divided between other independent schools, which means DS would potentially be transferring without many friends. I’m not too keen on mount st Mary’s as it’s really out of the way for us.

Was your experience of Birkdale Boys from the point of view of a Girls High student? There is a fine line between the confidence that private schools seem to give their pupils and arrogance!

Oh and we aren’t catholic by the way. Do you think that would matter with mylnhurst?