Kings Bruton or Warminster?

[mazzamoo123]

Hi there, I’m thinking of moving to Wiltshire. We’re looking for an independent senior school - ideally mainly day as our kids would be day but if there is boarding, that’s ok. We just definitely don’t want Saturday school! Obviously they may have sport but just no lessons please!

Do King’s Bruton and Warminster fit the bill? Does anyone have any thoughts? And are there any good state schools in the area too? Thanks :)

I don't have DCs at King's, but DS is at Hazlegrove Prep, which is part of the King's Bruton Foundation. The two schools are run independently but have very close links. Hazlegrove has Saturday school (lessons in the morning, matches in the afternoon) and I would be surprised if the senior school doesn't if the prep school does.

I can't help with Warminster, but lessons on Saturday mornings is pretty common, especially from Year 9.

I wouldn't write Saturday school off unless it is a logistical impossibility. DS is a full boarder, but there are lots of day pupils that choose to flexi-board on Friday nights. I think the mums and dads enjoy having Friday night off, a lay-in on Saturday and arrive at matches looking very relaxed after a nice lunch. The kids love it too - a massive sleepover once a week with all their friends, access to the school sports facilities and no parents (the House Parents are much more fun and on those nights the grad student assistants are effectively big brothers and sisters paid to organise games and movies)! Everyone's a winner! 😁⚽🏑🎱🎮🎥🛌😴😴😴

Salisbury has two very good grammar schools that might be worth considering and you might like Dauntsey’s, which fits the criteria (I think).

If you want Independent I would suggest Dauntseys. Good all rounder and lots of day pupils.
My kids are at the Salisbury grammars and we’re delighted with them but it’s hard to get in after Year 7.

My son is at King's and a good proportion are day they do have school on a Saturday alongside Sport in the afternoon. Great school but has been oversubscribed in the last year. I have visited Dauntseys and thought the campus impressive. We chose Kings as it is a small school and had a good feel about it. How about Sexeys? State boarding also in Bruton.

Warminster doesn't have Saturday school, Dauntsey does although I think it is predominantly the PE - both have a good mix of day and boarding and flexi boarding.
What years are your children as both a pretty full higher up the school at the moment as far as I know.