Anyone familiar with Silverhill School, S Glos?

[clueless1976]

Just wondered if anyone knew anything about, or had any recent experience of, Silverhill School in South Gloucestershire? Will post in Primary threads too, as aware it's rather a long shot.

Any feedback appreciated!

My two DD's went to the nursery there. They were very happy there and I was happy with the solid start it gave them. My youngest left two years ago but the staff are still the same I know this beecause my friends DD goes there now. I would highly recommend the nursery but I am afraid I do not have any experience of the main school as mine left to attend reception at a lovely local state school when they finished nursey. The head teacher changed at the same time as mine left so I can not comment on the new one.

Thanks mamablue. Is your friend's DD in the nursery or main school part? I did know someone at toddler activity group in rl with two DCs there, and she was quite happy with it, but we stopped going to that activity about the time the head changed, and lost touch, so I'd be interested to know if things have changed.

You're right - there are some great state primary schools around here. Unfortunately, we didn't get the very lovely one we really wanted, and I'm increasingly unconvinced about the rather-more-mediocre one we did get. So just considering our options atm. Is all far too complicated

My friends DD is in the nursery so I can't help much regarding the main school. Do you mind saying which school you did not get a place at? My children go to a lovely local school and I know there are other 'good' schools in the area. I am sorry you did not get your 1st choice. The whole school places thing is so scary. I am dreading going through it all again for secondary school.

Hi - we're in Bradley Stoke and took a bit of a chance and applied for St M's 1st (it's actually our closest school), but didn't get in as not catholic. Knew it was a bit risky, but every other year since it opened everyone in our "category" got in, so thought would be OK. However a lot more people are giving it a go now, and according to the Council this year was a large intake generally.

Also, thought our best option would be to try faith schools as I go to church so get a few brownie points that way. We live in the middle of a triangle of really good schools, inc St Ms, but not close enough to any to guarantee getting in on distance alone. Two years before ds is due to go to secondary school, I think I'll pick which one we want and move next door !

Do you mind me asking where your DDs go? Don't know too many people in the area so apart from reading ofsteds etc it's really hard trying to weigh all the schools up...

I lived in Bradley Stoke when we applied for schools but the school we chose is in the Winterbourne area. There is nothing to stop you looking outside of Bradley Stoke. Have you looked at Frenchay, St. Michael's in Winterbourne, Elm park in Winterbourne or Hambrook? These are all lovely schools. I have since moved out of Bradley Stoke. I would have a look around these before thinking about private. I do know some of these schools are not full for September. Hope that is helpful (would rather not say on here where my dcs go to school - I'm sure you understand).

Thanks - tbh I didn't think about Winterbourne schools when we applied but they would be pretty easy to get to...I have spoken to Council re doing in effect a "late application" for some of the schools that aren't full for Sept, but they just keep saying I will have to wait until Sept and do it as an in-year transfer, am not allowed to change choices now...not sure I could cope with messing around with it all in Sept, would like to have some certainty on it all ASAP.

Ah well, back to the drawing board.

I'm sorry. It is so stressful isn't it? When I had to apply the second time for DD2 I was so worried that she would not get in with her sister. However, I do know that several of these schools have places for September. Have you tried contacting the schools directly it might be worth a try? School secretaries can be really helpful if you get them onside.

Best of Luck.

Also I know someone whose ds goes to M (opposite Tesco) and she says she despairs of him learing anything there.

The Head has apparantly been on sick leave for three years and certainly the standards I have seen on Open days are a year below my dcs school

BC and W are supposed to be OK

Hmmm. Yes I had read some "rumours" about the new principals when they took over (which was why I would be interested to hear from anyone who has any experience of the school since then, since it is so hard to decipher what is just rumour/exaggeration etc)...

think I might be best to stick with what we have, or like mamablue suggested try other state schools. Was not desparate for private education per se, in fact had not seriously considered it until got so stressed about things, so Silverhill was just an option as a seemingly good local school which wouldn't require me to try and fathom how or why anything operates through the Council.

clueless... my DCs went right through education at Silverhill from nursery to Y6 and they loved every minute. Admittedly, they left a few years ago but I am still in contact with people who go to the school and funnily enough bumped into one of the lovely teachers the other day who taught by DCs and she is still teaching there.

I know they have a new Head but I have never even heard a whiff of a rumour that it has been taken over by a cult! I have to say it was the most fantastic school for my kids but I do know things can change. But in its defence, I do know that a lot of the 'old' teachers are still there and I would be very very surprised at the cult thing!

upandunder - good to know same staff still there, I imagine if it really had changed for the worse, they would leave pretty swiftly.

springsunshine - interesting about M, have to say I have heard really mixed things about it. BC and W are supposed to be good but seem ridiculously oversubscribed (well, BC is at least) at the minute so would not hold out much hope there.

do you know anyone at, or anything about, HT (north part of same area)?

Thanks all! (told you I was clueless - why oh why didn't I post on here in AUGUST?!!)

Hi

I know very little about HT except my dd goes to Beavers there!!! I don't know anyone with children there, but have not heard anything bad about it.

The facilities seem OK but maybe not as good as M which is newer - we used to live very near M so know less about the schools further away.

Dh was rather scathing about the behaviour of some the children at beavers as they took time to settle down and do as they were told and were constantly chattering but I think that is just children not HT children!

My dd went here for a couple of years but altho the setting is fab there were other issues we were not happy with so have moved them to here which is just fabulous and I heartily recommend - it is easy for us as I work in town so drop them off on the way

Sorting schooling is such a nightmare isn't it? Hopefully mine are settled now for the duration ...

Hope you get somewhere you are happy with.

My child attends Silverhill school and is very happy there. In my opinion it is an excellent school.

A new headmistress and headmaster (Mr and Mrs Capper) took over the school two years ago. They previously had links with a religious organisation known as the School of Economic Science. However, Jennifer Capper had not taught in an SES school for 15 years before coming to Silverhill. Indeed her last job was at Godolphin & Latymer school which is one of the top girls schools in the country. She received a glowing report on her departure.

Since their arrival at the school the staff turnover has been incredibly low (as it always has been). Every member of staff I have spoken to has said how the changes introduced have been for the good. I would agree with that. The previous owners had let the fabric of the building decline and made little investment into some aspects of the school such as the school dinners. Both of these (amongst many other things) have vastly improved in the past two years.

No evidence exists of any so called "cult" influences.

I have investigated this quite extensively and am happy for my child to remain at this school. Some parents took immediate dislike at the alleged "cult" influences and immediately withdrew their children (as mentioned by other posts on this thread).

My advice would be for you to arrange a visit to the school and judge for yourself rather than base your decision on idle gossip.

By the way, if you'd like to visit in a more informal way, the school fete is this Saturday, 21 June, 11am to 3pm.