Private Schools in Derbyshire - particular shout to MariaLuisa

[Orinoco]

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Hello, just seen this.

Yes, still very happy with the School. New head is completely different, not quite as "full on" as old head, but I really like her (and so do the kids). Primary head is good too, strict but with a sense of humour the children seem to appreciate. New girl in DD's class from another local school has settled really well.

I was shocked to see some of the stuff you wrote about SATS at your current school. It was a total non-event for us.

There's an open morning next Saturday (4th) if you fancy a look round. I'm not signed up for CAT but happy to answer any questions.

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ok Y3 is DD's year group and I can honestly say it's a lovely bunch of girls (and mums!). There's only 1 class with 15 ( down to 14 at end of term, financial probs in family not a prob. with the school). Y3 are still in the infants building but have diff teachers for science, pe etc. and go to the Y$ and up playground at lunchtimes so a more gradual transition. I'd say homework is light and no probs if it's missed occasionally because too tired/busy/whatever. Tends to be a maths worksheet, bit of colouring for French, sentences for spelling are the most complained about I think!

SATS were barely mentioned, they have spelling tests, mental maths etc. anyway so no different. No papers sent home, no additional homework or classes, DD only knew because one mother (!) went on about them. They make it very clear that they will not push for 3s as they don't see the point.

Vital Y3 info...you can wear a black leotard for PE/dance instead of the foul shorts on the list! The girls all do. Red or grey socks equally acceptable. Lots of role play games in the playground, there was a tree climbing phase (which might put you off!) and generally quite girly I think (Hello Kitty, Sylvanians etc.) I would say that pastoral care is a strength of the school, DD is friendly with lots of girls from other year groups and the staff are very caring. DD's class teacher is early 30s and has 2 girls in the primary dept.

DD is quite bright and they handle her very well and very much work with us and take our views on board. I hear they are similarly good if kids are struggling. Can't imagine anyone slipping through their net.

Y1 is a big year group, think 2 classes of 14? DD has been taught by both the teachers and she adored both. I found them both great too.

School is open from 8am (free), I think official bell is 8.40 ish. Y1 finsih at 3.25 and Y3 3.35. There is free aftercare (TV) until 4pm and then pauid aftercare until 6. DD is usually in "tea time" at least twice a week. They get sandwich, do their homework and play.

ok, mammoth post, will check back later and pump DD for info!

Have had a chat with DD who says that they played zoos and ponies today (although ponies turned into tag) in the playground. Don't know how I forgot but they take their own pencil cases in Y3 (mainly "cute" things or HSM on them) and can have trainers instead of daps for PE (these things are apparently very important!). DD has seems to think that there's always someone to play with but you have to take turns choosing games (very earnest). Wednesday vegetarian lunches are yuck (DD hates mushrooms) but there are baked pots or cobs.

In an attempt to balance my overwhelmingly positive views, downsides which may or may not be an issue for you:
No inter-school competitive sport in primary; definitely a girls' school; small school; mixed ability so results fluctuate; pupils from a wide area; quite "fluffy" and informal. There are the usual mutterings at the school gate but IME the things people get exercised about (no sweets for snack; ridiculous shorts) are not really that dreadful. I've found that teachers are good at feeding back if you talk to them about any issues.

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Uniform is pricey if bought new but does last and most people make good use of the secondhand shop e.g. pinafore new is £35 but usually £10 in secondhand shop, coat is £70 new but got DD one for £12 secondhand. DD's first school coat lasted from nursery to Y2 as did the PE kit.

Lunches are about £180 a term. Costs of trips vary but are usually under £20 and usually 1 trip per term. Don't really have any equipment except the pencil case, school provide tennis rackets and so on. They'd need a recorder (despite what it says on the list any recorder is fine)and if they wanted other music lessons you'd have to pay for hire/buying an instrument although they usually find a "spare" for the first term (or year in DD's case).

They include PTA subs and insurance on the bill but these are optional. We don't pay for either. I've got no idea about bursaries, I know they do scholarships at senior level. There's a small sibling discount and another discount if you pay for the whole year upfront. Staff get reduced fees as well (if you can turn your hand to teaching!).

Hope you manage to get something sorted, typing all this has made me appreciate just how well everything is going for DD. I can't imagine how i'd feel if she were unhappy at school. Do you have any other state options near you for primary level? There seems to be a number of families that use St Thomas RC for example.

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More probs? that doesn't sound good, poor you. I guess you must have done the primary trawl before DD1 started school anyway?

If you see a harrassed woman nicking all the biscuits it will be me! DD's year group seem to be "doing things" from 11ish until lunchtime.
Hope I've not built it up too much

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I can assure you that the standard of living is decidedly average! Most common holiday destinations are camping/caravan in the UK, no-one in Y3 with a pony. Kids' clothes tend to be by that well-known designer George at Asda, cars are run of the mill.

There are people with money, but I can't think of anyone who's "in your face", nothing to feel uncomfortable about.

Hope it all works out.

Just bumping this in case Orinoco sees it....

If you decide to go ahead after Saturday and wanted to meet up let me know. Thought it might help your DD if there was a familiar face.

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DD2 is little though, she probably can't imagine anything else.

good luck, hope it gets resolved.

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No worries, it was chaos on Saturday, don't think the open days are the best way to get a feel for a school (any school) TBH.

Hope that everything gets sorted one way or another and you're all happier!

So you're pulling her out then? Where are you going? From your other post, I'm guessing either GH or NGH?

It is me, btw, I had to name change.

See, living in derbyshire I thought I'd help but this is too cryptic for me.

Sorry Scrooged, I was thinking about moving my dd's to a school which I know Marialuisa's daughter goes to - but I've just seen on another thread that she's moving her, and wondered whether she'd notice this thread.

Where in Derbyshire are you? Can I wave?

I'm in the city centre. ((waves back))

small world! I must drive somewhere near to you on my way to work everyday! We're out near jn 26 but I work at the Uni.

ML's daughter went to the school beginning with O but I'm trying to work out where she's moving her to.