East Dorset Schools

[Blushbaby]

Hi
Does anyone have any advice on East Dorset Schools? We are living near Ringwood but outside the catchment for the state schools there. We have looked at a couple of independents - Talbot Heath and Dumpton, but none of the state schools. Ultimately I would prefer my daughter to go to an all-girls school at 11 or 13, which means Bournemouth School for Girls (grammar) or Talbot Heath (independent). Any views on these or others I should consider?

We will have tp do coffee I am about to move again in a few weeks. Had a lovely day today as it was open gardens in Blandford. Lots of inspiration.

Am emailing you.

DD2 is in Y10 at BSG - didn't want to go and hasn't been desperately happy or unhappy, just "meh" as she would say! However, I do feel the journey has had an impact on health (we're in the New Forest) and I regret the fact that it's girls only. Academically it is superb but the distance has meant she hasn't been able to do much in the way of after school clubs. School were extremely supportive when she was very ill for a term and I have the impression it is very efficiently run, both on teaching and admin side.

She hasn't seemed under any pressure and doesn't get much homework. Behaviour at school is not always fantastic and there is a lot of bitchiness. Not a perfect school but I think it was the best choice for her.

Have many friends with daughters at TH - seems quite similar to BSG.

Highcliffe and Ringwood both have excellent reputations but are over-subscribed.

Was going to recommend Ringwood,my dd is there but didn't realise it was over subscribed.

I have a friend who taught at BSG and because of the bitchy intense environment didn't get her very clever dd's to even try to get in.

Ggirl - that makes me so sad but I don't doubt the truth in it, having been to a similar school. Wish there had been a mixed grammar school for DD1 - envy you Ringwood School(and the new Kew shop )

boden-in case your dd is interested ringwood 6th form takes a lot of kids from various local indies and grammers ,they are increasing the intake size I think.

Thanks, I'll tell her as we have to start looking in the autumn. She definitely won't be staying at BSG!

I would have a look Boden tbh, different children thrive in different environments.

I know someone who has a dd at BGS and as I said she is happy, she did want to come to where I teach but it is obviously too far but she is still happpy.

I have heard negative and positive

Hello - can anyone please help. My daughter is about to turn 3 years old. I live in Poole and work in Bournemouth. I am considering Talbot Heath, Castle Court and Dumptons pre-prep schools. My main concern at this age is that she is happy, has fun, learns her manners, speaks nicely and all learning is good fun. I think discipline is very important but in an age appropriate manner. Also, I would like there to be lots of fun outdoor games and learning.

Does anyone have any advice to help me with this tough decision? I am new to the area and am not too familiar with any of the schools - so please do let me know if I should be considering any others. I am mindful that she is only 3 and school is tiring so I have to also consider the travel time to and from school.

East dorset primary school are there any mums with children at st catherines rc colehill wimborne that can help/tell me what the school is like. I am not familiar with the area so any advice please, is it nice are the children happy and enjoy school do they do lots of fun things ect. I have 5yr old who would join existing reception in summer term and 3yr old would start kindergarten. Anyone that can help with there views would be really appreciated, thanks.

Just found your MumBe whilst looking for posts on other things. I looked at St Catherine's years ago for DD and didn't like the Head at all. She left a couple of years ago and apparently there were issues with her. Seems fine now but the mothers are very cliquey I have heard and was hearing of someone who had such a hard time at the gates she took her children out and went to Dumpton. Know two people with a child in same year as my DS. One likes it, other doesn't. Do have to say that there is rather an attitude from some of mothers. The school is just down the road from another and finish times are staggered. Obviously St Catherines generates a lot of traffic as wide catchment. They need to go before other school parents can park and they are quite frankly an utter nightmare, do not appear to grasp concept that I'd driving down the road with cars parked on your side then you need to give way. One was was trying to get two cars to drive up on the pavement intend if reversing a foot, having gone when she should have given way (sorry, slight rant!). A couple of children at the Kindergarten came to DS's school, the mother of one works at the Kindergarten there do make of that what you will.

General area has lots of schools and the overwhelming majority of local children go to the two local first schools then onto Middle school and you very rarely see St Catherine's uniforms walking locally, most seem to come from outside area.

Personally having experience of both the local first schools , I recommend visiting the school down the road from St Catherine's who has a truly outstanding Head and now loads of people from outside catchment apply. For Nursery, the Barn is superb which you probably won't have heard of unless you are local as they never advertise as they don't need to.

Hope that helps a bit

Thanks WynkenBlynkenandNod... thats useful to know. I went and looked at 3pm as they came out mums all looked nice enough and the children that were coming past us. Its so difficult !!! do you know what areas they come from to go there? Is the nursery teacher's child catholic or not I think the school is quite religious. Can you enlarge on the two children.. what dont they like about the school and do you know if any bullying is going on are the children nice to each other kind ect. any info would be really helpful as dont want to make wrong choice of school! I want dd to go into a school where she will make nice friendships as at present school shes not happy so this is very important to me. thanks

Hi. I am moving to Poole in the summer and am currently looking for a prep school for my 10 year old. We are considering Castle Court and also Dumpton. Does anyone have any views on these schools? Thanks.