Hollygirt School

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We are thinking of sending DD to Hollygirt school (primary section) - does anyone know the school or anything about it? Seems great but would appreciate any insight from other parents! TIA

In Nottingham? TBH the people I know who have used it have done so because their DDs would not do well at NGHS. It has a reputation as a gentle sort of school.

Thanks Marialuisa - yes, in Nottingham. I have sort of sussed that it's less academic than NGHS as they do seem to take girls of all abilities - or so they say - but when I looked round it did seem very academic still, hence my confusion!!

From my own experience of a less selective school in the area, I think that sort of school does get very good results from the kids but they work them hard and have smaller groups to do so. I put DD in a gentle sort of school because I couldn't get my head around entry tests for 4 year olds but moved her in Y3 to the sort of school that politely suggests that your child might be happier elsewhere if they think they might not "make the grade" at 11+. DD now gets far less homework and spends far more time on sport, art etc. than she did at the "gentle" school. Her first school was excellent for shy, quirky kids many of whom would drown in her current school (and some of the local primaries) though. So, I guess it depends on your DD. You could always reconsider later on, private school entry not quite the bunfight round herethat it is elsewhere in the country.

Thanks Maria that makes a lot of sense - did your DD mind the transition at year 3? Mine would be going in Y5 and I'm concerned about how she'd fit in/cope with leaving her old friends

No, she started part way through the year and settled really quickly despite going from a year group of 14 to a year group of 80! She vaguely keeps in touch with a couple of friends from her old school and gets party invites. The change was very much led by DD, speaking to a couple of parents who have moved children from schools because of moving or whatever it seems to have taken longer, but all ok by first half-term. I think the schools are used to children coming and going at unusual times and manage it well.

not got any advice, but when i was a child, i always wanted to go there! it had a great reputation.

thanks Nickel that's really encouraging!!!

Ooh Maria I'm v curious about which school you moved to! Am assuming it may be TC or NGHS?

no, neither old school nor new school are in notts. I work here and looked at both those though!

It does have a very good reputation in a 'Hollygirt girls are lovely' sort of way

Thanks gingertoo - they did seem lovely but I worry about the all-girls thing....DS is at an all-boys school but with a girls school next door (different one) so there's loads of joint social things