Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Local

Find conversations happening in your area in our local chat rooms.

Original poster

stephen perse independent school

15 replies

Pam888 · 03/01/2011 18:30

Hi all

am considering sending out toddler (when he's 3 next year) to their nursery for a few days just so he gets familiar with a school environment (yes i know, mum with an over active "discipline" chip on shoulder Blush) does anyone have any experience with this nursery at all? any comments would be appreciated. cheers xxx

OP posts:
Lilymaid · 03/01/2011 18:40

It used to be the Madingley Pre-Prep until it was taken on by Stephen Perse Foundation (which has developed from Perse Girls). It's a pre-prep rather than a nursery and I'd imagine that it would be academically focussed - pupils then progressing on to Cambridge prep schools.

Original poster
Pam888 · 12/01/2011 14:03

thanks lilymaid. I think i would still consider it as i want more of a school environment - do you know if its any good? (academically or generally?)

OP posts:
Lilymaid · 12/01/2011 14:05

Pam - I don't know, but would doubt that any school that was under the aegis of Perse Girls/Stephen Perse would be anything other than academic!

Original poster
Pam888 · 12/01/2011 16:57

understood :)

thanks lilymaid

OP posts:
besty42 · 08/11/2011 23:50

Not sure where you live but as well as Madingley I'd try The Phoenix School Willingham (which was St Colettes) especially for a 3 year old. Their early years got an outstanding from OFSTED in March and my son has been there for 3 years (both St Colettes and as the Phoenix and absolutely adores it and will probably continue into their first Prep year next year). They balance a loving ethos with academic nuturing and have an undisputed educational track record. We were offered a place at Madingley last year when St Colettes initially announced its closure but declined and decided to join the parents and teachers in re-opening St Colettes as The Phoenix - keeping the entire staff together in the process. We (and other parents) were personally a little concerned that as Stephen Perse Foundation is mainly a fantastic Girls educational facility (probably the best we've ever come across) they would not be right for our son, but of course this is a personal opinion. See www.thephoenixschool.co.uk to find out more. :)

camgirl · 23/11/2011 10:25

My child is currently at the school. We absolutely love it. Yes, it is academic, but as it feeds into the city prep schools it needs to be. It is also very, very caring, supportive, encouraging and fun! It's also very small, so all the children are treated as individuals, and teachers really get to know them, their personalities, strengths and weaknesses. The after school clubs are also very good and popular.

Hope this helps a bit..

camgirl · 23/11/2011 10:26

Just to add, there are equal numbers of boys and girls in our class which works very well for both.

JumpJockey · 23/11/2011 10:38

May I hijack briefly since there are knowledgeable people about?! Blush

W're hoping to send our dd's to St Mary's senior. Does anyone have girls there? Is it basically essential to have sent your child to a prep (rather than primary) if you want them to get into one of the private schools in Cambridge? We're not thinking of the Perse (too academic) or Leys (too expensive!) so it would be St Mary's or none really, but we'd like them to go to a mixed primary which being Catholic means St Alban's.

Basically, if we don't send them to private prep, are they unlikely to get into St Mary's? Thanks for any thoughts...

JumpJockey · 23/11/2011 10:39

Ah, i see there were actually most people about in January (double Blush) [fails entrance exams]

Lancelottie · 24/11/2011 08:55

I'm no expert (not even in the private school market) but have seen several of my daughter's friends from her state primary go to St Mary's at 9 and again at 11 (much to DD's disgust -- 'Why can't we be Catholic and rich too so I don't have to go to school with Travis any longerrrrrrr?').

An0therName · 24/11/2011 10:03

I am no expert really can't imagine that its essential to send your kids to prep to get in at 11 - there are quite a few threads on this in general on the education section and that was the conclusion - state education is pretty good in cambridge so provided you are happy with the primary school I am sure its fine t - nearer the time you could look at what the requirments are and if you think your DD has any issues look at a bit of tutoring

if22 · 08/07/2014 23:51

Hello there,

I am aware that this thread was created some time back. I am about to make a decision of starting my little girl in Yr 3 and would like to know comments from you or anyone there about the school. I feel very uncertain as it is a big decision.

JennyWren1234 · 09/07/2014 17:30

My DD is at the senior school. We are very happy with the school. I have heard good reports about the junior school too, but have no first hand experience.

Why not arrange to visit again and discuss your concerns with the head.

if22 · 09/07/2014 17:52

Hi JennyWren,

I thought of pasting details of my concern that I had posted on another link:

I am a very confused mum whether or not to send my daughter to the Stephen Perse. She has been offered a place in Year 3 coming year. I am concerned about the limited space within the classroom to accommodate 20 children.

The thought of dropping and picking from middle of city centre is yet another concern. I will be driving and not using the minibus service. The school she attends currently is quite spacious and has a lot of green around. I am happy with the teachers as well, however I'm aware that the standards could be higher in the independent sector.

My son who is 14 years old now, had not made it to 'The Perse' for his year 7 and Year 9 entrance, which got me anxious to prepare my daughter earlier.

Please could somebody advise me if there is anyone having concerns about the space in the classrooms at the Stephen Perse.

My DD is quite a bright child and having received the end of year report today I am quite happy with her progress. She has attained a Level 3 in most assessment results - Maths and English which is above the national average and a level 2 in 2 of the science assessments.

Please advice as I have to make up my mind as soon as possible!!!!

Did your DD do her primary in a state or Private School? Any comments on State Vs Pvt?

Thanks

npa30 · 16/08/2014 23:27

if22, my daughter is in the preprep so cannot offer direct advice about the junior school however we LOVE the place. There is going to be an issue about space but I have a feeling at some point there will be a new site added since they are also now co-ed so are expanding.
The transport is an issue since parking and traffic is already bad and when they remove the parking bays on trumpington road (alongside botanic gardents) - which the council wants to turn into a cycle path - the whole thing will become another level of hell. With 3 independent schools in that vicinity it is going to be tricky.
Having said that, we would not send our daughter elsewhere. She is happy, settled and doing really well for her age. The teachers are wonderful and the atmosphere is really friendly

New posts on this thread. Refresh page