Independent schools?

[thegrowlygus]

OK. We were hoping to send DS1 (age 3, starts school sept 09) to the local state school - however, they are building a new one so we aren't really sure what it will be like (or indeed if it will exist but that is a whole other thread!).

So my thoughts were that we would let him go there but then send him to somewhere private if it all went pear shaped. It only recently dawned on me that I should really be looking at the private schools round here pretty damned quickly (indeed I suspect that I have already missed the Perse admissions procedure do-da).

So - anyone any thoughts? I have heard good things about St Johns from a current parent there. But what about St Faith's? and the Perse? And I have only just come across Sancton Wood and St Colette's.

Or have we left this far too late and should've had his name down since I was pregnant?!!

I visited Kings yesterday and have to say I wasn't overly impressed - I emphasised when I met the head that I was looking to move dd because of the pastoral side - she is so very timid and needs some nurturing, and I just don' think her state school has the time to do that. He and the registrar proceeded to try to sell me the school based on the academic achievements and the facilities. Now if I thought that learning Mandarin, having 9 years olds playing with bunsen burners and 2 hours of music a day was an essential part of education I'd have had her down from birth, but that wasn't what I was there for, and every question I asked about the pastoral side was answered very dissmissively - "Oh yes, we have a house system, now look at the state of the art language lab"

I will contact St Faiths again Cazzy.

DS will be 3 in Dec and I have put his name down for both Pelican and St.Faiths. Titanium, whereabout are you? I live in Girton and work fulltime. Could we share childcare if our DS-s get in Pelican?

I hear St Colettes is moving to Girton. What is the school like?

Was talking to someone at work yesterday who suggested we go look at St Colette's as she has friend's who have children there and love it. But that is about as much as I know!!

Oh god I am going to be easy to recognise...but I have a daughter who is at St. coletes.although she is not going to be staying..I can't do the whole Girton thing. It is very pushy..reading, writing etc. it is not for every child.

Hi Jingle, we are in Cherry Hinton. If your DS is 3 in Dec so he'd be in the elder class and mine should be in the younger class. Cat me and we might be able to work out a plan.

A friend of mine sent his children to St. Coleette's and seemed very happy, but his was years ago.

Another one here interested in talking to anyone looking to share childcare next year for Pelican nursery-goers. We are considering it for DS2, assuming he can get it - DS1 goes there now and has absolutely loved it. But the nursery year schedule + my job = just about impossible (am outing myself here)...he would be in older group so 3 mornings, 2 afternoons. anyone likely to have a similar schedule, let me know.

for those looking at St. Colette's, btw, ds2 is doing nursery there now and it's great. Very diff. atmosphere from Pelican, at least from what I have seen so far - definitely more relaxed, though both are lovely places really geared to the very small. Would consider keeping him there for sure if it weren't moving to Girton. I think they are going to lose a lot of students and some teachers as well, it's a shame.

So cazzy - did you see me today! every teacher I was introduced to I was thinking "is that cazzy"

I was quite impressed. Does the head have a speech issue or just a sore throat? His voice seemed to keep breaking!

My only concern, and I know this sounds silly, is that girls have to wear skirts. DD doesn't own a skirt, and I think would have real problems wearing one - she hates being a girl. And I just think that if the school insists on differentiating between girls and boys in uniform, then it may differentiate in other ways as well (all sports are separate as well aren't they) and that is not the best place for my tomboy to be.

no....I didn't meet any parents today...

the head is like that I think it is nerves

pastrol side is fab

I know lots of Tomboys who confirm to skirts...it is the traditonal prep school...

I think the perse girls can wear trousers.

My dd will be in Year 3 next year at St. Faith's...they are a lovely year group

I have 4 children. Eldest son went to Mayfield Primary, Chesterton, Long Rd, Eldest daughter went to Mayfield, then Perse Girls. Step son went to St Johns, then Uppingham. Baby daughter is in creche. There is no doubt in my mind where this mum with 20 years parenting experience and 3 other kids through Cambridge schools will send her next baby. Mayfield primary. I like my child to be able to walk to school, to have friends nearby, and all primaries in Cambridge are stuffed with children of lecturers, visiting academics and research fellows.

Titanium, if you are around could you get reply to this please.

Bit of an update.
DS1 has a place we have accepted at St John's. Very pleased.

Just had letter this morning to say we got our first choice state school (i.e. not the new one in cambourne). We have never been 'lucky' in our lives, and given that our reasons for him going to this primary were non-existant and he is outside catchment I am surprised he got in there. That's our luck used up for good. Won

So. I am happy that he is going to St John's - just a bit 'meh' that I can't say "well thank goodness he is going there!" rather than thinking of all the lovely holidays/big houses/nice meals out we could have spent the school fees on if he was going to the state school.

Oh - sorry - dunno what that random "won" is about at the end of the second paragraph. Think I was going to put "won't" but didn't get that far!