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Original poster

Any advice on local independent primaries?

27 replies

Jaq13 · 09/02/2010 23:03

Hi

After hearing back on the local state school we've been allocated through the local council admissions process we're now looking at local indpendent primaries as a backup plan for our DS who is due to start school this Sept.

Other than the schools' own website (not exactly unbiased!) it's proving tricky to get hold of info to help us compare them. Ones i'm considering so far are: Colstons, Torwood, St Ursulas, Gracefields

So, ANY feedback on these or any other local independents you know of would be v welcome to this stressed out mum!

OP posts:
exexpat · 10/02/2010 11:48

I vaguely know one or two people with children at St Ursula's who seem to be happy - quite an internationl mix, and although it is Catholic, I don't think all the children are. Torwood House is very small, which can be good or bad (small, family-feeling, but less choice of friends, resources etc). I don't know anyone who has used it recently except for school holiday clubs.

Clifton High junior (boys and girls) has a good reputation and I know lots of people who are very enthusiastic about it. Bristol Grammar has just opened Yr1 and Yr2, and I think is starting reception in September, so could be worth a look. The existing lower school (Yr3 and up) is very well thought of. Or depending which side of Bristol you are, and whether you would be prepared to travel, Fairfield in Backwell and the Downs School in Wraxall are also meant to be good.

Original poster
Jaq13 · 11/02/2010 20:00

thanks exexpat - we're in montpelier and i work out towards cribbs causeway so we're aiming to find something that side of town.

OP posts:
exexpat · 11/02/2010 21:43

BGS is probably your closest to home then, but the traffic round there gets quite snarled up in the mornings, so not very easy to drop and run. Colston's or St Ursula's might be easier in that respect. I can't think of anything more out towards Cribbs, though. But I saw your other post about primary schools - perhaps you'll strike lucky on the waiting lists...

bratnav · 11/02/2010 22:12

Lots of the girls at the DDs ballet class go to Clifton High and seem lovely, very happy. Don't have any other knowledge, sorry.

LilyBolero · 12/02/2010 21:26

Might be worth looking at St Bonaventures - I know in the past people have used that as a back up. It's not independent, but is Catholic.

exexpat · 16/02/2010 19:13

It looks like the situation at St Ursula's might be in flux over the next few years - did you see [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8518192.stm this news story?] If they become an academy, they might have to drop the juniors, and if they don't become an academy, it sounds like they are struggling and might have to close. Something to bear in mind...

exexpat · 16/02/2010 19:14

Sorry, did link wrong, it's here.

exexpat · 16/02/2010 19:15

Oh, and about St Bonaventures - I thought that was very oversubscribed too, and don't you have to apply at the same time as all the other primaries?

QueenofWhatever · 16/02/2010 20:22

Yes, St Bons is very oversubscribed. My sister's eldest DD goes there and she spent over a year on the waiting list for a place.

kitkatsforbreakfast · 18/02/2010 18:06

jaq If you phone the schools they should be able to send you prospectuses which might be a bit more informative than the websites, but really you need to go and visit the schools. You can often get an instant feel for a school and whether it's the sort of place your dc would be happy or not from the moment you step through the gates.

fwiw, my dc are at Clifton High and we are extremely pleased with it.

Original poster
Jaq13 · 18/02/2010 20:08

thanks exexpat, v useful - i'm visiting st u next week so can follow it up with the head teacher then.

OP posts:
rosebury · 20/02/2010 10:05

Colstons is a great school fantastic education standards very friendly open attitude towards parents and lots more but in general when you are looking at schools you must visit and get that personal feeling look at the pupils are they happy well behaved and good mannered. Look at the schools start and finish times after school clubs breakfast clubs etc soes it all fit in with your work sorry but I really could go on and on there is so much to say when considering the right school for your family. Gook luck with your search .

Runoutofideas · 23/02/2010 17:59

Hi Jaq,
Have you been to St U's yet? Just wondered what the head is saying to prospective parents regarding the possibility of turning in to an academy? I'm hoping this happens as it could sort out our secondary school issues.....
Also, I have friends with children at both Clifton High and Butcombe and they are all happy with their choices.

posieparker · 23/02/2010 18:13

Clifton high is a little more expensive than Torwood and Gracefields....Butcombe is a dreadful place.

Torwood is good and has lots of parents in a similar position to you as opposed to those who opt out of the State system from the off.

noktok · 23/02/2010 18:15

posie - can you say why Butcombe is a dreadful place? - My DD has her name down for a place but she's not there yet so I can change my mind if necessary!

posieparker · 23/02/2010 18:19

Have you met any of the parents? Those I have met are either old money and unfriendly or new money and brash and pretty thick. It's also full of military boarders(Clifton college)...if I was going to spend that sort of money I would be looking at the Downs.

itmustbebedtime · 23/02/2010 18:19

There are so many independent schools in Bristol - are there any tables comparing the fees?

itmustbebedtime · 23/02/2010 18:20

I haven't met any parents, I am worried now!

posieparker · 23/02/2010 19:55

Ah, I don't mean to put anyone off....I do loathe Clifton College, it's a very snobby place.

noktok · 23/02/2010 20:10

You can feel free to put me off, DD isn't there yet and the fees further up the school are terrifying! I had thought (could be wrong) that the secondary part of Clifton College was quite snobby, but the primary bit was fine. Also I thought the primary bit was reasonably priced compared to other schools in Bristol, although the secondary is very expensive and possibly not worth the money.

exexpat · 23/02/2010 22:20

I know some non-snobby people with children at Butcombe - attracted in one case by the high standard of music at Clifton College, and in the other by the very good provision for dyslexia and similar learning issues (at least at that level - not sure what it's like further up the school).

But I have to admit that when I encounter large groups of the senior school pupils wandering around Clifton (and expecting the traffic to stop for them, it seems) they do seem to exude a rather superior attitude which is not necessarily backed up by the school's academic results...

exexpat · 23/02/2010 22:23

Oh, and fees in the senior school are a bit - at least 50% higher than the day schools in Bristol, though to be fair they do seem to give a lot of scholarships, for sport/art/music as well as academic things - I think they are keen to attract more local native English speakers, to balance all the high-fee paying overseas students from China, Russia and so on. But there are not so many boarders at junior level.

Runoutofideas · 24/02/2010 07:50

I think Butcombe definitely has a "snobbier" reputation than Clifton High. I know Butcombe parents who has a place at the local outstanding state primary and turned it down, whereas the Clifton High parents only went there because they couldn't get into the same primary. Different attitudes I think...

Runoutofideas · 24/02/2010 07:51

had a place

posieparker · 24/02/2010 20:18

I think the primary is the most expensive, certainly by year three.