Sure, I can write in a bit more detail tomorrow and pm me if you need any specific advice. My daughter started in reception and is now in year 6.
Positives about the school:
- The new Head Mr Smith is lovely and very approachable. He stands outside the school gates and greets parents every morning and afternoon at pick-up, so you can always speak to him.
- The school is great if you have bright children who enjoy being pushed academically. The school really places A LOT of emphasis on academics and if a child is bright they will most certainly be stretched. This also applies to bright children who joined from state schools. There are sets in English and Maths. Children are also encouraged to enter/chosen for various maths/science/other academic competitions.
- The pupils as a general rule care very much about their education and strive to attain good grades and most importantly work towards the 11+. They are well-behaved and there is no disruption to learning.
- Class sized are small. The school (both lower and upper) is generally very small and the Head(s) (the school also has an executive head) know every child individually.
- The school does prepare the kids for the 11+ (including all London grammars and top independents). I must say the secondary schools Salcombe sends its kids to are very impressive and although many parents go crazy with tutoring, actually the school works hard from about year 2 to drill the 11+ necessary curriculum into them . As a general rule, Salcombe’s top-tier students will get into the schools of their choice. Many also find year 7 fairly easy, as Salcombe does make them work at a higher level.
- The teaching for the most part is very good and very “serious”.
- The lockdown provision was excellent. Full-day online lessons and they have now given every child a new hp laptop to work on, which they take home and use in school.
- The school is very diverse; the parents very nice and for the most part, normal middle class working parents.
10. It’s been a few years since we have been to the lower school, but from what I hear it’s quite nurturing and they have school pets (chicks), which are a fairly new addition.
11. Different music instruments grading and Trinity Guildhall exams are offered in the school (at a bit extra cost).
12. The school have a house system and there are some fun house competitions to look forward to. They also organise things like Master Chef competitions, which are great.
A few negatives:
- A lot of homework! Like I said, the school is very serious about academics and the amount of homework my daughter used to bring home was at times insane (in my personal opinion).
- A small school means less choice of friends. If there are falling outs, there is a very small pool of other kids to hang out with.
- The facilities obviously aren’t great compared to some other prep schools in leafy settings.
- Almost all kids go through the 11+ process and unfortunately many friendships split up as they end up in different secondary schools.
- My daughter hates the food, but she might just be fussy.