Minchinhampton area schools

[Gurdjieff]

Hi everyone

Some of you commented on a thread I created in the distant past about Leckhampton schools (thanks teacherwith2kids in particular).

Well - as these things tend to go - we're not moving there now. We've bought in a village called Minchinhampton, near Nailsworth/Stroud/Cirencester. Just wondered if anyone had any recent experience of the primary school, what it's like etc. Also if the local schools are over-crowded (so if our DS1 didn't much go for the local school for whatever reason we might have a chance of getting him into another one locally).

I can see it's good from the OFSTED stuff and some other web sources, but nothing would beat firsthand experience.

I'm also interested in what proportion of kids disappear to the grammar schools. I can see that some of the local secondaries are really good, but I know that some grammar areas are problematic for the other secondaries in the area.

Interested to know what anyone thinks of William Romney in Tetbury, Thomas Keble in Bussage and Archway/Dursley/Wotton schools.

thanks in advance

Gurdjieff

Hello Gurdjuieff
Sorry it's a bit late, but I've just seen your thread.
I live just outside Minch (we're near Amberley) - Welcome, it's a lovely area!

Unfortunately my DC didn't go to the school, so I can't pass on any direct opinions, but I've heard good things from the people I know whose children are there. It sounds like the mixed age group classes work well and there is a strong PTA.
There are loads of other good schools in the area, so I wouldn't worry too much if you didn't get into Minch.

As to secondary schools, you would be in the catchment area for TK which has an excellent reputation and although it may lose some of the top children to the grammars, it still manages to retain plenty of the more academic children and has much more of a feel of a true comprehensive than a 'secondary modern'.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more detailed inside information on the area.

Oh, and it might be worth asking on the local MN Gloucestershire board as you might stand more chance of someone more local spotting it.