anyone know anything about primaries in Newcastle under Lyme?

[whywhywhy]

I've got a job at Keele university and we'll be moving to the area, hopefully by September.

Can anyone tell me anything about schools in the area? I am interested in St. Johns CE in Keele and Westlands primary. The latter has v.g. SATS results but they've improved massively in one year. If anyone knows the story behind that I'd be interested to know it.

DS1 (4 in July) is in a private prep school in London. There is one (Edenhurst) near Keele and I am angsting about whether to cough up and send him there. DH wants to do it as he thinks a private education is automatically 'better' but I just don't know.

Also if any mumsnet mums live in the area I would love to get in touch generally. I also have a 3 month old ds.

I have two children at Orme House, bit less posh than Edenhurst, and from I gather less pushy, lovely headmistress, very caring staff, had a bit of controversy in the senior school recently but that is all over now with a new Principal.

I would really really recommend a visit.

St John's has a good reputation as far as I know, don't know much about Westlands, a friend took her son out of their when Orme opened a pre-prep department, she was happy with their infants but not 100% with the juniors.

To be perfectly honest we can't really afford private but I just fell totally in love with Orme House.

Is your ds 4 this July or next July, not sure if they have reception places for this September. if it is next September my ds would be in the same year.

go to The Meadows in Madeley Heath! It is fab and there were only 12 children in reception when ds was there last year.

we are now in the south.

why would you want to move to NuLyme is another thread altogether!!

good luck!!

I live in Newcastle under lyme, my friends children go to St Johns and she highly recommends and have heard v good things about it. Also met the deputy head the other day and she was really nice.
I have a dd age 4 starting school this year. Would be happy to meet up . People in Newcastle/stoke area are v friendly. at Collision! I had friends form London who moved to Keele due to husbands Uni lecturer job and they loved it.