Your dream primary school?! Help me indulge in dreaming!

[Oliveoilsalt]

Not loving my kid’s primary school at the moment. Been googling alternative schools.

Fallen in love with the idea of King Alfred’s school in Hampstead. (Totally can’t afford it!)

What are some dreamboat primary schools in the uk? Help me indulge my dream of an alternative education life for my kids!

Anyone?

We probably need to know what you don't like, how old your DC are etc!

I think people used to talk about Dolphin in Twyford in those terms. Not sure how it's doing these days.

I like the look of Cottesmore, but I'm not sure it's particularly alternative- just pretty.

Our friends moved to Sweden and we visited their primary school. Separate beautiful wooden buildings for every class, built in a circle around a yard with an enormous boulder in it for climbing on. The school grounds was a huge fenced in forest. The bell was very loud so the kids could hear it in the forest. It was compulsory to come in proper outdoor clothing, they change into slippers before entering the classroom. Free school meals and after school care. It was magical and we were very jealous!

I'm not sure King Alfreds is the answer you're looking for. There have been lots and lots of unhappy parents over the years that we've met from there.

At our son's school the teachers are all known by their first names and I do think it helps them realise respect is earned. They get lots of outdoor play and breaks with their own forest school. Lots of sport and games/PE. I wish they were stronger on drama and that the sport was less competitive.

A special school that had admission criteria suitable for my child (and a space) would be nice but seemingly a totally fucking impossible dream.

PastTheGin - now that’s my dream school! That’s exactly what my kids would love!

Miljah My children are in nursery / key stage 1. I don’t like how “city” it is (not much green space), and the pressure on phonics right from the start, and how little time they actually spend outdoors (and I don’t blame them for any of these things because they don’t have much choice because of rules!).

SulaHula interesting about King Alfred’s! I know nothing about it other than a google today! Can’t afford it anyway sadly. Your kids’ school sounds lovely. Is it state?

reefed don’t know those so am googling!

hazey that totally sucks

My ds has just gone into year 2 in an "outstanding" school, here's my wish list.

No homework!! (Slightly longer days would be better)
Children only kept in at break time for serious misbehaviour (not just for failing to complete the required amount of work)
Loads of outdoor space /forest school etc.
Massive emphasis on social skills, wellbeing and good mental health.
A good range of after school clubs like computing, drama, music, science (all clubs are currently sports based)

@PastTheGin were you jealous of their high tax rate too?? They do pay on average over 50% tax!!

@Timeaftertime42 homework is not created as a means to give more work because they couldn’t do it in school. It is used to form a link between school and home and also to reinforce learning from that day!. It should only take 10-15 mins at that age and should be done independently.

@Timeaftertime42 homework is not created as a means to give more work because they couldn’t do it in school. It is used to form a link between school and home and also to reinforce learning from that day!. It should only take 10-15 mins at that age and should be done independently

Tell that to my school!!

Daily spelling, times tables, reading with written comprehension questions plus weekly SATS practise booklets. None of which ds can do independently. He cries at every homework session so trust me when I say that it is not creating good home school links.

From conversations with other parents, we're not the only ones for whom family life is dominated by homework.

@Oliveoilsalt No, it's private but nothing like the eye watering fees of KA. We left London to be able to better afford fees.

Our school is fab. DD is only going into year 1 so limited experience but it ticks all the boxes we wanted. My only concern is that they are skint but that's not unusual.

No homework policy
Forest school, outdoor learning
Rated outstanding
Kagan cooperative learning
Very loose uniform policy, can wear own clothes and shoes with just school tshirt.
Good range of extra curricular clubs.

PM me if you want to know the name, it's in London.

@Timeaftertime42 I’m sorry it is turning out that way for you. It really shouldn’t be that way! I say that as a teacher and a parent.

@Youmadorwhat Over 50% income tax rate sounds horrific, but you need to look at what you get in return... The Swedish quality of life is undoubtedly higher than the UK’s.

Full immersion in another language

@PastTheGin oh I know!! And I would be willing to be honest!