Cheltenham primary schools

[MADfamilee]

Hello everyone -

I’ve decided to send my daughter to an independent school for primary, and have narrowed it down to Berkhampstead and Richard Pate in Cheltenham. Having real trouble deciding between them. I like Berkhampstead’s slightly more play-led ethos, plus they have specialist teachers throughout. But Richard Pate also seems excellent and their facilities are certainly better. They just seem a bit more academic and so perhaps a shade more intense than I might like for my child. Both schools get great results in terms of the children getting into grammars etc.

Wondering if anyone out there has any opinions or insights into these schools to help me make up my mind! I have already looked at and discounted the others in the area (St Edwards, Airthrie, Dean Close, Cheltenham College).

Many thanks for anyone’s views/experiences!-

Hi There MADfamilee,

Thanks for posting - we're not able to help with your question but we wanted to hop on and give this a bump for you.

We hope you'll find some helpful advice shortly from our users.

MADFamilee,
What did you decide in the end???
(Faced with the same choices in 2022!)

Just noticed this thread and was wondering how you got on? We’re currently facing the same decision.

Hello @MummyMouse2208 and @Pricklyhedgehogg , what did you decide? We are facing the same decision! Any info would be hugely appreciated :) Thanks so much

Hello! Well, what a journey it has been since I wrote that! 😊
My DS is now 10 years old and in Year 5 at The Richard Pate School. And, I have to say, for us it has been the best decision EVER.
The School is caring, supportive, engaging, creative, vibrant and full of life. Children are valued for who they are, and their individual potential. The Head is the one dearest, kindest, most thoughtful people I have ever met. My son's form teacher knows him and, more importantly, gets him. I couldn't ask for better. It is not a "pretty" school, no Hogwarts lookalike. But -- having spent oodles of money propping up beautiful old buildings, I am very thankful for the solid foundation and fabulous education my child is receiving.
Hope this helps!

This is so helpful thank you for taking the time to write it! We’re still making final decisions so real life experiences are a massive help!

We’re leaning towards Richard Pates after having a meeting with the head & really resonating with a lot of what he said. The less central location & outdoor space is also a huge draw for us.

Thanks so much both. Really great to hear you’ve had such a good experience @MummyMouse2208 . Both schools seem great, just slightly different positives to both. Thanks again, hugely appreciate the quick responses.

Hello, @Pricklyhedgehogg what did you decide to do? We are now looking at next September. Still loving RPS @MummyMouse2208? Thanks so much 🤩

I'd actually offer a dissenting perspective to the above now... I did decide to send my daughter to RPS for three years and then pulled her out in favour of a more nurturing school. I felt RPS was more driven to impress the (fee-paying) parents rather than always teach in a way that was best for the children. My daughter is bright yet started to express discouragement in Y1 ("I'm no good at this...", "I can't do that", etc) as the school veers away too much from play-based learning in the early years and attempts to cram them too hard and too fast instead. I also had an issue with the way RE was taught - too indoctrinating - and the food, too many unhealthy/sugary choices! Any time I attempted to discuss such issues I was met with polite resistance. My daughter is much happier and thriving now at her new school.

@MADfamilee thanks for the update, sorry to hear that RPS wasn’t right for your daughter. Can I ask which school you decided to use instead of RPS? We’re still making the final decision on which we’re going with.

Thank you so much for your insight @MADfamilee, and sorry to hear it didn’t turn out as expected.