What brilliant primary school would you love to send your dc to if money/location/faith were no object?

[SSSandy2]

OK I know money IS an obstacle, as is where you live and so on but I need some ammunition here for my argument with dh who thinks schools elsewhere will not be better than schools here in Berlin.

So I tossed the prospectus from Salisbury Cathedral School down in front of him and said well I think this one would be better for a start. There is nothing here even remotely similar to it. Now I'm not saying it is feasible for us but I am 100% sure it's better than anything I've seen here - and I think I've checked out everything there is. I also think the state school in the Ukraine my best friend is sending her ds to (specialising in maths/physics) is better too.

Soooooooo anyway:

What primary school would you ideally like to send your dc to if you could - and why do you think it is so good?

as things stand right now, a language unit so that DS language can be improved, and he will be taught by staff experienced in communication problems.

Another one happy with her local school here. Fab school, kids all very happy, Ofsted say it's outstanding in every single area.

Only problem is we do live in a very well-off area - almost all other houses are ten times the size of ours. Makes me feel poor, event though objectively we aren't.

My dc's are here - moved there this term and they are very happy despite the diruption. The staff are fantastic - friendly and approachable, stretch the kids but are gentle and there is lots of play.

Miles better than their previous school where the principal was very old fashioned, thought he knew best about every child and parents had little or no say.

Moving them was the best thing I did

Good luck

To be honest at the moment the school dd goes to now is perfect for her. However in a few years time if she didn't have to board and we had the money/bursary Cheethams, Sylvia Youngs (eek, what have I bred) or a ballet school would suit her down to the ground.

No named school but one that treated children like poeple, let them ask questions instead of them reaching Y2 and never asking questions anymore and that included disabled children properly.
If such a paragon exists let me know

ah another caffeine addict. Well if I find that fantastic school, I will get dd in BEFORE I tell anyone about it! Ha ha fat chance!

I think you are all so lucky that you have such nice schools that suit you and your dc.

And Carbonel, that school looks lovely. Latin from age 7, my dd would die for that one. She is always pestering me to teach her Latin and I struggle to come up with a phrase or two now and again.

Thanks everyone but actually this thread didn't make me feel better really

Oh SSSandy2 I am sorry if I made you feel like that. I have seen your other posts on the German system and am for you.

I am a bit evangelical about their curent school because it is just so different from the previous one; i can understand your frustrations so well having been there (altho I doubt anything like as bad).

Hope you manage to get something sorted soon

Our primary school in sw Oxfordshire did my children proud for basic literacy and numeracy and instilling good values:

www.uffington.oxon.sch.uk/

I am totally in love with dd2's primary school, and have had the other two in different schools, so do have some points of comparison.

Because:

They are incredibly warm and loving with the children, but actually also quite firm. When a class is working, you would think the room is empty until you actually walk in, but they also seem to do loads of creative and hands-on stuff, and there is a very lively buzz. There is no uniform, and it's first names all round, for staff too, which is not what we've been used to.

Everyone looks so happy. It is of course possible that all the teachers are part of some weird cult and are feeding the children happy pills, but that aside I'm forced to assume they actually all really enjoy being there.

It is incredibly inclusive (tho' to be fair it is in quite a middle-class area, so the challenging kids are in a minority). They are very welcoming, and have an active programme of parents information sessions, coffee mornings and times set aside for you to speak to teachers informally.

The children all do really well academically, despite the apparent absence of pressure and homework. They do challenge them, but it seems to be quite subtle. But see above re. catchment area.

Not sure whether this will help or depress you, though...

Frogs - pleeeeeease tell me which school this is ???

Sounds like something I might like for DS.

Struggling big time at the mo.....

I don't think I would move DD to be honest. We already pay anyway. And we love her prep school, and she adores it. Not sure we'd get much better - esp her happiness and delight at going to the school - anywhere else now. Although I guess it does depend on what you are looking for.

My ds1's school is fantastic and just over the road. When we moved here he was 18 months and we loved the house so we took no notice of the schools although I do know the area.
We count ourselves really lucky and wouldn't change a thing

Theodore'smummy -- we're in North London. If you really want to know specifics, you'll have to CAT me.

Frogs - can't do CAT as I don't have a credit card, etc.

But if you are happy to tell me a bit more then my email is: [email protected]

Thanks .

dd's primary school is similar to yours frogs, I was talking with a friend whose ds is there about how uncannily quiet it is when you walk through the school, the classroom doors are open and you peer in and they are all riveted to what they are doing!

We sent her there after a lot of headscratching when she also got into the private school of our choice too. We are very pleased so far but it's early days!

Theodoresmummy -- have emailed you.