Sherborne Primary Schools - Please Help!

[SnoopySnooBananasToo]

Just wondering if anyone has some ideas of which primary school would be most suitable for my DS who is an outdoor type and likes to be stimulated by interesting and fun things. He is Year 1 in a London school.

All school websites seem to say the same thing - I need somewhere that will stretch him - and provide lots of activities - gardening/school pets/running around/music/etc.

I have looked at the Ofsted for the local schools and they don't 'achieve' the same results as London schools - but looking at the bigger picture.

Also - are there lots of activities outside of school in Sherborne itself (even with Covid) to stimulate and inspire?

Can anyone help with thoughts?

Thanks for reading...

Do you mean state schools? If so, they are all pretty similar. If you want highly enhanced extra-curricular you will need one of the preps.

What sort of extra-curriculars are you looking for out of school? There is a forest school (Poggles Wood), a dance school, riding school, swim schools, rugby club, tennis club etc in town and more choices if you are happy to drive.

Hi reefedsail...

Yes, state primaries. Just wondering what the difference is between all the local ones - which ones are known to be either academic/sporty/outdoorsy/etc than the others?

A prep would be great - but I don't think is feasible at the moment with budget ..

I have seen Poggles Wood/dance and things like Go Sherborne. Looks good...

Did anyone reading move down from London? How have you found settling in?

I really wouldn't say that there is any significant difference between the local primaries. I would just choose where you want to live and go to the closest one.

We moved from the commuter belt 7 years ago. Took a year or so to down-shift into Dorset pace, but we are all so much healthier for having done so. There are lots of people from London/ SE here, you won't be unusual. There is an element of competitive slow-living.

Ha...that made me laugh out loud...my rhubarb is bigger than your rhubarb kind of thing...

I just don't want to make a big move like this and find that my son isn't stimulated by school. .

Any views on local and nearby preps?

All the state primaries will cater for a child working at greater depth, but none of them do anything fancy. They are just solid little country schools- all perfectly good and do what state education says on the tin.

Prep wise you really have 4 options locally:
Sherborne Prep: (I can't be unbiased about this as we use it, but we have been really very happy with it for our DS). Laid-back. Benefits from the close links with the senior schools.
Leweston: very cosy, the cheapest, through school if you like that.
Hazelgrove: known for being very sporty.
Port Regis: the shiniest and most expensive, the only one that really preps for senior schools outside the West Country.

I have been reading about Sherborne Prep in the Good Schools Guide/Tatler and particularly like the way it is described as unpretentious and unstuffy. It's what I am looking for.

Interesting you commented on it being laid back.

Leweston is very reasonable- but I think I would like to be able to walk my son to school (not sure that should be a deciding characteristic though).

Planning on visiting Sherborne asap.

Now all I need to do is find a house in Sherborne!

Thank you for taking the time to respond....

Just a word of warning: we live less than five minutes walk from the Prep (and being able to walk to school is a wonderful thing) but my DS begged and begged to flexi-board anyway, just because he wants more time with friends in school.

Your son obviously loves it there!

What made you choose Sherborne above all the other preps in the area?

Would you say there's a mix of parents at Sherborne?

Do the local preps have a 'type' of parent?

Sherborne Primary is a lovely friendly school with a fantastic sense of community. The outside space is very good, and includes a sensory garden, pond and chicken coop (with chickens!).

Thanks for that MLN.. definitely worth knowing about the details of the schools. It all helps with decision making!

Hello OP, did you move? What school did you choose?

@SnoopySnooBananasToo

Just directing that to the OP for you!

Hello! Thanks for redirecting @2reefsin30knots

Not living in Sherborne yet....! But want to be there very soon. Few things holding up proceedings..

If anyone reading happens to want to sell a house in Sherborne (not with a million pound price tag) then please let me know! I love Long Street ....a small cottage would be great!

As far as schools go - any other insights into local primaries would be useful- even though I am thinking of the prep route. What have you found so far yourself @Oldermummy2019?

The problem with the little cottages in town is the parking. There is a great cottage for sale in Trendle Street at the moment, but lord knows where you would park a car.

If you only need two bedrooms, this is a good one because it has a parking space! Good location.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109029581#/?channel=RES_BUY

I have seen Trendle Street already - budget wise too much of a stretch plus it needs a LOT of work!

Acreman Street - I was put off by the outlook over portakabins and the straight into the living room thing.....

I need a magic house fairy.....!

Hello,

I know this is an old thread but we are moving from London to Sherborne this year and am looking for the same advice you asked for, except for also that my son has SEN needs so that’s an added worry.

Did you successfully move to Sherborne and if so how did and your son find the schools?

many thanks

natalie

@SnoopySnooBananasToo

Hello,
I know this is an old thread but we are moving from London to Sherborne this year and am looking for the same advice you asked for, except for also that my son has SEN needs so that’s an added worry.
Did you successfully move to Sherborne and if so how did and your son find the schools?
many thanks
natalie

No we ended up moving to Surrey. Not sure about SEN provision in the area.

@nattynoo85 hi! Found this thread and wondering how you're getting on? We are also moving from London to Sherborne and have a child with SEN. How has your search been re schools have you made a decision?

@Laury2Hi! This has just popped up for me. I can’t necessarily help with the SEN aspect but I have primary age children and we live just outside of Sherborne. Let me know if I can help with anything!

Thank you! Do your children go to school in Sherborne? Any recommendations?

@Laury2I have just sent you a private message ( think you have to access through the webpage, rather than the app)

Hi, we have ended up choosing a different location, sorry can't help with your question. Maybe start a new thread? Good luck...

@Laury2 we are moving to Sheborne in August so not made the move yet but we’ve chosen Sherborne primary school, we visited 6 schools in the area and surrounding areas, and this was the most like a London school and good SEN provisions from what I could see and heard, my son loved the look of this school too and luckily as it’s the nearest school to us. I still don’t think the SEN support in any of the schools we’ve seen will top my son’s current school but we are making the move based on more than just schools but quality of life, safety, and family support x