Yorston Lodge, Knutsford

[Liverbird77]

We are sending our eldest here for nursery, with a view to continuing through primary, and for his sister to attend in due course.

Does anyone have any first- hand knowledge of the school? It seemed really nice but just keen to canvas views from parents/teachers.

We looked around but in the end chose somewhere a bit bigger as the facilities I thought were quite limited for a prep school.
Not much outside space etc. The head was also (I thought) approaching retirement, although 5 years on and she’s still there. The school is part of a group of schools and they also weren’t looking brilliantly healthy financially.

That said, I have friends who have a daughter there who seem happy enough. My kids are at a nearby prep school but never play yorston at sports.

@Captainj1 thank you for your insights.
Very interesting. We didn't know the owners were in financial trouble. I am now worried it'll close down when the kids are settled. Worrying.

I thought the same about the head. She's very impressive but I worry she'll be retiring soon. She seems very switched on.

The outdoor space doesn't bother me too much, because I think they've done well with what they have. Similarly sports. Ours will get a lot of chances to participate in stuff out of school time.

It is such a hard decision!

My twins went there (18 years ago mind!) for kindergarten and adored it- real family feel and we have good memories, if that helps?

@MyMagicStars it does, thank you! Was it the same head? I feel she's been there a long time and seems fab.

I am hoping for a small "family" feel because my eldest child is very timid and I think he'd get lost in a class of 30.

[quote Liverbird77]@Captainj1 thank you for your insights.
Very interesting. We didn't know the owners were in financial trouble. I am now worried it'll close down when the kids are settled. Worrying.

I thought the same about the head. She's very impressive but I worry she'll be retiring soon. She seems very switched on.

The outdoor space doesn't bother me too much, because I think they've done well with what they have. Similarly sports. Ours will get a lot of chances to participate in stuff out of school time.

It is such a hard decision![/quote]
I wouldn’t rely on my comment re the financial position, it was over 5 years ago and a lot could have changed.

On the sports I think they play against the Knutsford state schools as there’s some sort of sports consortium group. Which would explain why my kids don’t come across them.

My advice would be to ask the right questions about the head and financial position and then go with your instincts - your children being happy should be the priority IMO. Good luck!

She wasn’t head, but deputy then, I believe. DH spoke of her recently and thought extremely highly over her- we’ve had dozens of heads with our lot over the years with preps and nursery and secondary, etc (8 kids) so if she stands out then it’s a good sign!

@MyMagicStars yep, we thought she was pretty great.
I tip my hat to you going through this with eight kids! I find two knackering enough

@op
I wonder what school you chose in end. I am also considering Yorston Lodge
thanks

@rushino we went with Yorston for kindergarten, however we are pulling our child out and going elsewhere for Reception.

It's a very caring and friendly school but it's very, very small.

My sister's child attends Yorston and loves it, what year's your little one in?

Just saw the school is now closing. How sad!