Independent schools in reach of Manningtree

[EssexEve]

Hello. Moving to Manningtree in late spring and would appreciate local mums’ intel on the nearest private school options for age 8+. Looking at the Good Schools Guide nothing seems all that nearby… DD is creative rather than especially sporty. An all through school appeals after a big house/school move and the disjointed schooling of the pandemic.
Many thanks in advance! E

www.gosfieldschool.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAiAwKyNBhBfEiwA_mrUMpMzvpUBi6isSIfDPLgqNeX2CVZ8m288t77WNeYzpsXNdCXQ1R3B_hoCGhQQAvD_BwE
This must be fairly near?
No direct experience, but my best friend did have an interview here a while back and liked the school.

Ipswich High School is about 20 minutes away, prep school to sixth form. Nice grounds, I know girls who have been very happy.
Royal Hospital School is closer, but takes from 11. Orwell Park is a known feeder school and us about 20 minutes away. RHS is perhaps known for sport and sailing and its links to the navy rather than creativity.

This is a lovely prep school, also in Gosfield Essex. Both DC went here and have such fond memories of the school. They did a great job of getting them ready for secondary school providing them with a great grounding in all subjects, developing a thirst for knowledge and instilling a keen work ethic.

St Margaret's Prep School

Gosfield or New Hall School

I don't know, I'm sorry but I used to live in Manningtree and it's a lovely place to live! I'm feeling wistful!
My children attended primary in Lawford - if you can't find a school, their old one is rated outstanding.
Good luck with the move and finding a school

I love that your bff had a good impression of it - great basis for a recommendation! I took a look (thank you) and it’s impressive but travel wise looks like approaching an hour away. That’s helped me to think about upper limit for journey time and I think 30 mins coach or school run (each way) x

For Primary there's Littlegarth near Nayland, and holmwood house; Colchester High school (mixed) or St Mary's (girls) in Colchester goes up to Y11.

Thank you! Sounds like the sort of age range, setting and distance that could suit her (IHS). A happy girl is the aim here too. Will look at OP. I had not picked up on RHS in searches - I suppose 11 y.o will be here in no time

Thank you @ChequerBoard Gosfield seems to have some good choices but is, alas, too far travel-wise x

Thank you @Stoolpigeon21 I shall check out New Hall! x

@dottyaboutstripes that’s lovely to hear about Manningtree. Funnily enough the estate agent recommended Lawford school too but they are full! Thank you x

Thank you @boyboyboydogdog that’s a good list. St Mary’s going up to Year 11, like IHS could be good for her x

Felsted? Fantastic arts and drama department.

Finborough is lovely too but it might be a bit far.

We’ve loved St Joseph’s College Prep in Ipswich, couldn’t fault it for anything. 20 mins from Manningtree.

Thank you @Rosieandtwinkle! I am hearing good things, mainly about their sports provision and talent. Do you know if non-sporty children are doing well there? TIA for your thoughts x

Ooo I shall investigate Felsted @VitalsStable, thank you! x

Just to correct one comment upthread - RHS is absolutely not all about the sailing and not much else! It's a great all round school - fab teaching, amazing facilities and opportunities, fantastic music, art and sport. But it is 11+ only. Loads go there from Littlegarth.

@usedtobeboss3 that’s helping me to map who feeds whom, thank you. If RHS ran a boat service to bring children to & from M’tree I’d be totally sold but I guess the tides might prohibit that x

Lol. It does run about 10 bus routes though, and I'm sure one must accomodate Manningtree...

@EssexEve yes, DC’s friends are a mixed bunch who have thrived in art, music, drama etc. We’ve liked how they encourage the different interests.in the children. It doesn’t matter if it’s not sports/academic/arts, they’ll find something! Also from Manningtree, come senior school pupils can take the train and the get the free shuttle bus in from Ipswich station.

@EssexEve

Hello. Moving to Manningtree in late spring and would appreciate local mums’ intel on the nearest private school options for age 8+. Looking at the Good Schools Guide nothing seems all that nearby… DD is creative rather than especially sporty. An all through school appeals after a big house/school move and the disjointed schooling of the pandemic. Many thanks in advance! E

Have you considered Ipswich school? It's a 25min drive.

hi Op stumbled across your post researching private schools near Manningtree / Lawford. What did you decide in the end, if any?