Independent schools Worcester advice

quandrymum1 · 2022-03-11T21:39:23+00:00

Hey everyone, I'm after a little advice or guidance on an independent school in Worcester for my DS, I have looked at the schools and I think they're all great in different areas and aspects but I wondered if anyone had any personal experience with the schools and could give me any advice or a feel of the schools from a parents perspective? I am very torn betweens Kings Hawford and RGS Springfield, I love them both for different reasons. Any information would be appreciated,Thank you

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Itsnotover · 14/03/2022 13:15

How old is he? Kings Hawford is definitely for the outdoorsy types but it has a brilliant reputation. Springfield is also very good but quite academically pressured. The brighter children are more favoured.

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 15/03/2022 08:56

@Itsnotover

How old is he? Kings Hawford is definitely for the outdoorsy types but it has a brilliant reputation. Springfield is also very good but quite academically pressured. The brighter children are more favoured.

Thanks for the reply, he's 5. I loved how warm and homely RGS Springfield feels, it comes across as nurturing which is great for little ones but Kings Hawford has brilliant facilities and seems great for an outdoorsy boy I just don't get that same level warmth I experienced at Springfield, I'm very torn

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Fly1390 · 16/03/2022 19:55

My advice would be to go with your gut instinct. If you have attended their open days only then perhaps visit them again on a normal school day too and take the opportunity to ask more questions but essentially go with the one which gives you the best feeling for your LO. I know Springfield and agree that it is a fantastic, friendly and warm school and really brings out the best in its pupils but without putting any pressure on them. Good luck with your decision!

Isolated101 · 16/03/2022 20:07

I’m not sure about Springfield - experience of RGS The Grange (same family of schools) was not great, very much one size fits all approach. If I had the choice again and based on friends experiences, I’d go for Kings over RGS.

Caldicott07 · 16/03/2022 20:19

I’ve only heard good things about Springfield, but like Fly1390 said: go with your gut instinct. Britannia sq is a beautiful area for a LO to grow up around.

worcestersauce29 · 16/03/2022 22:06

Our experience is old but having had experience of both The Grange and Springfield it would be Springfield all the way!

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 18:19

@Caldicott07

I’ve only heard good things about Springfield, but like Fly1390 said: go with your gut instinct. Britannia sq is a beautiful area for a LO to grow up around.

Thank you, my guy actually tells me RGS Springfield, I think for early years it is fabulous I'm just concerned I'm not looking at the prep years where perhaps he may want to play more sport and be outdoors. I love that at Kings the little ones swim weekly but at RGS Springfield it's just a term a year and Kings have a plethora of after school clubs and seem super keen on music, I just cant make my mind up

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Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 18:21

@worcestersauce29

Our experience is old but having had experience of both The Grange and Springfield it would be Springfield all the way!

Thank you very much, I personally preferred Springfield over the Grange too, I've set on either Kings Hawford or RGS Springfield as they both seem fab I just can't decide which one. I wish I could talk to some parents at both to see how they feel or what they would change etc

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Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 18:23

@Isolated101

I’m not sure about Springfield - experience of RGS The Grange (same family of schools) was not great, very much one size fits all approach. If I had the choice again and based on friends experiences, I’d go for Kings over RGS.

Thank you very much, Kings has soooo much to offer and the teachers and headmistress seem very approachable, I may have to try a taster day at both at let my DS decide 😂

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DesertStorms · 17/03/2022 18:24

Kings Hawford. Really recommend.

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 18:29

@DesertStorms

Kings Hawford. Really recommend.

Thank you, can I ask if your little one goes there? What do you personally like about the school? Is drop off and pick up a nightmare with all the cars trying to get in and out? Im very lucky that I can walk to RGS Springfield and I like that I'll get to see the other parents and get a feel for the place and maybe chat to his teacher, maybe have some play dates because we're closer etc I'm worried that at Kings I'll just be doing a drop off and go and we won't get that warmth, if that even makes sense

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Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 18:30

@Fly1390

My advice would be to go with your gut instinct. If you have attended their open days only then perhaps visit them again on a normal school day too and take the opportunity to ask more questions but essentially go with the one which gives you the best feeling for your LO. I know Springfield and agree that it is a fantastic, friendly and warm school and really brings out the best in its pupils but without putting any pressure on them. Good luck with your decision!

This is fantastic to read, very helpful, thank you. There is something special about it for sure

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DesertStorms · 17/03/2022 18:49

I had a child who went there some time ago. She had a really happy time there. Warm and inclusive, not too pressured. Lovely teachers, lots of support . It wasn’t too bad getting in and out. I found it friendly in all senses. Had the feel of a village school rather than a hothouse.

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 18:53

@DesertStorms

I had a child who went there some time ago. She had a really happy time there. Warm and inclusive, not too pressured. Lovely teachers, lots of support . It wasn’t too bad getting in and out. I found it friendly in all senses. Had the feel of a village school rather than a hothouse.

Thank you very much, it's good to hear this, their co curricular is great too and they're getting chickens, this gets me very excited 😆

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MaebeaorNot · 17/03/2022 19:01

If you can walk to Springfield then that would decide it for me. It is exactly as you perceived very warm and friendly.

I think they are both good, and so little difference KH isn’t worth the drive and congestion.

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 17/03/2022 19:32

@MaebeaorNot

If you can walk to Springfield then that would decide it for me. It is exactly as you perceived very warm and friendly.

I think they are both good, and so little difference KH isn’t worth the drive and congestion.

Thank you, the walking distance is a massive factor for me, I love walking my son to school now and I love our chats etc, in all honesty my concern with RGS Springfield is whether the boys get to play much sport because the classes are smaller (my husband didn't get to play much sport at his school and worries it might be similar) and whether the school is so small that he won't be prepared for senior school with so many more children, I don't want to think I'm doing the right thing then massively overwhelm him in the future. I'm probably over thinking it all really. Having two great choices to pick from just makes the decision more difficult to decide. My husband passes Kings Hawford on his way to work so we wouldn't necessarily have to go out of our way.

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Isolated101 · 17/03/2022 22:35

Springfield used to run a toddler group in term time. If they still offer it this is a good way to get a feel for the school and also chance to meet other potential mums before starting there.

fluffy71 · 24/03/2022 16:23

I’m in exactly this same position with a son starting Reception in September. Having had kids go through Kings Senior, I am broadly very happy with the level of education they received. Looked at Hawford and loved the facilities. However for us I think we will opt for Springfield. It’s so lovely and nurturing and appears to be plenty of boys in the early years. They also join up with GS Grange boys for sport in the later years.

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 24/03/2022 17:14

@fluffy71

I’m in exactly this same position with a son starting Reception in September. Having had kids go through Kings Senior, I am broadly very happy with the level of education they received. Looked at Hawford and loved the facilities. However for us I think we will opt for Springfield. It’s so lovely and nurturing and appears to be plenty of boys in the early years. They also join up with GS Grange boys for sport in the later years.

Thank you, this is how we feel too, RGS Springfield just feels so nurturing and warm but everyone I've spoken too tells me to go for Kings Hawford, a no brainier apparently. The after school clubs are fantastic (yoga, Lego club, swimming, gymnastics) at Kings and they have the pool which they have lessons weekly which massively appeals to me as Springfield swim for a term a year (the do have a little longer in the pool to make up for this) but once a week sounds great. We're just going to put names in a hat and go from there 😂

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fluffy71 · 24/03/2022 18:27

A nice dilemma to have!

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quandrymum1 · 24/03/2022 18:41

@fluffy71

A nice dilemma to have!

I agree, we're very lucky to have such great schools and the choice

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fluffy71 · 24/03/2022 22:10

But I still think you should go with your gut! To have such a lovely school within walking distance v stress of piling the kids in dads car every day… I know what I’d chose. I’ve walked and driven kids to primary school and I know what’s less stressful!

HappyMum1975 · 25/03/2022 11:02

My daughter is currently at Kings Hawford and in my opinion it’s the best school ever! She is truly happy. Very nurtured and encouraged. Fab range of extra curricular and broad curriculum (swim every week, dance lessons, sport and PE, plus all the standard)
Family feel-open access to the teachers
Kids always outdoors
Parking not too bad as kids finish at differing times due to varying club time finishes.
You get used to pulling out onto the A449 although it is hairy at first!
In local prep circles Springfield seen as the poor relation sports wise probably due to its size

Original poster

quandrymum1 · 25/03/2022 16:26

@HappyMum1975

My daughter is currently at Kings Hawford and in my opinion it’s the best school ever! She is truly happy. Very nurtured and encouraged. Fab range of extra curricular and broad curriculum (swim every week, dance lessons, sport and PE, plus all the standard) Family feel-open access to the teachers Kids always outdoors Parking not too bad as kids finish at differing times due to varying club time finishes. You get used to pulling out onto the A449 although it is hairy at first! In local prep circles Springfield seen as the poor relation sports wise probably due to its size

This is fabulous, all the things I've wondered about have been answered. He actually went for a taster day and absolutely loved it and was sold on the idea of a pizza party next week, I didn't even mind the A449 and when I collected him there wasn't any congestion and lots of parking places, the head teacher is also very warm and friendly.

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