As a current parent at St David’s, I want to share a balanced and genuine review of our experience, in the hope it helps other families when considering the school.
There are certainly positives. The small class sizes are one of the key reasons many families choose the school. There are also frequent sporting fixtures, and on paper the school looks to offer a wide range of opportunities.
However, in reality, it’s often the same 4–5 girls and boys from each year group who are consistently selected for sports teams and events. There’s no B or C team structure to allow wider participation, which leaves the majority of pupils overlooked — especially those who may be keen but less naturally sporty. This has had a significant impact on my eldest, who used to be confident but has gradually become more withdrawn after repeatedly being excluded from opportunities. Unfortunately, you do start to notice that certain children are given more attention and encouragement than others, which affects the overall sense of fairness and inclusion.
That said, my younger child is currently happy at the school and enjoying their day-to-day experience, which is important. I would say that if your child is self-motivated and particularly strong in sport (especially within the top 10% of the year), they will likely thrive at St David’s and benefit from the opportunities available. But for those who aren’t in that select group, it’s easy to feel left behind.
My biggest concern lies with the school’s leadership and how feedback is handled. No school is perfect, and issues are bound to arise — but it’s how a school responds to parental concerns that really matters. In my experience, St David’s management can be quite defensive, and your concerns are not always welcomed unless you are seen as one of the ‘favourite’ families. The inconsistency in how situations are managed depending on who you are is something I’ve heard echoed by other parents as well.
Another area worth mentioning is the school’s reluctance to collaborate with parents. Parents are not allowed to volunteer on school trips, which has been particularly difficult for families with younger or more anxious children who would benefit from a familiar face. Instead, the school tends to take teaching assistants — leaving the rest of the school short-staffed — or brings in friends and family members of staff, rather than opening opportunities to the parent community. This approach can feel quite exclusive and has, at times, added unnecessary stress for children who would otherwise feel more supported with a parent present.
It’s also worth noting that I’ve seen the school behave quite coldly towards families who have decided to leave, which doesn’t sit well in a nurturing environment.
It’s also concerning that, for such a small school, it was recently announced that six experienced and key members of staff are leaving. Staff turnover on that scale inevitably raises questions about morale and stability within the school, and it’s something parents are understandably worried about.
Given all of this, we are now seriously exploring alternative options for our children. It’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly, but one driven by a growing feeling that the school no longer aligns with what we value most — fairness, transparency, and a genuinely inclusive environment.
St David’s might work well for some children, especially those who are confident, sporty, and self-driven. But if you’re looking for a school where all children feel equally valued and heard, it may not be the right fit.