Haslemere Primary Schools - which one?

[Alwayslooktothestars]

Hi everyone - my first post here!

My family are moving to Haslemere in Jan and we’re looking for a primary for my DS who will be turning 4 shortly after. Ideally it would have a nursery attached to minimise the number of moves he’ll be doing that year. We had originally hoped for Churchers but we’ve just found out they don’t have space.

Any particular recommendations? We’ve heard of Amesbury, St Ives and Barrow Hills but would really value any local knowledge and recommendations.

I’ll also have a c. 6 week old so any recommendations for a local mothers-help during the move process are also greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

If I were you, wouldn't choose a primary school based on whether they have a space for two terms at nursery (if I'm understanding you correctly when you say Churchers don't have space?). It would mean two new starts in a short space of time but I'm not sure they make strong friendships that quickly at that age. There are good nurseries in Haslemere that can get a child school-ready and children will go from there to a range of schools. A separate nursery would be better than one attached to a school that you don't intend to join for Reception and beyond. However, nurseries in the area are currently in demand and finding it hard to recruit enough staff so that could also be a challenge. Going back to primary schools, if you're set on private schools, then it is best to think about what you want later on. Amesbury and others eg Edgeborough go to age 13 so tend to focus more on senior schools that start at Year 9. St Ives and others end at age 11 so leavers go to schools that start at Year 7. Some schools are through schools up to age 16/18 (eg Royal School, St Edmunds) so avoid future admissions challenges but also don't prep the children to change schools at 11/13. From Churchers Junior a large proportion go on to Churchers Senior although they do have to take the 11+ assessment to do so.