Lady Barn House School

[GaryWilmotsWedding]

Hello all! I’m considering Lady Barn for my two children. I visited not expecting much as I’d heard it is a bit of a hothouse and very academic. I’m not against that but my children being happy and supported is my main driver. I really liked it and it didn’t ‘feel’ like a hothouse during my thorough tour, but the reputation persists. Does anyone have personal experience you could share with me? I’m concerned it might be too much of a stretch for them. They are both bright but not academically gifted!

Mine are grown up now but had a wonderful time there, I'm still part of it

Mums with children starting nursery, have you had your form teacher allocations? My daughter is in Mrs Stapletons class - we’re very excited now

My younger child is starting nursery and her older brother Reception.
She has got Ms. Jennings and I am so happy! I am also really excited too. I can't wait for them both to get started!

@Squisha82 @GaryWilmotsWedding and anyone else who has children starting in September...did you go to the uniform pop up shop last week?
I am just about recovering now!
So excited about the start of term though.

I didn’t go but from the email about giving free postage, it sounds like it was slightly chaotic??

We went to the pop up on the day of the Fun Day so have ordered early?

It was crazy but we've got pretty much everything we need.
It's all feeling very real now.
We had to miss the fun day, unfortunately, because the kids have a class in town at the same time.

Hi all, I hope you don’t mind me resurrecting this thread!

I’m thinking about this school for my little one. How have you found it so far? Mainly the commute from Didsbury?

Im torn between here and a local walkable primary school (or Moor Allerton).

Is the drive a nightmare or is ok? Where do you park?

Hope it’s going well for you all! :)

The commute is fine from Didsbury, much better if you arrive on the early side though because the school car park and surrounding roads get really busy from about 8.15am.

My children absolutely love it so far and I am really happy with it. My littlest one's teacher, Miss Jennings, is absolutely amazing. She's also the head of Early Years. I have so much faith and trust in her.

I much prefer it to the local Didsbury primary schools and to Moor Allerton but it's all down to personal preference.

We have been really impressed so far, a very nurturing school, they have been so lovely in settling my little one in and communication has been brilliant. We commute from further afield, not didsbury, takes us 20/25 mins but definitely worth it. Have you looked around both schools? Looking around is what swayed us in favour of commiting to the drive. Ladybarn have an open day September 30th, you can sign up here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lady-barn-house-school-autumn-open-morning-tickets-689822526747?aff=oddtdtcreator the road and car park do get busy but they have free wraparound care 745-415 so you can avoid it by dropping off earlier/picking up later x

@FrodisCapering @GC30 thank you both so much. It definitely seems like my preferred option just wanted to check the drive doesn’t take hours at rush hour.

I love the look of the woodland school and the whole ethos, although we’ve not actually looked around anywhere yet. My little one is only a few months old, I’m just trying to be organised and I know spaces can go quickly at certain schools.

Thanks for the link to the open day, I might book on. :)

Hi, just wanted I add that we commute from further afield than Didsbury and the wrap around from 7:45 - 4:15 makes a lot of difference. The only challenge I’ve found so far is then getting back home after drop off. It’s 15 minutes in and then over half an hour back at the moment, which isn’t great if you need to get to work!
This wouldn’t change our decision to come to Ladybarn as it’s been great so far, but is something to bear in mind as I hadn’t factored that in

@Squisha82 ah thank you! Yeh I’d ideally need to drop off and be back for 9am. It does all seem workable though for a great school but something to consider.

I might do a few ‘practice’ drives, but the wraparound care really does seem excellent. I’ve got friends using local schools and trying to get spots on after school clubs has been a nightmare for them!

@GC30 ah you’ll be fine for 9am I think. I had beautiful visions of being in and out and home by 8…. That’s not happened yet!

Ah fab. Yeh I’m really lucky both DH and I wfh with pretty flexible jobs to I’m hoping between us we could make it work!

@Mushroo I work too and need to start by 9, although I have flexibility and it is mainly from home. I haven't had any problems as yet.

Moor Allerton would've been a lot closer for us but there really is no comparison in my opinion.

@FrodisCapering thank you, it’s really helpful to hear from people who have gone through the same decision process!

@Mushroo aside from the open day, which I highly recommend, the headteacher is really open to meeting parents 1-1. You can meet all the early years staff and ask any questions you want, as well as seeing the children on a normal working day.