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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Cheshire prep schools

11 replies

WimpoleHat · 10/10/2023 12:33

I’m really after a bit of collective Mumsnet wisdom! One of my oldest friends is moving back to the UK (Cheshire area) and is looking at prep schools for her two kids. She’s new to the whole school “thing” and asked my advice, but not sure how much help I can be as we are down south and my kids are past the prep stage! She’s keen on Terra Nova and the Ryleys; Terra Nova looks a bit more traditional to my eye and goes to 13, which I think would suit her - but they seem to have had an unbelievable turnover of headteachers, which strikes me as odd. Don’t know if anyone has any insight into either of these schools - or any recommendations for anywhere else she should look at?

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Mumaway · 10/10/2023 21:35

Cheshire is a bit of a broad area for recommendations unless she's looking for boarding. Any narrower area?

Original poster

WimpoleHat · 10/10/2023 23:04

Thanks @Mumaway .They’re moving here for her DH’s job, so think she’s looking for the school first and will then narrow down to exact area. I was assuming a day school, but I suppose weekly bosrding might be an option.

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Mumaway · 11/10/2023 18:33

Maybe think further ahead than prep? Trafford is blessed with (free) grammar schools with some of the best academic results in the country. If finances allow, Altrincham and Hale are also great places to live with great links to city for work etc. Private schools towards the city are also well regarded
Otherwise we have some very affluent country towns, such as Alderley Edge, Chester, which all have decent private schools, but it depends if you're looking for academics or more broad education

Bakingdiva · 11/10/2023 19:05

Depends where in Cheshire.

There's Alderley Edge School for Girls (only relevant if the children are girls obviously) and Kings Macc if they want the academic side - Kings moved to a new site a few years ago and is now very popular and getting harder to get into (waiting lists for most years I believe) - both of these go through to 18 so not 'prep' as such.

If not so academic focussed - Beech Hall in Macc too.

Some children will go to the Cheadle schools, some will go into Mcr for the likes of Manchester Grammar (boys only) or Withington and Manchester High (both girls only.)

Depending where in Cheshire, you've also got Hale Prep (mixed), Altrincham Prep (boys) and Bowdon Prep (girls).

Bakingdiva · 11/10/2023 19:08

Re Terra Nova, my kids don't go there, but go to one of the other schools that's had an influx of children leaving Terra Nova - parents don't seem to have been happy with the head

ReadySalty · 11/10/2023 19:13

Head for Altrincham/Bowden/Hale.

Great prep schools and if they don't pass their 11 plus you can stick them on a bus to MGS or Withington:

Original poster

WimpoleHat · 12/10/2023 08:39

Thanks everyone - some useful advice here. And I’d completely forgotten that Trafford still has grammar schools; that’s definitely a big thing for my friend to consider for the medium/longer term. (I live down south, although used to live in Manchester. I think she asked me to help her as my kids have gone through prep schools - but honestly not sure I can be much help not knowing the area and the individual schools that well!)

Interesting re Terra Nova, @Bakingdiva - that looked like the sort of place my friend had in mind (co-ed, sporty, leafy campus), but it looked to me as though they’ve had an unbelievable turnover of heads (I couldn’t quite work it out - looked like one came in September and was gone by the following October!). I did wonder if that was a bit of a red flag?

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Bakingdiva · 12/10/2023 08:48

@WimpoleHat I'm not sure about the most recent history, but I know that in the last couple of years, 3 kids joined by dd's class from TN and 4 others went to different schools - that's just from 1 year.

Co-ed and sporty might be better with Kings? - their new campus looks amazing (my dd is NOT sporty!) unless they really want to go on to public school in future so the ability to go through to 13 is important?

Original poster

WimpoleHat · 12/10/2023 10:48

@Bakingdiva 7 kids gone from one year! Blimey…..

Thanks for the tip re Kings - hadn’t looked at that one. (My kids aren’t sporty either, so it’s not my area of expertise at all!)

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CoughForWeeks · 26/10/2023 03:54

Terra Nova really deserves a look by your friend, it's fabulous!

The current Head is exceptional - completely focussed on creating an optimal learning environment for every child's needs. Staff are knowledgeable and inspiring. New DH charismatic, experienced, warm and approachable.

The head who came and went in a year hadn't worked in the private sector before and was perhaps out of his depth...

Numbers look very good so while there were some departures caused by the above the current health of the school is glowing.

It's a beautiful site with great extra curricular activities as well as a brilliant education. Plus boarding options with a lovely team. Have a look!

Jill23 · 17/11/2023 08:23

My SIL’s nephew goes to Terra Nova; I met her (my SIL’s sister - getting complicated!) at a party last week and she was talking about what had been going on there. Like @CoughForWeeks, she really likes the new Headmistress.
She said loads of kids had left (I got the impression due to some bullying issues?) but that had all been resolved now?

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