Hello,
My DS will be starting school next September, and we’re currently deciding between two schools that have quite different approaches. We’ve visited both once and plan to visit again in a month.
Marian Vian is closer. The school has impressive outdoor spaces and, from what I’ve read, takes a more holistic approach, offering a variety of fun and engaging activities. The OFSTED rating was good, and all the reviews I’ve seen are positive. It’s a fairly large school, with around 600 pupils across three entry forms, although some parts of the building felt a bit dated.
Harris, on the other hand, is a bit farther—it’s about a 7-minute drive without traffic, which we’d need to consider. The school seemed more academically focused and structured, and we had a positive impression overall. Its smaller size could be beneficial, potentially providing fewer distractions and more discipline. While it may seem less “fun” than Marian Vian, it might suit him well in terms of focus. OFSTED rated it as outstanding, though the review is from 2018, so it’s not very recent.
Has anyone had first-hand experience with either of these schools? I’d especially love to hear about Harris, as I’ve already seen many comments on Marian Vian.
Thank you!