SALISBURY SCHOOLS. urgent advice needed...

[noonar]

my neice is at school in salisbury and will be starting in year 4 in september.

she is a bright girl in many ways, but is academically falling behind and has some issues with friendships and concentration.

she is currently at quite an academic (state school) and is clearly not feeling like she is succeeding at school.

can anyone suggest a school in the area which might enable her to develop at her own pace instead of feeling like a failure?

she is sporty and musical, but struggles with maths and lit- she's probably performing at a year or so behind her chronological age.

am thinking that montessori or steiner, or something else less formal might suit, but dont know the area.

tia

There is 1 class per year group. Most of them between 16-25 pupils. Surely that's a good thing?

hmc - v interesting point re nomansland. mate of mine went elsewhere because she thought the school was too small. mind you, most of the schools round here are small!

sorry john, i just dont really DO email.

CD, will do. thanks.

i think fordingbridge is a bit far, tbh

Too small schools can have issues with recruitment retention and budgeting imo.
SMall classes are of course good but can lead in the end to mixing years( bad).

Ah well - I'm not twisting anyone's arm. But missing a trick imo. Private sector equivalent education without the price tag or quite so many chelsea tractors.

Lol hmc - our nearest state primary is full of chelsea tractors driven by women who can hardly see over the steering wheel and could do with a lesson in parking!

SusieD - I'd love to know where your mate went....(out of curiousity)

I don't regard the school as too small - suppose it is what you are used to. They certainly don't miss out and indeed seem to get much more than average. Had no issues with recruitment, retention etc. I'm very pleased

hmc
i think i saw your h in his car though the other week

does he still have it?

What the R8?

Bloody hell

Yes, he does

I've heard the one in Woodford Valley (just outside Salisbury sorry can't remember exact name) is excellent. Think it has sporty/arty and has a SN unit (not applicable to your neice but always a plus imo).

Also one near St Marks.

Have to go out but will check in later.

i saw it and thought " ey up there he is"
flapped me fins and schwooshed off

lol - I didn't realise you were back

Sorry hmc - got tied up with stuff. My mate ended up moving over Lyndhurst way and her lot now go to school there.

Broadchalke is v v good if you are that way. Actually in Salisbury St Marks is the best.

I think that is where the the Dn might be atm from the description of it being fiecely competitive.

I hear there is a lOT of staff disatisfaction at BC atm.

My experience is that St Marks is known as a highly academic, pushy, crammer for the grammer. Not everyone's cup of tea. It's also massive - over 300 kids

Good things heard about Greentrees. Outstanding Ofsted report.

Friends had children out in Middle Wallop primary and were impressed

My experience is that St Marks is known as a highly academic, pushy, crammer for the grammer. Not everyone's cup of tea. It's also massive - over 300 kids

Good things heard about Greentrees. Outstanding Ofsted report.

Friends had children out in Middle Wallop primary and were impressed

Winterbourne also nice.
Depends if you want vilage or not

Also Gomeldon.

Look at the primary league tables for 2008, available on the Times website.

I think the OP ISNT loOKINg for academic rigour though - more a rounded education.

she's already at st marks. for her, st marks is the problem.

thanks all

whats leehurst swan like?

Leehurst Swan is a lovely school, but even more academic than St Mark's. Approx 50% pass the 11+ at Leehurst, to give you an idea. I don't know what the % is at St Mark's but a lot lower. Having said that Leehurst does very well by it's not-so-academic children as well, it is a very caring school with a family atmosphere. The downside is, you have to pay!

There are no mixed year groups at Leehurst, if that's what you're after.

Actually, I think the issue isn't primary in Salisbury, it's secondary!

Salisbury is awash with private crammers pushing kids into the state grammars, therefore it's hard to get into the grammars unless you're super bright and can pip the less clever but better prepared prep school kids.

For a girl, post 11, there's St Edmunds which is supposed to be good, BUT it's hard to get in as basically it leaves the other secondary moderns standing! For a boy, the options are pretty dire!

I recall when Leehurst Swan was a girls catholic convent.... La Retrait.