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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

Primary schools in Gloucestershire

14 replies

motto · 22/02/2010 17:29

Hello
This is my first time on Mumsnet so please bear with me...
I am looking for some advice please, we are re-locating from Scotland to Gloucestershire this coming summer, not sure of where we will live but looking for any advice on great schools for my five year old son.
Thankyou and would appreciate any feedback whether which ones are recommended and ones that aren't!

motto

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lorisparkle · 22/02/2010 21:00

Gloucestershire is a big county so I can only talk about the area near us. We live north of Cheltenham. Cheltenham itself has a huge rang e of schools from those in 'special measures' to very popular schools. All the schools near us (Gotherington, Bishops Cleeve, Woodmancote and Grangefield) are popular and have their pros and cons. Last year they were so over subscribed that they had to open a new class in Bishops Cleeve (a huge primary). Who knows what will happen this year. If I had the pick of the schools I personally would choose Woodmancote from our 4 near schools but this is a very personal selection. I would definately not choose Gotherington even though this is considered an 'excellent' school and was considered one of the top 100 schools in the country.

My advice is to look at OFSTED and visit the area / schools. I know it is a long way but it is the only way to get a real feel for a school

Original poster

motto · 23/02/2010 13:08

Thanks for that, very helpful and yes I have been on the Glouc website and looked at the Ofsted reports also. I am in the process of making appointments to visit some schools before Easter.
Interesting that you wouldn't recommend Gotherington as that was one of the first I rang. There are no vacancies as yet there but I will look at Woodmancote too.

Thanks again

OP posts:

lorisparkle · 23/02/2010 21:27

After I wrote I thought about Gotherington. The main reason I would not send my child there is because of the reception class. If your child will be in Year 1 in September then it might be worth a look. It is a very popular school especially if you are keen for your child to get into grammar school. It all depends on your priorities for your child and your child's personality / ability.

Littlefish · 23/02/2010 21:34

Leckhampton in Cheltenham is a great school, but tends to get full from catchment, so you would need to live in the area.

GetOrfMoiLand · 23/02/2010 21:35

We lived in Bishop's Cleeve (north of Cheltenham) and I highly highly recommend Bishops Cleeve Priamry. DD went there and it was an excellent school, and feeds into a good senior school (long way off but still). My dd's old Year 6 teacher went off to be head of Gotherington, he was a great teacher and have heard good things about that school.

If you can afford to live in Leckhampton then Leckhamption Primary is excellent. My nieces go there and SIL has been delighted with it.

lorisparkle · 23/02/2010 21:37

Oh yeah for all the schools near me you have to live really near by or have a child in the school all ready to definitely get a place. It is a real lottery - I am anxiously waiting 29th March to find out where we get into.

Ellokitty · 23/02/2010 21:52

We're in the process of moving to the very edge of Gloucestershire - on the borders with Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. To a little market town called Lechlade. Been to look at the primary school and it looks great, has a good reputation, good OFSTED and great SATs results. The local secondary is pretty fab too. It has had a brilliant reputation since I entered teaching 13 years ago. The quality of the schools is one of the major reasons we are moving.

Original poster

motto · 01/03/2010 14:12

Many thanks to all of you for your responses. I have made an appointment with one school though don't know much about the area, Frampton on severn. Gotherington was full and I am awaiting a reply from Eastington. Will look into your suggestions.
Thanks again.

OP posts:

2ManyPimms · 01/03/2010 17:31

The village schools are particulary good...try Birdlip (usually full), Cranham and Sheepscombe. If you fancy suburban living, try Charlton Kings in Cheltenham...great primary AND a great secondary.

Good luck!!!

Original poster

motto · 02/03/2010 21:33

Thanks, 2ManyPimms

Spending so much time at this but it's important. I have tried looking at Birdlip but seems to be a problem with web site but will try the other three.

Thanks again

OP posts:

mummymilky · 03/03/2010 14:26

The school in Frampton is lovely (as is the village itself!) - but very oversubscribed. We really wanted DD1 to go there, but there were all sorts of problems for the Sept 2009 intake with children living on the doorstep not getting in. And we don't live that close! Eastington has a very good reputation, but I believe it's also oversubscribed. Sorry, that all sounds very negative!

Original poster

motto · 11/03/2010 19:09

Thanks for that. I have an appointment at Lakefield so fingers crossed all goes well. I have heard good things also. I tried Eastington also but full, of course!

OP posts:

mummymilky · 26/03/2010 09:47

motto - how did you get on at Lakefield?

bourtonbetty · 28/03/2010 12:27

Lorisparkle What is it that you would have concerns with re the reception class at Gotherington? Was thinking about having a look round there (though prob full!). We are moving nearer to Cheltenham from Bourton on the Water.

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