Independent schools in Staffordshire - any advice?

[Helenagrace]

The possibility of relocating has come up again. Our search area for now is Stafford and along the A449 corridor. We've identified Stafford Grammar, St Dominic's Girls, Abbots Bromley Girls and Chase Academy. Have I missed any? Does anyone know anything about these schools?

I will, at a push, consider state but feel very let down by state education so far so not getting my hopes up.

I'd also appreciate any tips on good and bad areas.

Thanks

A lot of children from ds's prep went to Denston, I think this is Uttoxeter so not sure if it's too far? I'm not sure of the others, I'm on the other side of Staffs/Derbyshire.

Thanks for that. I think that might be ok in distance terms. I'll call them.

Do you know how those children are getting on?

Walton school in Stafford is an excellent state school (thought I'd throw that into the mix!).

Chase academy has a good reputation but is small and based in asda's carpark (really!) so looks a bit dodgy.

Is DC female?

Wolverhampton Girls' High is consistently one of the top perfcorming school - no good if you are a boy though, and dependign where in Stafford you are may be difficult to get to.

www.wghs.org.uk/

We know a fair few girls at Abbots Bromley, get the feeling it's pleasant enough but not a particularly academic school-excellent if your DD is into dance or ponies.

There's also Abbotsholme (has its own farm). It has long days though and I think Saturday school (like Denstone college).

Wolverhampton Grammar School run busses in from Stafford. Good school and more rounded thank some others locally.

Abbots Bromley suffered a few years ago from a Head who was an unmitigated c*w. The new one has been in place for a couple of years and the school is good again. They are unselective and still get the best results in the county, as well as having horses, ballet studio and lots of extras.
There are also St Bede's Prep (Rugeley) and Lichfield Cathedral School, but I know nothing about them. Local talk has it that the Cathedral school is on the up

...if you should find yourself a bit further north (Derbyshire) I can unhesitatingly recommend S Anselm's in Bakewell. Unselective but more than half the Y8s get scholarships (not a hothouse tho'), loads of extras, pastoral care second to none, SN provision, and the kids are lovely. I know one who cries if kept at home when unwell. Boarders love it too - by Y6 most are pestering their parents to let them board.

Disclaimer - I don't work for/own this school! Do have near relation their

Thanks for those tips.

I should have clarified that I have a DD in year 5 and a DS in year 1. DD is currently in a selective girls school. DS is in a state infants but we were planning to go private from year 3.

DD has dyslexia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia. State SEN provision has been dire, when it's been offered at all.

All the parents I've spoken to are very happy with Denston. Ms son's at Nottingham High, he wasn't too happy at the thought of Saturday classes. I used to live in Cannock. Cannock Chase is lovely but there's very little else there. The town centre isn't huge. Stafford is larger, avoid the hospital though!

Abbotsholme has a very strong dyslexia department. Worth a look around, but might be just outside of your search area. Very 'outdoorsy'.

St Dominic's Priory School in Stone is a very good school taking girls from 18 months- 18 years and Boys from 18 months-11 years. It has an open morning this Saturday from 9.30-2. Definatley worth a look around!

How do these girls find it? We are intrigued by AB and can find no faults..

Ab not the most academic. Please pm me for info on Stafford grammar/ Walton / den stone

Can anyone help please? Doing a bit of research to help daughter who's moving to Staffordshire, near Cannock. Looking for school(s) for three children, ages 3, 8 and 12. Good state would be brilliant but happy to look at independent where there's advantage of them all being on same site. Haven't seen anything posted here for a long time but the ones in private sector that spring out are Abbotsholme and Chase. Any thoughts most appreciated.

@SueM38 You need to start your own thread and not comment on this one.
Click on 'secondary education' at the top and it will take you to the list of threads then click 'start a new thread'
Add your post again.

I have a friend whose ds is at Stafford Grammar - he seems to love it (partly because of all the sports opportunities). The school buses people in from all over and it has an attached prep so the transition between the primary and secondary can be seamless. The only downsides that my friend has mentioned are; a) buildings are a bit old and slightly tatty b) unlike a lot of state schools, the homework etc. is not put on line for parents to check up on (IYSWIM).

Denstone College and its junior school would be a similar commute from Cannock as Abbotsholme. The schools are on separate sites but the senior has a longer day.