Grittleton House School, Wiltshire

[SarahJ190]

Has anybody got any experience or knowledge of this school. Comments gratefully received. Thanks!
Sarah

Reading the posts assume that GH would suit my anxious daughter who hates her state Junior school. Only thing that concerns me is the academic side as she is very bright and I would not want her to be disadvantaged. Our local state schools are way too large for her so really looking for small and nurturing. We live near to Chipping Sodbury so don't really know of many options which don't involve her being on a bus at 7am. Any ideas?

Sian, how about looking at Royal High School in Bath. Up on Lansdown, so easy to access from Chipping Sudbury. Good for more academic children than Grittleton I would think. Another option may be Westonbirt? Both have junior sections as well. Redland High in Bristol is also good on the nurturing/pastoral care side of things, but good on the academics as well. If you are looking for Primary at the moment, Silverhill in Winterbourne is a lovely private junior school. Good pastoral care, non selective but does lots to stretch the more able.

Thank you Jo - will look into all of those. My concern is the very long days as well as a lot of the transport for these schools starts at 7am which I think is way too early for an 11 year old. Difficult because we do have access to a very good state grammar up in Stroud but again transportation is difficult and the class sizes are large. Never thought I would be looking at private schools as I have been a state school teacher for 27 years! However I really just want her to be happy and cannot see this happening in a school with large classes. She is one of the youngest in her year but very bright - not a great combination. Thanks for the ideas.

I'm a teacher too and live fairly locally to you. I think we are going to opt for Katharine Lady Berkeley when the time comes. Private for 2 would be a stretch although will definitely consider it for A Levels. KLB set from day 1 across maths/science and english/humanities which means although class sizes are 30 they are least getting taught to their level from the start. I know of several families with children there and all are unreservedly happy so far. There is a bus from Chipping Sodbury which takes about 30mins going up through Wickwar.

I actually live in Wickwar , eldest went to Stroud and middle child goes to KLB and very happy but youngest one is a different kettle of fish altogether. Wish it was straight forward but going to look around a few schools with her over the next couple of months. No one school can be a good fit for all children I guess. I think she would be happiest at home but that would not be good for her or me!!!!!

Ahh!! Not telling you anything you don't know then!! At least being a teacher you know what you are looking for! Go and make your own mind up about Grittleton - they seem to do alright by most of their pupils, however from what I know of it (work in primary independent now, but come from secondary background) a bright child may find some of the teaching methods a little unstimulating. Maybe Westonbirt would be a better fit, and not too far from you. Just out of interest is there school transport to stroud high from Wickwar/Wotton?

Unfortunately the taxi minibus has gone but there is a public bus - goes at 7 and does not get back until 5.15 - one of the reasons I am not keen with number 3. Very good school though - eldest did really well there.
May look at new job to try and reduce fees.....

Highly respected by teacher friend

Hello - I'm moving to stroud from miles away. (Brighton) and wondering which school would be best for my dyslexic dd who is currently in y4 - Wycliffe or westonbirt. On the one hand it seems a no-brainier to choose Wycliffe as is known to have v good SEN but putting the dyslexia aside I think in some ways my daughter would like a smaller, more intimate school. I plan to visit both but wanted to see what you all thought - should SEN provision be the main concern or the general vibe!?! Local knowledge on either would be a huge help.

Nettlefairy, have a look at Grittleton, but also Calder House too.

thanks!

I just wanted to post a completion on this thread. We went for Grittleton in the end, and it could not have been a better choice. My son, whilst not academic has excelled there, his confidence has grown and most importantly for the first time ever, he loves school. Everyone at the school has been fantastic and encouraging and we are delighted with it.

My daughters have been at the school for several years and I would definitely recommend Grittleton - great school, as mentioned, very nurturing environment, confident polite kids, good focus on public speaking skills, small classes, good facilities, lovely atmosphere. As a non-selective school, of course the GCSE results are never going to be as high as a selective private school - which is common sense - but good all-round education. Very surprised by some of the negative views on here, could not recommend the school more (based on my own experience - I went to a private school in Bolton). My daughters are also dyslexic and the school have been very helpful, definitely benefiting from the smaller class sizes.

SarahJ190 Having followed this thread when you were choosing a school for your son, I wondered what your plans were now following the sudden news of the closure of Grittleton School!