Secondary Education in the South West

[Stressymum1]

Hi
we are looking to relocate to the South West, I have a 13 DS about to go into year 9. He is currently in private education and we would like ton continue in the private sector. I've been looking on line at Blundells, Exeter and Truro schools. I'm not too sure about Truro school as the religious side is off putting to me ( I'm sure my son wouldn't want to take religious studies for GCSE). Can anyone advise my on their views of these school. Many thanks for any help

Well Truro is a good 2 hours away from Exeter. Would your DS be boarding there? Where do you want to live? Exeter is very different from Truro. Blundells and Exeter are reasonably close to one another. No way would I commute from there to Truro every day.

Each has things to commend it. I work in a very good state school in the SW. However, all year 11 take RPE GCSE. It seems somewhat petty to dismiss a school because of taking one GCSE. Exeter School has excellent sports and music facilities. Is your DS interested or good at those? Blundells is not as academic as Exeter School. It seems to attract a lot of "old money" types. Sport is very important, academic results less so. The only things I know about Truro are that I work closely with someone who went there many decades ago and I teach someone with a sibling there who is a chorister on a large scholarship. The sibling boards there as the family home is in E Devon.

There are several private schools in S Somerset: Taunton School, Kings, Queens and Wellington School. Have you considered those?

The head from Truro is leaving and moving to a school in Bath this year. That may have an effect on th school.

Virtually all independent schools have a strong Christian ethos and there will be regular religious assemblies and services.

Have heard very good things about both Blundells and Exeter - don't know Truro.