Martins Heron/Bracknell - Schools any good?
Discussion
Christ I know this is Pistonheads and maybe this topic is a bit mumsnet as it is void of any V8/MX5 mentions but I thought there could be the odd Pistonheader or two who live in Martins Heron or East Bracknell area and has kids going to primary school there.
The only schools in the area are Ofsted "requires improvement" but I'm trying to find out some opinions of parents with kids in the area - see what they think.
Are the Ofsted reports a good way to judge schools (given that they can be up to 2years out of date) any thoughts or experiences welcome.
Cheers
Simon
The only schools in the area are Ofsted "requires improvement" but I'm trying to find out some opinions of parents with kids in the area - see what they think.
Are the Ofsted reports a good way to judge schools (given that they can be up to 2years out of date) any thoughts or experiences welcome.
Cheers
Simon
if you have the money then LVS is the best one around, has excellent reports and the facilities are incredible. Otherwise, if you can get onto the waiting list, then Charters is the best option for a state school, also has excellent reports and pretty good facilities. both offer a bus service, with LVS also offering to pick the child up from their home.
We send our kids private and I know a few come from Bracknell side.
Fees are about £6k a year, although they may have gone up for new admissions.
That's for school 8.45 - 3.45pm core hours but we drop off between 8 and 8.45 and can pick up anywhere up to 6pm. The breakfast/pre-school club and afterschool clubs are part of the price. It also includes holiday club, so cover for 51 weeks of the year if we need it.
Combined with the fact they have different term/holiday dates it means we can book cheaper holidays.
As we both work full time it was not much more expensive for private then doing, breakfast club, afterschool club and holiday clubs and having to take holidays at expensive times.
Fees are about £6k a year, although they may have gone up for new admissions.
That's for school 8.45 - 3.45pm core hours but we drop off between 8 and 8.45 and can pick up anywhere up to 6pm. The breakfast/pre-school club and afterschool clubs are part of the price. It also includes holiday club, so cover for 51 weeks of the year if we need it.
Combined with the fact they have different term/holiday dates it means we can book cheaper holidays.
As we both work full time it was not much more expensive for private then doing, breakfast club, afterschool club and holiday clubs and having to take holidays at expensive times.
Ranelagh is the best in Bracknell for results, but unsure if you need to be religious to go there as im sure it used to be the case.
Other than that try this for the Bracknell Area - http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/determined-seco...
Other than that try this for the Bracknell Area - http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/determined-seco...
Bullett said:
We send our kids private and I know a few come from Bracknell side.
Fees are about £6k a year, although they may have gone up for new admissions.
That's for school 8.45 - 3.45pm core hours but we drop off between 8 and 8.45 and can pick up anywhere up to 6pm. The breakfast/pre-school club and afterschool clubs are part of the price. It also includes holiday club, so cover for 51 weeks of the year if we need it.
Combined with the fact they have different term/holiday dates it means we can book cheaper holidays.
As we both work full time it was not much more expensive for private then doing, breakfast club, afterschool club and holiday clubs and having to take holidays at expensive times.
That sounds very good value for private, what school is it if you don't mind me asking? I did have a look at the LVS website and found some fees junior day at £3800 so essentially £12k PA which is actually less than I thought it would be but not really viable for us I think not being powerfully built company directors n'allFees are about £6k a year, although they may have gone up for new admissions.
That's for school 8.45 - 3.45pm core hours but we drop off between 8 and 8.45 and can pick up anywhere up to 6pm. The breakfast/pre-school club and afterschool clubs are part of the price. It also includes holiday club, so cover for 51 weeks of the year if we need it.
Combined with the fact they have different term/holiday dates it means we can book cheaper holidays.
As we both work full time it was not much more expensive for private then doing, breakfast club, afterschool club and holiday clubs and having to take holidays at expensive times.
Challo said:
Ranelagh is the best in Bracknell for results, but unsure if you need to be religious to go there as im sure it used to be the case.
Other than that try this for the Bracknell Area - http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/determined-seco...
Thanks for the link ChalloOther than that try this for the Bracknell Area - http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/determined-seco...
My wife is a Primary school head teacher, and I can tell you that the OFSTED reports really don't mean much. If your kid is bright s/he'll do alright. What is more important is the clientele at the school. When visiting the school to see if you like it, take a look at the other parents, are they people you'd be happy to invite round for dinner? Do you think you'll have anything in common with them, do you think they have or their children have got any ambitions in education?
These days of mixed social housing on new build estates, and Bracknell being right up there for that kind of thing, you're not going to get a school that is full of Oliver's and Charlottes, there will be a mix of Kyle's and Damla's, it's just the ratio that matters. On OFSTED this is covered under the term ' proportion of children provided with free school meals'
As for questions to ask the school, ask to take a look at reading diaries, check to see if they have been reviewed at least weekly by the teacher. If so then you probably have a school and at least a teacher that is motivated to progress your child's education.
Fairly certain that there is a big primary in Harmons Water that is good?
hth
These days of mixed social housing on new build estates, and Bracknell being right up there for that kind of thing, you're not going to get a school that is full of Oliver's and Charlottes, there will be a mix of Kyle's and Damla's, it's just the ratio that matters. On OFSTED this is covered under the term ' proportion of children provided with free school meals'
As for questions to ask the school, ask to take a look at reading diaries, check to see if they have been reviewed at least weekly by the teacher. If so then you probably have a school and at least a teacher that is motivated to progress your child's education.
Fairly certain that there is a big primary in Harmons Water that is good?
hth
My kids went to Birch Hill school when it only ever got satisfactory OFSTED reports and had a high proportion of children on free school meals. As the poster above says your kids will be fine if they don't have learning challenges and you help them with encouragement. (Listening to reading, making sure they do homework etc). My kids are at Uni now and still have many of the friendships they developed there. Again as above go and look round during a school day you'll get a feel for whether you like it or not.
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