A Comprehensive Look At Our Local Schools

It’s always a bit of a worry isn’t it, when your vulnerable little one takes their first step into the world of statutory education and suddenly, a whole host of strangers (well, teachers) become responsible for shaping your child’s future and influencing the way they will progress through life with very little knowledge from yourself exactly how this will be achieved.

Sorry, that was a bit dark wasn’t it, I don’t mean to sound so gloomy. It’s Mrs Wade’s fault. 

Anyway, luckily, we have some super-dooper schools in the area, notably, many village junior schools which are a great alternative to placing your child in one of the town’s infant and junior schools such as St John’s in Glastonbury and Elmshurst in Street. Village schools need not just be attended by village dwellers, though priority will be given for places to those that live near-by. If you live in Glastonbury town, you can still apply to one of the periphery village schools such as at Meare. Meare has an excellent reputation for providing first class education and an impressive range of extra activities many of which focus on green issues and outdoor learning. Similarly, another popular choice is that at West Pennard and at Butleigh. 

For top class teaching and unrivalled facilities of course you can’t go wrong by placing your child in private education at Millfield Prep for children aged 2 – 13. With the latest O***ted report finding it ‘Outstanding’ Millfield-for-Littlies will ask you to cough up £4725 per year for day placements and just under £7K for boarding. Of course it will most probably be worth every penny but you may need to remember that normal progression would be to Millfield Senior and that the school fees would be just the beginning of the outlay (think uniform, excursions, equipment and social life, the latter possibly at a level which requires more than a fiver pocket money and the cost of a bus ticket). But bursaries and scholarships are available for Millfield Senior School so if your child excels at any subject, notably sporting ones though others are considered too, then maybe now is the time to start strategically planning an application for future admission on that basis.

Other secondary comprehensives in the area have mixed reviews; Crispin in Street is officially a ‘Beacon’ school thereby considered to be Very Good. It has consistently good results at GCSE level and with its links to Strode College and Strode Theatre it is well positioned for the transition to college and for performing arts based work. St Dunstan’s Community School in Glastonbury has been awarded status as an Arts College and although in recent years the reputation of the school has been varied with Ok Ofsted reports, it does seem to be doing better with GCSE results from year to year.

And what about those who have just had their GCSE results? Well many will be progressing onto college, most likely to the aforementioned Strode in Street or Bridgwater College. Strode offers a vast range of post-16 courses and options range from re-sits of GCSE’s, A-Level subjects, Diplomas at Level 1, 2 and 3, NVQ’s 1, 2 and 3, vocational subjects and many other options and combinations of study. There is also a Day Care Nursery for any young parents to leave their own children safely cared for while they return to learning. The next Open Evening is in November but if your child needs any careers advice following GCSE results then refer them to Connect South West (formerly Connexions) or contact the Careers Team at Strode by telephoning 01458 844409.

So is your child starting school for the first time next week? Did you manage to get a place at your chosen school or did you have to opt for a second choice? Maybe you prefer to Home Educate? Is your son or daughter moving onto college and how do they feel about leaving school? Feedback would be appreciated (especially from any young people)!