Stroud or Ribston?

[Russellk33]

My husband and I visited both the schools.

What is the general opinion on Stroud vs Ribston?

My daughter scored 238 in the exam so both options are available to her.
There are pros and cons for both schools in that we live in Quedgeley and Ribston is closer to us and i am informed we would recieve free bus travel to the school, whereas i believe we would have to pay £80 a month on bus travel to Stroud.

Personally my daughter would rather Stroud but my concern is that this is because her best friend has indicated this is where she would like to go. Its such a big decision that i want to make sure we get it right first time.

Personally I found Stroud a warmer place than Ribston, the girls seemed generally enthusiastic about thier school and had a more uniformed approach in thier appearence, whereas in Ribston the skirts appeared v. short, there was alot of wild hair going on and designer labels dropped ( which could add peer pressure on a child who is not into designer items- like mine)
Another consideration is that i am told that Ribston encourage dance and drama in the first 2 years, and my daughter has no interest in this whatsoever- i dont believe Stroud do the same but i could be wrong. My daughter is academic with a talent for music, She is not at all sporty or into drama!

Realistically looking at the exam results of both schools, Ribston has performed better in the last year and the travel to school would be more convenient. Any friends made from the school would live within the Gloucester area and this would be easier for socialising events which my daughter may involve herself in.

Finally i am aware that Ribston on occasions hold a disco for thier girls and the local boys grammer school. Does anyone know if Stroud does the same??

I dont mean to start a debate between both schools and parents whose children attend the school , but i am at a loss as to which is a better choice as there are pros and cons for both and i am growing more concerned as the deadline for chosing schools approaches.
Thanks once again all!

[spottycat]

Russellk33 I am familiar with both Ribston and Stroud High and you are in a very enviable position in having to decide between two excellent schools. It is very difficult to get an accurate impression of a school on the open days - although you can obviously get a general feel small details such as noticing short skirts (basically par for the course at all schools) and designer labels can give a skewed impression. My daughter went to Ribston and loved it and did very well. She didn't enjoy dance or sport either but being musical she joined the orchestra and choir and over the years enjoyed many musical opportunities - travelling abroad etc.. The music at Stroud High is outstanding with a very good head of music - there is a lot made of school specialisms - but these are optional extras and not compulsory or at the expense of other subjects. Ribston has an excellent reputation for dance which is why many girls choose to go there. Also, don't worry about the bus situation - apart from the additional expenses - there are lots of girls who travel from Quedgeley on the bus and you'll be surprised at how quickly you adjust to this new situation - there are lots of changes ahead and I wouldn't let something like a bus journey influence my decision if I were you. The journey isn't actually that far in any case. Stroud High do have social events with the boys at Marling and the students mix with each other at break etc.. so from the point of view of girls meeting boys Stroud High has that advantage. Stroud is a very lively school whereas I would say that Ribston is a little more old fashioned. Both schools have high academic standards and very good pastoral care. I think your daughter's preference is the important factor here.

[capers123]

Stroud High do have social events with the boys at Marling and the students mix with each other at break etc.. so from the point of view of girls meeting boys Stroud High has that advantage.

I've not noticed any joint social events yet (DD1 is in Y8), but certainly they do mix on the way to & from school, and at some of the clubs (such as Downfielders Barn Dance Band, senior orchestra).

I'd very, very strongly recommend that your daughter takes up the place at Ribston & not Stroud High. Only because DD2 is further down the list & wants Stroud High (partly because it's the very local school, whereas Ribston would be a hike).

[Jen'smum]

[happychap]

Capers! Cheeky tactic and worth a try!

[Russellk33]

Worth a try indeed however having spoken to several people it would appear that my daughter would be better suited in either Stroud or Denmark High. ( Sorry Capers- there is a space in Ribston tho? )
She is really not sporty and has no interest in drama or dance which i believe Ribston specialise in.
My only concern now is that i have been told that there is no pastoral care for children in DHSFG and they are pushed very hard academically, whereas Stroud have a more 'laid back' approach encouraging the children to do the best of thier ability rather than wanting to achieve results for league tables.
I hope to put my concerns to bed by visiting the school and addressing these said issues with the teachers.

[Milk]

I think both Ribston and Stroud are very good schools, they were/are top of my list because of their pastoral care. We chose Ribston in the end, not because my daughter is particularly keen on dance or sport, but because of the many other learning opportunities on offer. Ribston is, after all, a Humanities specialist college which offers a rounded education - dance is just one of many subjects on the curriculum.

[Gypsypony]

Hi, I'd say that SHS is pretty sporty, and in my DD's (Yr 7) opinion too much dance and gym and not enough "proper sport yet" (her words not mine!).
The social circle aspect has to be a factor, we chose SHS because it was our closest GS, 20 miles door-to-door! This has meant her new friends come from Cheltenham, Bussage, Hawkesbury Upton and Bristol I was looking forward to half-term, but there's been talk of sleep-overs , now I'm hoping for lots of homework for next week

One other thing, the bus for the year costs me £750, I'm sure from the Gloucester area it's cheaper but it's worth considering. Especially when they do after school clubs and trips, so you end up driving to Stroud to pick them up anyway

[Russellk33]

HI Gypsypony
And thanks for your comments. Like you one of my concerns was the cost of travel to the school and the distance involved in the event that she choses to involve herself in after school clubs, misses the bus or heaven fobid has a detention!! In total my daughter would be travelling 20 miles per day, i am told at a cost of £3.80 with the local bus. I havnt worked out the cost yearly but it wont be cheap.
It then has to be considered where her friends will be living and those social events that our darlings may arrange.
I was very impressed with the school as a whole and really, the distance is the only downside that i can think of which gives me concern.
How has your daughter found the school? and what is the pastoral care like?
do they have many social activities outside of school etc?

[capers123]

Stroud can be sporty if you enjoy that kind of thing - there's a lot of after-school sports clubs, or so I'm told.

DD1 does partake of many after-school (and some lunchtime) clubs, but not sport ones. She does Downfielders (Barn Dance Band - they go out on paid gigs from Y9 up) , Arts club, Maths club, Gardening club, and a few others. ome evenings theres 4 or more clubs going on at the same time. Beards Lane gets very busy at 4:30 to 5 when people pick up from the clubs (either because it's getting dark & they don't want the children to walk home, or because th bus went at 3:30).

Dance is included as part of PE, and there is a strong drama department, and very strong music department.

She pretty much tries to avoid sports, though.