Hi thanks for your replies
We've not had a chance for any open days yet as oh has been really busy with work, we're 80% settled on King Edwards because we don't really want lo going to a religious school, someone on my course sends her kids to Kingswood and she says religion is a big part of their schooling and we really don't want religion pushed onto our son, he'll be going either at 3 or 4 years old so 2013 being the earliest, we'll see how ready he is when it gets closer.
what did you make of KES? how would you say it is in comparison to the others?
If you are looking for entry - to nursery - in late 2013, then you probably have a bit more time: the schools do open days in May and October (you probably wouldn't want to leave looking any later than October 2012 - since you want to get your LO's name down early and that will give you a better pick of the days).
They are all a bit different: Monkton and Kingswood have more of a "Public School" feel about them, whereas KES just feels like a very good primary school to me. Think that KES is more relaxed and the nursery and Pre-prep are on their own site (whereas Monkton and Kingswood are sited next to the Prep schools (great for a more inclusive feel and for easy sharing of facilities, but it does give them a different "feel").
(specific) Nursery size/facilities/resources, I would say that Kingswood seemed best (they have had a lot of money spent specifically on the nursery recently), then KES, then Monkton. That doesn't mean that Monkton isn't great (it is!), just that the nursery itself is "compact" in comparison.
The nursery leader, I just love the one at Monkton - she is amazing. The one at KES second (still very good). Wasn't hugely keen on the one at Kingswood: hard to explain, but the other two were definitely "all about the kids", whereas I got a slightly different picture about the one at Kingswood....
. However, Kingswood had really great nursery assistants (older, very experienced). The ones at Monkton and KES seemed more junior and less experienced (doesn't mean that they aren't good, though). That may be a reflection on the division between leader and assistants: at KES and Monkton, the nursery leaders are very much that (very hands on).... At Kingswood maybe the assistants are more hands on.
KES is "free flow", Monkton is a bit more traditional, Kingswood inbetween.
"Immediate" (nursery) outside space (that the kids have open access to): KES is the best (most well equiped, biggest space), then Kingswood, then Monkton. Overall grounds, Monkton is amazing, Kingswood not far off, KES nowhere near as great (a let down compared with the other two). Monkton and Kingswood have swimming (and other sports) on-site, KES they have to travel across town to the North Road site.
Odd thing to note, but I didn't like the PE teacher (who looks after nursery upwards) at Kingswood (met the one at KES, who was very nice, didn't meet the one at Monkton). It is really odd how you can get a feeling about someone very early on like that.... he didn't strike me as a relaxed, modern teacher type (would seem more at home as an army PT I think...). Maybe not a huge thing (
), although DS is very active and I really want him to develop a passion for sports...
Looking longer-term (in some ways you shouldn't, but kids make long term friendships and continuity can be good): KES is a VERY academic school at senior level, Kingswood academic (but not as tough as KES), Monkton more relaxed (not that it is not suitable for academic kids, but it is more understanding of less bright kids). DS should be bright, but should doesn't mean he will be...
I asked Kingswood about them being "Methodist" and how this differs from a typical CofE School (which I have experience of) and they felt that it wasn't hugely different. The school is very Christian in it's ethos, but nothing really hugely different than that.
On a personal level, Monkton is the furthest from us, Kingswood the easiest to get to, KES (or at least nursery/pre-prep) a bit tougher. I would like to love closer in to town, but since we only moved (bought) a year ago....
(think that my husband might want to kill me
).
We are not looking at the Paragon/Prior Park. DH is Catholic (although not exactly practicing), but - through research - I don't feel that it has the reputation of the other 3. I feel that the quality of the education is more important than the religious context: Monkton, Kingswood and KES are all Christian to a greater or lesser degree (KES is just non-denominational - religion takes more of a back seat to a wider Christian pastoral ethos).
I did like Kingswood (school, facilities, resources, grounds etc) and the Methodist aspect wasn't too over-powering, but my feelings about the nursery leader and PE teacher may be too off-putting. Might be worth me going back during a week day to see the school in motion.
KES is probably the sensible choice, but we are going to Monkton this Friday morning - so will see what husband thinks.
Open Days (and other visits) are the best way to get a genuine feel for the place and what you think will suit your LO.
I haven't found a LOT of cliquiness is Bath. Possible "earlier on" - when people tend to stick to their NCT groups a lot (even when they then go to other classes and groups), but generally we find people at the parks pretty friendly and I have met people through Waterbabies, Baby Sensory and Baskervilles (various baby gyms). Often it isn't other people being cliquey, but me being shy
KES will probably be the least cliquey of all of the schools, parent-wise. There are no boarders at KES (so all pupils are reasonably local), it is definitely less "public school" and the majority of parents will just be professionals wanting the best for their children (and will probably respect other like-minded people who also send their kids there too).
QT
), then they should get to know you before forming any opinions...
I'm at college Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, I don't remember if you drive or not but if you do you should come around here any Wednesday or Thursday, I'm not very good with buses and directions 
