Craigholme School

I feel I cannot praise Craigholme too highly. It was my great pleasure as a Mother, and as a school nurse of 25 years + standing to visit the school, and they could not have been more accommodating with my requests and arrangements.
I have visited more schools, both in the state and independent sectors, then I can remember, and would not hesitate to send my daughter to Craigholme.

The Headmistress is everything a parent could hope for, and showed deep knowledge and personal interest in the individual girls whom we met as we looked around. The facilities were impressive; don't be put off by the small size, I think it's one of their strengths.

In terms of girls only, again this means there aren't the distraction of boys, and the nonsense of skirts constantly hitched up and thick make-up applied. Also, the number of boys with behavioural issues and challenges is, whether we like it or not, significantly higher then girls. There is also no fear of girls being reluctant to ask for help or to contribute to lessons because of self-consciousness in front of boys, and yes, sadly, that does happen in co-educational schools.

I did, sometime back, read a less favourable review, which declined to be explicit about the rationale for its negativity. This is surely unfair, as the school can neither debate nor respond to unclarified issues. It is just important that each person reaches their own views. If you are prospective parents, I would urge you to visit, in the confidence that you will approve, but above all, you are the people who know your own daughter, and will make the best decisions for her.

S.C.