Castle School Pembrokeshire

"My foster children were really struggling in huge class sizes in the local comprehensive. Their teachers had been put on stress leave and lack of quality subject specialist teachers and classes being combined with other classes in the year group due to shortage of staff had really affected their studies and their confidence. Within one term at Castle School, they had caught up on all missed work. Teachers work at a faster pace because class sizes are so small and they’re able to get more done. My children are incredibly well supported, guided and treated as individuals and not numbers/statistics. The staff have gone over and beyond to help them not only settle in but actually thrive! So very pleased and it really helps for them to be in a nurturing, wholesome environment. Highly recommend!"

"My children go to this school and they are very happy there. In fact, they say it's the best school they've ever been to. Castle School is not selective yet still achieves amazing results which speaks volumes and is far more impressive than a school that creams off the most able pupils at 11 and then claims all responsibility for their good grades at GCSE! Children are encouraged to work hard and achieve but it remains a nurturing school with incredible pastoral care. Every pupil is helped in their personal educational journey regardless of whether they're top academically or if they have skills in other areas, all areas are developed and so confidence grows. Many independent schools crush confidence because academic success is the only thing they really focus on because it helps their business (despite their claims!) Everyone at Castle School is helped to achieve their best. I believe the school principal genuinely has the children's best interests primarily at the very core of what is done. The school encourages team work, creativity, entrepreneurship and lateral thinking, all skills which are needed in the work place and life but are missed in most schools these days. Children can excel in many areas, not just on test papers in a classroom. Castle School gives pupils the opportunity to succeed and everyone is valued equally. Sorry for this long review but I feel Castle School really deserves credit! As an ex-teacher (with twelve years teaching experience in independent and state schools) I am a fan of educationalist Sir Ken Robinson and Castle School really does so much of what he advocates. If you watch his TED talks you'll see what I mean. This is why, as a mother, I am so happy my children who are individuals with different skills and different academic abilities can both enjoy being part of this lovely community, which is like extended family, and can both succeed in developing their own strengths and grow into confident adults. If you think this is an OTT review just visit the school and you'll see what I mean! By the way, I was not asked to write this review and it's school holidays now.. just thinking about the new term starting and feel so glad they're going back to a safe, encouraging school with good behaviour, dedicated staff and lovely friends!"

"Ok, where do I start! I have met some brilliant friends at this school, one of them being a male teacher, the education was hard to fault as I’m quite an academic student! Although, for others, their way of teaching was quite the opposite. I have made some good friends along the way, who I’ll never forget and they’ll agree with my further comments, as much as I hate to say, castle school was not what I expected... it was brill to start with, but once I settled in, it changed, dramatically, unfortunately to say the comments from a lot of the “feminist” and “sexist” teachers were outrageous... not just to me but others too, picking on the more academically advantaged children, I don’t mean to slate this school off, but I do feel that the voice of the students should be publicised. When it comes to gender the school is a LOT more lenient towards girls than boys, for example: a girl threw a set of cutlery at a boy (knives) and got sent home, a young lad refused to hand his phone into the teacher, even with no proof and they threatened to kick him out!! Further more, the children have been made to feel pressured and bullied by a lot of the teachers during their time at this school. All this said, the school deserves credit for their academic students and education system, but I do honestly feel this will change with the new Red Hill High private school. Thank you for taking the time out to read this, I hope you take my points into consideration!"

"Fantastic 'family' - each and every child is an individual. Your child is just as special to them as he/she is to you."