A Tale of Two Cities, One Family and One School The Collection 2020

A Tale of Two Cities, One Family and One School.

Buying a new house in a new city is a momentous decision in any person’s life. There are often multiple factors to consider, a property wish list to manage and a budget to adhere to. Selecting your child’s first school can be similarly challenging. Is it in a good location? How large is the playground? Is there sufficient parking? Does it give you the right ‘feeling’?! For Simon and Claire Robinson a move from London to Norwich, closer to Claire’s family, was an easy decision and, to their great surprise, the choice of a School for their two children was equally as straightforward. ‘The feeling’, said Claire, hit her from the moment she entered the School’s grounds.

Claire and Simon had already viewed a number of schools in London before looking in Norwich. They found that whilst the price point was extremely high, the London based schools’ access to facilities and green space was limited. Their tour of Town Close School in Norwich was a welcome contrast; ‘I remember sitting in the Green Room at the School waiting for our tour and looking out over the front lawn, with the sunshine flooding through the windows. My immediate thought was that, if I was a child, I would want to come to school here’. A tour of the swimming pool, the sports hall, the numerous playgrounds, the Woodland Walk and the Read Hall Performance Hall only confirmed her initial impression. Their priorities were very clear: they wanted space for their children to play and explore, and a diverse and inspiring curricular and extra-curricular offering. Town Close offers all these things and more and, moreover, it is located in a prime location in the city of Norwich that is ideal for working families.

Claire and Simon’s son, Beaumont, joined the School in September in one of the three Reception classes. ‘Beau absolutely loves school. At pick up he is often still so engaged with a classroom activity that it is hard to get him away! He loves how interactive and imaginative the lessons are and the level of storytelling that underlies all of his learning but his greatest love has to be the food!’ Town Close is very proud of its commitment to homemade, family centric lunches that focus on giving the children a healthy, balanced diet, whilst snacks are provided morning and afternoon to maintain energy levels and focus. The lunches, snacks and trips are all included within the listed termly fees. ‘Beau is quite tired by the end of the day so it is sometimes difficult to get a lot out of him about what he has been up to but, without fail, he will always remember what he ate for his lunch!’

A key consideration in Claire and Simon’s move was location and their new home’s proximity to the School: ‘We wanted to be able to cycle or walk to the children’s school and into the city. Our house and the School are in a fantastic part of Norwich which allows us to do this.’ A lot of Town Close families do walk and cycle to school but the School also operates a parent parking and drop off system that is unique to the area and gives parents the opportunity to be able to park inside the School grounds in the morning and afternoon, as well as the chance to drop or collect their children from the playground if they are in a hurry. ‘The system gives parents options which is really important when you are trying to juggle work and family life. It also takes a lot of the stress out of the school run!’

Claire and Simon both work in creative industries with Simon commuting back to London to manage his music consultancy business and Claire sharing a city centre studio space with other local artists. ‘The move back to Norwich had to work for work too,’ Simon said; ‘I commute into London on a Monday and stay over for a couple of nights to focus on work but then have the opportunity to work from home for the rest of the week. On these days in Norwich I love having the chance to take the children into school, speak to the teachers and meet the other parents.’ Claire has found Norwich a fantastic base for her work: ‘There is a thriving artistic community in Norwich with plenty of galleries and exhibitions. It has been great to meet other artists and work in an inspiring, collaborative environment. There are also lots of cafes, bars and restaurants around the city so there is also a general buzz which makes it a fun place to live and work in.’

The School helps parents juggle their working day and existing commitments by providing after school care, extending the school day until 6pm. ‘We haven’t needed to use after school care yet but we know a lot of parents who do. In fact, Beau keeps asking to go as a lot of his friends use it and love it. It’s great to know it is there should you need it and as they get older we will definitely make use of it, particularly once Rae has started.’ Claire and Simon’s daughter Isla-Rae is registered to join the School’s Nursery in 2021: ‘Rae is already itching to start and feels so confident around the space. The Nursery looks so inviting with so many outdoor areas; it is also lovely that the School do dance, swimming and music with the children as part of their weekly activities.’

What has proved equally inviting is the parent body at Town Close. ‘We wanted a school that was relaxed and friendly for the children and that would also give us, as parents, a local network of friends.’ The School’s PTA is very active with a number of events throughout the year that bring parents together; there are also daily opportunities to meet and have a chat: ‘The School’s open door policy is fantastic: we get to see Beau’s teacher every morning and afternoon and we also see all the other parents regularly. We have already made some close friendships and everyone has been very welcoming.’ Whilst the Pre Prep has its own buildings and playground, the School is very cohesive with the Prep School, with the older children helping at break time and the Pre Prep regularly visiting the Prep Library, the Sports Hall and the Read Hall performance space. Children tend to stay at the School through to Year 8. ‘The Headmaster’s weekly newsletter is great because it gives all the parents an insight into what is going on in the wider School. It is lovely to read what Beau and Rae have to look forward to in the years ahead.’

So, has the move proved a success? ‘Norwich is such a friendly place to live with plenty going on. We are getting out more in the fresh air, enjoying the beach and the countryside.’ And the School? ‘We were always aware of Town Close as an Independent Prep School and its fantastic reputation so we were very confident in our choice. But it has exceeded our expectations; the children really don’t know how lucky they are!’

Buying a new house in a new city is a momentous decision in any person’s life. There are often multiple factors to consider, a property wish list to manage and a budget to adhere to. Selecting your child’s first school can be similarly challenging. Is it in a good location? How large is the playground? Is there sufficient parking? Does it give you the right ‘feeling’?! For Simon and Claire Robinson a move from London to Norwich, closer to Claire’s family, was an easy decision and, to their great surprise, the choice of a School for their two children was equally as straightforward. ‘The feeling’, said Claire, hit her from the moment she entered the School’s grounds.

Claire and Simon had already viewed a number of schools in London before looking in Norwich. They found that whilst the price point was extremely high, the London based schools’ access to facilities and green space was limited. Their tour of Town Close School in Norwich was a welcome contrast; ‘I remember sitting in the Green Room at the School waiting for our tour and looking out over the front lawn, with the sunshine flooding through the windows. My immediate thought was that, if I was a child, I would want to come to school here’. A tour of the swimming pool, the sports hall, the numerous playgrounds, the Woodland Walk and the Read Hall Performance Hall only confirmed her initial impression. Their priorities were very clear: they wanted space for their children to play and explore, and a diverse and inspiring curricular and extra-curricular offering. Town Close offers all these things and more and, moreover, it is located in a prime location in the city of Norwich that is ideal for working families.

Claire and Simon’s son, Beaumont, joined the School in September in one of the three Reception classes. ‘Beau absolutely loves school. At pick up he is often still so engaged with a classroom activity that it is hard to get him away! He loves how interactive and imaginative the lessons are and the level of storytelling that underlies all of his learning but his greatest love has to be the food!’ Town Close is very proud of its commitment to homemade, family centric lunches that focus on giving the children a healthy, balanced diet, whilst snacks are provided morning and afternoon to maintain energy levels and focus. The lunches, snacks and trips are all included within the listed termly fees. ‘Beau is quite tired by the end of the day so it is sometimes difficult to get a lot out of him about what he has been up to but, without fail, he will always remember what he ate for his lunch!’

A key consideration in Claire and Simon’s move was location and their new home’s proximity to the School: ‘We wanted to be able to cycle or walk to the children’s school and into the city. Our house and the School are in a fantastic part of Norwich which allows us to do this.’ A lot of Town Close families do walk and cycle to school but the School also operates a parent parking and drop off system that is unique to the area and gives parents the opportunity to be able to park inside the School grounds in the morning and afternoon, as well as the chance to drop or collect their children from the playground if they are in a hurry. ‘The system gives parents options which is really important when you are trying to juggle work and family life. It also takes a lot of the stress out of the school run!’

Claire and Simon both work in creative industries with Simon commuting back to London to manage his music consultancy business and Claire sharing a city centre studio space with other local artists. ‘The move back to Norwich had to work for work too,’ Simon said; ‘I commute into London on a Monday and stay over for a couple of nights to focus on work but then have the opportunity to work from home for the rest of the week. On these days in Norwich I love having the chance to take the children into school, speak to the teachers and meet the other parents.’ Claire has found Norwich a fantastic base for her work: ‘There is a thriving artistic community in Norwich with plenty of galleries and exhibitions. It has been great to meet other artists and work in an inspiring, collaborative environment. There are also lots of cafes, bars and restaurants around the city so there is also a general buzz which makes it a fun place to live and work in.’

The School helps parents juggle their working day and existing commitments by providing after school care, extending the school day until 6pm. ‘We haven’t needed to use after school care yet but we know a lot of parents who do. In fact, Beau keeps asking to go as a lot of his friends use it and love it. It’s great to know it is there should you need it and as they get older we will definitely make use of it, particularly once Rae has started.’ Claire and Simon’s daughter Isla-Rae is registered to join the School’s Nursery in 2021: ‘Rae is already itching to start and feels so confident around the space. The Nursery looks so inviting with so many outdoor areas; it is also lovely that the School do dance, swimming and music with the children as part of their weekly activities.’

What has proved equally inviting is the parent body at Town Close. ‘We wanted a school that was relaxed and friendly for the children and that would also give us, as parents, a local network of friends.’ The School’s PTA is very active with a number of events throughout the year that bring parents together; there are also daily opportunities to meet and have a chat: ‘The School’s open door policy is fantastic: we get to see Beau’s teacher every morning and afternoon and we also see all the other parents regularly. We have already made some close friendships and everyone has been very welcoming.’ Whilst the Pre Prep has its own buildings and playground, the School is very cohesive with the Prep School, with the older children helping at break time and the Pre Prep regularly visiting the Prep Library, the Sports Hall and the Read Hall performance space. Children tend to stay at the School through to Year 8. ‘The Headmaster’s weekly newsletter is great because it gives all the parents an insight into what is going on in the wider School. It is lovely to read what Beau and Rae have to look forward to in the years ahead.’

So, has the move proved a success? ‘Norwich is such a friendly place to live with plenty going on. We are getting out more in the fresh air, enjoying the beach and the countryside.’ And the School? ‘We were always aware of Town Close as an Independent Prep School and its fantastic reputation so we were very confident in our choice. But it has exceeded our expectations; the children really don’t know how lucky they are!’