Rosie San José and her children Ana, 10, Nicholas, nine, and Esther, six, relocated to Gloucestershire in the summer of 2024 when her husband, Christian, took up the headship at Wycliffe College in August. Rosie is a qualified English teacher and writer and works as the interim Prep School admissions manager at Wycliffe.
SoGlos sat down for a chat with her and the children to find out how they’re settling in at their new school, what it’s like to attend Wycliffe Prep and their advice for young people moving or starting a new school.
What prompted your family’s decision to relocate to Gloucestershire and were the whole family involved in the discussion?
We loved living in North Yorkshire where Christian was deputy head at Giggleswick school. It was such a beautiful place, but we felt ready for our next adventure and a new challenge, as well as wanting to move back down south to be nearer family.
The children only found out about the plan to relocate once Christian had been offered the Wycliffe headship, but I was very much a part of the process. We just knew it was the right thing to do as a family at this moment in time.
What did you like about Wycliffe College and the Prep that you helped your decision to move? Did anything stand out?
Of all the schools I have lived in, worked in and studied in myself, Wycliffe does stand out. What makes it special is its absolute authenticity and truly grounded nature. It feels tolerant, warm and homely. I love the way the staff and pupils interact here, and the genuine warmth felt in every part of the school. Wycliffe is very much on the same wavelength as us as a family.
Christian and I want our children to be challenged and stretched at school; we want their curiosity and creativity fuelled by inspiring lessons and interesting activities. Wycliffe attracted us as parents because it does this well.
How did your children feel about moving to a new school in a new area? Did they have any concerns, or were they excited about the change?
It is always hard to move schools, at any age, because you have to leave lovely friends behind. We were all apprehensive, but excited to at the same time.
Ana was sad not to have Year 6 in her old school as she would have been the top year group. But she really loves being a Year 6 in a prep school that goes to Year 8. She says the things she is doing in subjects like science, art and maths are much more advanced and varied here.
Can you describe your first impressions of Stonehouse and the surrounding area? How does it compare to where you lived before?
There are so many beautiful walks round here. We love taking our dog to Woodchester Mansion or up on to the commons — and I am amazed at seeing kingfishers along our stretch of canal every time we go down there. So, although we miss the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, this feels like a good alternative.
Stroud and Stonehouse are friendly open-minded places and people are very welcoming. Nailsworth and Tetbury are lovely for shopping and coffees! I would say we feel very at home in this area as I grew up near Malmesbury in Wiltshire.
What has the transition been like for your children? Did the school offer any support to help them settle in?
The staff were so kind and helpful before we even started. They are always ready to help with questions and worries we had. The children’s form tutors really ‘knew’ them from so early on. This personal, warm start has helped all three fit in and feel confident quickly at Wycliffe.
A lovely thing that happens at Wycliffe Prep is expedition days. These are an opportunity for the class to bond and be together on some kind of outdoor adventure trip — Ana loved going cycling with the rest of Year 6 last term.
How would you describe the community at the prep school?
Creative, supportive, ambitious and down to earth.
I am blown away by the variety of interesting things going on here. The clubs on offer are amazing — ranging from a Harry Potter fan club to a chemistry club of explosions and potion making, to squash, basketball, fencing, chess — the list goes on.
Esther is doing forest school, swimming, ballet and music lessons all as part of her normal school week. Ana is in orchestra and choir. Nicholas has thrown himself into all the sports on offer here and is loving being a lead part in his Year 4 play.
I love hearing what they have been up to each day and I so admire the staff who make it all so engaging and fun.
What do you feel Wycliffe offers to families that makes it stand out?
All the things I’ve just mentioned, but mostly the way Wycliffe makes sure your child feels known and valued as an individual. This is a school that has high expectations and big ambitions for all children of all ability levels.
What advice would you give to other families considering prep school and do you have any tips for a smooth transition?
It is a huge decision to invest in prep school education, but I have seen the way my children have developed even in a few months at Wycliffe. They have discovered new passions and learnt new skills. Nicholas wants to join the unbeaten chess squad next. Esther has grown in confidence so much through speaking in assemblies to large audiences. I really recommend you come and have a look around Wycliffe and see it in action.
What do your children like best about Wycliffe and what’s their favourite thing to do at school?
They all love the exceptionally well-stocked library; the food is also a big hit; and the amount and variety of sport is another. They genuinely struggle to choose options from the long list of clubs on offer as they want to do them all.
As a Year 6, Ana attends optional Saturday school. I thought she might find this tough, but she absolutely loves it. It’s called The Wycliffe Discovery Programme and it is a series of enriching extracurricular units like entrepreneurship, sculpting and STEM workshops.
Is there anything you would like to see Wycliffe develop further once Christian has settled into his headship?
We just want to make more people aware of how fantastic this school is. We want to engage with local communities and families and have more visitors coming to experience what we have going on here: the plays, the concerts or other fun gatherings.
At our last school we had an annual dog show — people came from far and wide — perhaps we could set one of those up!
Christian and I are actually hosting drinks and canapés for local parents who might be curious about Wycliffe for their children. We plan to be at a number of venues in the coming months, starting with one in Tetbury, at The Close Hotel from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 27 February 2025; and then at Juliet Restaurant in Stroud from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
For more information on Wycliffe College or the Prep School, visit wycliffe.co.uk or call (01453) 820470.
