There's no chance of DS getting into a state infant school I'd be happy with. How do I start looking at the other options?

[TheSkiingGardener]

DS turns 2 in June, so this is a long term planning issue! Is there a single resource to look at when it comes to private/independent schools? I want to look at all our options and see what our choices are. It seems it's either move or go private unfortunately.

[LIZS]

You can look at Ofsted report for Early Years, IAPS and Independent Schools Reports but even they may not give you a full picture. tbh you need to get going fairly quickly now as some may already have waiting lists for Nursery/Reception entry although they may be fairly mobile until nearer the time, as some parents will register as a back up plan for their ideal state school. Make a shortlist and start going to open days.

[TalkinPeace2]

Depending exactly where you are, Highfield, Portswood, Hollybrook, Bitterne Park
or look outside the boundary into the Hampshire schools

private in town is limited
outside town there's Stroud, HCS, St Marys, Gregg

what is the problem with your local infant schools?
And remember that if you have a high Polish contingent, they will be GOOD for long term results as they work much harder than many of the locals

[TheSkiingGardener]

Thanks. We're in Ocean Village TalkInPeace2 and DS would go to the school on the St Mary's estate given the boundaries that are in place. I'll have a look at Stroud and HCS. St Mary's college I know and like the ethos. Not a chance he's going to Greggs. I used to work with school groups and it's amazing the way some schools behave. St Mary's were lovely, Greggs not so much.

I'll look up those links LIZS and see what there is. Thank you.

[TalkinPeace2]

Hmmm - from Ocean village your options are pretty limited.
Could you get across to St Johns in Castle Way? the stats are deceptive - its a very happy place ....
TBH if you are needing to live near moorings there are MUCH better places to be than central Soton - Hamble, Marchwood, Bucklers, Lymington spring to mind - the first two still easy run for the motorways...

[TalkinPeace2]

Funny, I was just racking my brains to think of what the state secondary was in the centre of Southampton to then track back to the infants schools
www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9664455.Radical_plans_to_deal_with_Southampton_s_rising_number_of_pupils/
no wonder I got stuck - there isn't one !

[TheSkiingGardener]

St Johns would be good, but it's oversubscribed and we're too far away.

As for secondary schools we don't seem to be in a catchment area for any of them! With them buillding the new flats in Ocean Village and Woolston the schools are going to be bursting at the seams.

We don't need to be near moorings, we moved here 6 years ago pre-dc intending to move again. Trouble is I like it here!

[eatyourveg]

Does King Edwards still exist or The Atherley? Both v good schools in my day (80s) db was at St Marys. The prep dept (Charlton) was across the road. Don't know primary schools sorry.

[EBDTeacher]

The Independent Schools Council website has a 'postcode search' feature. I would start with that to bring up all your options, then peruse the websites and download or order prospectus (prospectii- no idea whatthe plural is) for the ones you are interested in.

Most independents will be having open days in the coming term. Draw yourself up a schedule!

[TalkinPeace2]

KES still there
Atherley long gone - merged into HCS

OP's utterly real problem is that there is stoof all decent provision in town

OP feel free to PM me and I'll have a think - DH has worked at many of the schools in the area and we've lived here over 25 years

[TheSkiingGardener]

I would love to be in the position to draw up a schedule! Unfortunately there aren't many schools.

I think we're going to go and have a look at Charlton House and possibly Sherbourne House, although that's a long way away. Charlton House is localish and the kids were always a delight when I encountered them.

The problem seems to be there are good schools in places that I really don't want to live and no schools here.

Thanks for the offer TalkinPeace2. I may well take you up on that when I'm feeling a bit less depressed about the whole thing.

[TalkinPeace2]

ooh I'd forgotten sherborne - yup a good option
BUT from where you are, on a good day you are looking at 30 mins to SH or Stroud (even with the bridge back in at Romsey)
waterside - tend to go the HCS route
east of the Itchen - "cory" is more your expert there
depressing as it may seem, moving may have to be one of your options ....

[TheSkiingGardener]

Don't get the "cory" reference. Am I being dense?

Is there anything you think we should know about Charlton House/St Mary's? Or what is your general impression of it anyway?

[TalkinPeace2]

cory is a poster who lives in the east of southampton so is MUCH more clued up on options over the woolston bridge than I (my patch is romsey and forest ;-)

Charlton - don't know
st Marys = dd rides with a few kids from there but they are all secondary ...

[TheSkiingGardener]

Ah, I understand now. I wondered if there was a sinister meaning to your silence!

I think it may be Charlton House for a year or two to buy us some time. So much to think about in terms of careers, more kids, finances etc.

I really appreciate your advice, thank you. It's saved me a lot of time as I would never have believed provision was really that poor otherwise.

[cory]

How about Woolston Infants for the first few years? Both my children went there and were very happy. At least it gives you time to think.

[TheSkiingGardener]

Thanks Cory, I'll have a look.

[reetmavi123]

Hi
Please help me i am planning to get admission for my daughter in CHARLTON HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (St. Mary's Collage) she is 6.5yrs old and have ADHD and Speech Delay. Just want to check is this school good for Special Need kids?

Anjali Mavi

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

reetmavi - try starting your own thread with Charlton House in the title. You'll get more replies.