Looking for very good, mixed, state school in South West, is there such a thing?

[Conundrumish]

Title says it all really. School round us are either single sex or not very good.

Thank you.

[AtYourCervix]

southwest is quite a big area.

[Kez100]

As this isnt boarding, what towns can you reasonably get to each day?

[Conundrumish]

Flexible on towns, DH distance commutes. Can do Somerset, Wilts, South Glos.

[AtYourCervix]

good ACADEMICALLY OR SOCIALLY AND PASTORALLY? GOOD MUSIC? ART? SPORT?

sorry caps not shouting.

[Kez100]

Ahhh not south west! I can help with Cornwall and Devon but they aren't included.

[Conundrumish]

Is Wilts/Avon/S'set/Glos not in South West? Where are they then?

Good academically, socially and pastorally. More Science/music than art & sport

[AtYourCervix]

it is still quite a big area. do you want city, town or village? transport links?

[AtYourCervix]

think kezm eant that she knows devon & cornwall which is further south west that the others. not that the others aren't south west, just less south west than devon and cornwall.

have you looked at ofstead?

[franticallyjugglinglife]

Private or state?

Wootton Bassett comp is an outstanding school. Malmesbury also good. Sheldon in chippenham pretty decent too. I don't know much about private schools in the area.. Marlborough college?

[BikeRunSki]

DH went to The Cotswold School in Bourton on the Water, near Cirencester and Stowe on the Wold.
Seemed excellent then from what he says, seems amazing now from what his mum and family friends say.

But probably not SW enough for you.

[Marne]

I'm in Dorset near a small town which has several good schools also close to somerset and wiltshire border. Is dorset too far out?

[AncientsOfMuMu]

The Castle School (comp), Thornbury, South Glos is an outstanding school. Easy commute to Bristol.

[Conundrumish]

Dorset possible. We are really just brainstorming and thinking of a total move, but still need to be in the SW for grandparents etc.

I didn't realise Wooten Basset school is good, though I have heard about Chippenham. Will have a look at Ofsted report Malmesbury as we don't know anyone there.

Thanks.

[AncientsOfMuMu]

Meant to add that Thornbury a nice town to live and also nice villages within catchment area. All within 10 mins of M4/M5.

[emsies]

Dorset is a beautiful part of the world to live :)

[thetasigmamum]

Course they are not in the South West! They are hundreds of miles from the South west. In fact they arepractically the midlands! :)

If you are considering Dorset then Colyton Grammar is the obvious answer, just over the border in East Devon. However it would be a risk moving down to this part of the world on the assumption your DC would get in.

[Ealingkate]

We are just about to move the Cotswolds from Ealing!! - Deer Park in Cirencester and Farmors in Fairford are both outstanding schools.

[DELHI]

Woodroffe in Lyme is outstanding state school, as is Holyrood in Chard- both very good.

[jgbmum]

Malmesbury is lovely, great school and the place is a very small market town, might be a bit quiet for teenagers, but easy enough to get bus to bigger centres, or the train station.

[Conundrumish]

Hmmm - will look at those, thank.

[grubbalo]

Thomas Hardye school in Dorchester, Dorset is outstanding - very good ofsted and great reputation. Also great feeder schools if you have younger children too.

[sailorsgal]

I've heared Budmouth in Weymouth is topping Thomas Hardye now. the discipline at Thomas Hardye isn't sopposed to be too hot either.

[Yellowstone]

Interesting recommendations.

[grubbalo]

League tables are definitely not everything but Thomas Hardye's results were far better in 2010 than Budmouth (78% vs 66% for gcse's, 845.9 vs 705.8 for a-level). Big school though and if I had non-academic children it would not be my first choice.

My experience with Hardye's has diminished over the last 3 years and it's very interesting what you have said re discipline. I know a new head is starting in September which will hopefully help.

[larry5]

Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton, Somerset is an outstanding school. The town is about 17 miles from Bristol and 8 miles from Bath. Has quite a large catchment area from villages between here and Bristol.