Portishead v Backwell

[CLD21982]

Portishead v Backwell2
Yesterday 15:49 CLD21982

Hi everyone,

I am considering moving to either Portishead or Backwell. They both have good secondary schools although Backwell is better.

Backwell looks very small though and I am concerned it is very sleepy and not so good for young children.

I am also looking at primary schools and am considering West Leigh Infants in Backwell or High Down Infants in Portishead. Does anyone have any knowledge of these schools?

Thanks in advance xx

[4point2fleet]

If you have the opportunity to use an outstanding secondary with only 400 kids in it, I would bite it's hand off.

[catndogslife]

I would say Backwell.
It's got better public transport links than Portishead as it's on the branch line between Weston super Mare and Bristol Temple Meads.
There is a leisure centre at Backwell with lots of facilities for families.

[Trampire]

Well they're both good schools, you're right.

I have friends who live in Portishead and Backwell.
Portishead is great for families. I often visit my friend there for a night out - meal/drink etc. I would say as a teenager there is perhaps slightly more places to go.
Backwell is a nice place. Slightly sleepier but still lots going on. Most of the people I know with teens at Backwell tend to hang out at house parties etc (this may just be my friends though )

I visited Backwell school when looking fur Secondary for my eldest dc. It's a great school but I personally found it slightly too large. I didn't click with the head either. Just personal taste though. Our Secondary is currently in a MAT with Backwell amoungst others now so there's a lot of cross over with ideas etc.

[CLD21982]

Thank you for your replies, they are very helpful.

[ksb76]

I would agree with the posters above - Backwell is way better served with public transport allowing teens easy access to Bristol. Portishead can also be a nightmare as there is just one road in and out, so as an adult commuter, something to think about. Can't comment re schools - grew up in the area but attended neither.

[CLD21982]

Tampere - Do you know anyone who has a child that goes to or went to High Down infant/primary? Thanks

[CLD21982]

Sorry Tampire - auto correct!

[Trampire]

Is that in Portishead? I'm not sure the name of the school my friends kids go to. I'll ask and get back to you.

[CLD21982]

There is no waiting list for High Down. I am not sure if that means it’s not a very good school although it seems ok from Ofsted and results.

[Trampire]

Sorry OP, my friend tells me her dcs are at St Peters. I've asked if she knows anyone at High Down.....

[namechange5000]

Name changed as I’ve got kids at Highdown.
We viewed all of the schools in Portishead and chose Highdown even though it wasn’t and still isn’t our closest primary.
I have nothing but praise for the school.
The infants school is rated outstanding and the junior school is rated good, but have made lots of big improvements over the past few years.
The school is lovely, caring, the EYFS in particular are incredible.
I know a fair few families that have moved to Highdown from other schools, in particular Trinity.
I would say that Portishead has more for kids/teenagers.
There’s subway, mac Donald’s, a new small skate ramp, clothes shops, there’s a cinema been proposed but lots of people opposing it, dominos pizza, Lake Grounds, youth club, loads and loads of toddler activities.
Busses into bristol are every 20 minutes and take around 40 minutes to get in.
A train line should be coming at some point but they’ve been saying this for years!
Anything else you need to know just ask!

[namechange5000]

The reason there is no waiting list for Highdown is because it primarily serves the top of Portishead.
There aren’t as many young families up the top as many people have owned there houses for 30+ years and their children are grown up.
In fact I’ve been looking to move to the top of Portishead for 5 years but nothing has been suitable.
The schools down the bottom especially around the village quarter are oversubscribed due to the vast amount of houses and families packed into a small area.

[CLD21982]

Thank you so much for your comments. That is really helpful.

[Hollowvictory]

Hi op
www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools&region=802&geographic=la&for=secondary

You can use this to compare schools. Backwell and gordano (portishead) are both well regarded. There is not a waiting list for some years at high down because they have a bulge class in some year groups, meaning 4 rather than 3 form entry. It's a large school with a large intake so may have spare places in some year groups.