Secondary schools in and around Penarth

[wewereliars]

Does anyone have any recent experience of St Cyres Comprehensive in Penarth?

[EMWales123]

I don't understand

[EMWales123]

Hi, I'm very sorry. I had a mix up when signing up for mumsnet and didn't realise it would post my "I don't understand" comment here.

@wewereliars, please could I ask whether you found out much useful information about St Cyres? We live in penarth but are considering moving to Dinas Powys to get a bigger garden but I am a bit worried that St Cyres doesn't have as good a name as Stanwell

[wewereliars]

Stanwell is the better school on paper, but is very big. I think the catchment area is more affluent and of course success breeds success.

I am moving to Sully later this year and my daughter is in year 8 and I could not get her in, although I appealed.

St Cyres looks ok. I spoke to the head of year and it seems fine. I have a place for my daughter and hope to take it up, other issues allowing.

[GreenSalon]

I don’t know if you’ll get much of an answer here as I haven’t ever really seen/read many posters from the relevant areas over the years here - could be wrong!
I don’t have any info that would help but was considering sending my youngest there for year 7 this year as he is has DCD/ADHD and I know they have a reputation for being able to support neuro diversity or ALN but decided to send him to Stanwell as older siblings are there. We live in DP though so know lots who attend St Cyres. The facilities are excellent though aren’t they? Sorry I can’t help more but perhaps someone else can.

[EMWales123]

Hi @GreenSalon, thank you for your reply. When you say you decided to send them to stanwell, how did you get them in? Was it difficult to do when living in Dinas rather than Penarth? If you don't mind me asking, did your children go to DP junior or St Andrew's?

[EMWales123]

Also @GreenSalon, do you find lots for kids to do in DP? I'm worried that there is much less to do there than in Penarth. I grew up in Dinas (many years ago) and always preferred Penarth but big gardens are hard to come by in Penarth

[GreenSalon]

@EMWales123 I’ve private messaged you

[SRAGs]

Hello,

I am fingers crossed moving to Penarth before the end of the year. Commenting on this thread @wewereliars @emwales123 @greensalon because I cannot see any other upto date threads.

There are many dependent factors schools being one of the top three.

As I have three daughters needing a school place. One secondary and two in primary. This scares the life out of me as I can see the house is in the catchment for what I am gathering are all the over subscribed schools. I have read st cyres report which critiques the leadership. Appreciate its a couple of years old and there is a head in place. So would be greatful to hear if things have changed significantly?

I would love more info on area, things to do and best ways to settle into this new community if that has been your experience (appreciate it might not)

Thank you

[EMWales123]

Hi @SRAGs, I haven't been able to find much information myself. We are parents to be with a house in the stanwell catchment and I'm therefore nervous to leave it ,having read the same report you did. Penarth is lovely and people are very friendly. If you google things to do in penarth you'll find loads. Please do let me know if you find any further useful st Cyres info

[SRAGs]

Thanks for this @EMWales123 hope I didn't worry you further. Schools can have such a quick turn around in my experience with good/consistent leadership. Looks like there is a permanent team in place so it will probably look like a very different school to the one you see now. For young ones gardens are lovely so I hear your conundrum. X

[therealhoppityvoosh]

Does anyone have experience of a child in St Cyres catchment getting a place at Stanwell? Sorry to resurrect this old thread but I thought some of you might have some insights you could share.