Secondary schools in Leyland and Bamber Bridge

[kat2350]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have any experiences with Balshaw's Church of England High School or Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High School?

We are looking at relocating to Bamber Bridge or Leyland area and was wondering if anyone could share their experiences/opinions about these 2 schools?

Would greatly appreciate. Thank you.

[CalleighDoodle]

Or you catholic or anglican?

[kat2350]

@CalleighDoodle we are catholic, but I have worked in church of England schools myself and I believe secondary schools accept catholic students, so it doesn't matter really.

[kat2350]

I've forgotten about this school: Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy..

[FleeBee]

Balshaws is very over subscribed & you possibly won't get I from Bamber Bridge. I'd recommend Leyland St Marys it's a catholic school which has really turned around & has a new head in place. I don't know much about the Bamber Bridge schools though.

[Ilikesweetpeas]

I have experience of Bishops, it's an excellent school. I have heard good things about both of the others also. PM me if you want to know more about Bishops. Look carefully into catchment though, it's very oversubscribed and you may also need a church reference

[kat2350]

@FleeBee do you know anyone from Leyland's St Marys High School maybe? I have looked at this school, however some reviews online put me off sadly..

[kat2350]

@Ilikesweetpeas thank you for reply. I've sent a private message.

[CalleighDoodle]

It does matter as it will put you further down the list for admissions.

Ive a teacher colleague whose children are ks4 at brownedge and i know staff there. They say positive things about it.

I know staff at leyland st mary’s too and they are very positive about it.

If you're going to try out of catchment, id have a pop at all hallows penwortham.

[FleeBee]

Leyland St Marys is an excellent school. I disregarded all online stories, spoke to staff including the new head. Plenty of positive stories from current students & parents. Look round it, I was very surprised & impressed.

You do need church reference for for Bishops & it is over subscribed

[kat2350]

@FleeBee thank you for your reply. I guess that is what I should do, ignore the online stories.

[FleeBee]

The truth is it did have plenty of problems in the past & they are open about that, this might be where negative online stories have come from.
So much has changed & improved, the new leadership team are positive & enthusiastic. I hope you do get to look round.
Good luck in your search for a school that suits you and your DC

[Springboard]

My dad went to Balshaws! This was in the mid 1940s, it was a grammar school then. He's 87 now, has fond memories of it. He had a maths teacher who set him on the path for what became his career.
I know that's no help to you at all @kat2350

[Lonpob]

I completed my PGCE placement at Brownedge St Mary's, and it had a lovely ethos. As a smaller school, it really seemed like the staff knew all the students individually and the senior leadership team had a real presence around school and genuine and supportive interest in what was going on in classrooms.

[Sodamncaughtinthemiddle]

Brownedge St Mary's isn't great. Its better than It was but it's a not a school I would pick.
All Hallows is great Its in Penwortham but has bus stops all over bamber bridge and surrounding areas
Walton le Dale High is also near Bamber Bridge but again not great
Leyland st Mary's is meant to be ok.

[kat2350]

@Springboard maybe no help, but it is definitely nice to hear stories like these :)

[kat2350]

@Sodamncaughtinthemiddle thank you so much for your comment, I appreciate your honesty. I know it depends on the person's experiences and views but I do need to hear both, positive and negative opinions. High school is such an important decision in my opinion and it is child's 5 years of life and a preparation for further education.

[scarecrowfeet]

Bishops is the best of the ones you mentioned. If you're looking around Buckshaw you may also fall into the Chorley catchment for St Michaels or Holy Cross.

[CalleighDoodle]

I wouldnt consider walton le dale at all...

[CalleighDoodle]

St michaels will need very regular church attendance from year 5. Might even be year 4.

Holy cross is lovely. I was considering moving to brinscall, and that would have been my first choice school for dc.

[Ilikesweetpeas]

I've replied to your pm about Bishop Rawstorne and tried to send you a link which I don't think worked. Here it is again! It's helpful because you can compare value added and results from 2019 whereas some ofsted reports are very out of date

www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables

[cptartapp]

I have two DC at All Hallows. It's been great. Oversubscribed though.

[kat2350]

@ scarecrowfeet @CalleighDoodle thank you so much for mentioning Holy Cross and St Michaels. For some reason, we haven't considered Chorley. We are in a position to move and are quite flexible thankfully, but have no idea why I didn't look at Chorley. Does anyone live in Chorley or surrounding villages?

[CalleighDoodle]

Ive Literally just come off rightmove looking at brinscall again . Rightmove is my only hobby. Sadly nothing of interest atm.

[scarecrowfeet]

I do op

[kat2350]

@CalleighDoodle same at the moment with rightmove