peter symonds winchester views?

For goodness sake, do you think that all the great unwashed at Peter Symonds are rolling into Winchester high as kites in the wake of a swarm of drug dealers? Oh, ds regularly swigs a can of cider on a park bench at lunchtimes whilst his friends duff up a few locals as an extra-curricular activity. I don't think there's a single girl there who isn't pregnant but that doesn't matter as they're not very academically able anyway.

I'm not usually drawn into state/private debates but actually your comments are rather offensive. "Very private school" and "wrong sort of people" indeed. Have you ever been to Winchester?

OP. It is not too late to apply to Barton
The deadline to apply to Barton is 13th Feb.

There is another open evening on Thursday 30th April, so you could apply first, then look round afterwards. Not ideal but better than nothing. You lose nothing by applying.

Ds is there in Yr 12. I would say he is academic (mostly A*s) and quite quiet and rather geeky.

He has had some illness and I must say the college has been very good - his tutors very kind and offering catch up lessons.

One thing though is the volume of work. Ds is doing essay subjects, and he has to do a lot of work.

From ds's school, nearly all the brighter pupils went to PS. BP did a massive PR attack and I think gained quite a few more pupils from ds's school, but still ds said he would rather be with a generally more able group of students.

There was a big drugs raid at the beginning of the year so any problem behaviour seems to be stamped on quickly
Yup, it was a nice piece of set piece choreography.
DDs friends took selfies with the drug dogs

DS is there, previously home educated, but not in the least self motivated during home ed. He is doing level 2 courses this year, probably going on to A levels next year so not high flying at all.

He loves it, it is huge and you can't possibly know everyone but he very quickly found a friendship group and enjoys sparking his creativity off theirs, mucking around with photoshop and making videos. His experience of PSC seems very innocent compared to when I was there in the 80's. There was a big drugs raid at the beginning of the year so any problem behaviour seems to be stamped on quickly.

He's found his tutors friendly and approachable, 'cool' was his word - I translate. And he's suddenly self motivated, no nagging required.

If she gas Oxbridge aspirations she may be well served to move as those universities are keen to get their state intake up.

Oh yes, and applications for this September closed last month so I also have to assume you are looking for 2016

DD is at Symonds.
Its huge. You will not get to know everybody - same as at University.
She loves it.
There are kids in her classes who have come in from all the comps, from KES, from Swithuns, from WinCol, from Eton, from Churchers, from HCS, you name it.
If they are bright and self motivated they will be fine.
BUT
Symonds is not right for everybody.
TBH Barton Peverill is stronger for English and arty / languages stuff
remember that Colin Firth described his time at BP as the best years of his life.

Draylon
There are ten in DDs year who came in from Swithuns.
The point is that the college can offer subject combinations that the schools cannot.

Only limited hearsay knowledge here. I know one person from KE who is in first year at PS and getting on very well. But one anecdote does not make data!