Anyone looking at secondaries in Gloucestershire?

I forgot to say, go and look at any possibilities if you can, that may help confirm things one way or the other. We looked at two, Cleeve had a fantastic opening evening with lots of information, plenty of staff available, happy pupils, the other we looked at was completely the opposite in every respect.

If you're considering secondary schools, my DD actually went to Cleeve (although no one got in from Tewkesbury the year she joined). There was the odd moment with friends during her time there, but overall she was really happy, had a great relationship with the teachers and they totally supported her in every way possible, even the Head.

God it's all a bit of a nightmare isn't it

No, not really - because - and I mean this kindly - you have said your child is a possible grammar student. All of these schools mentioned will serve an able child well.

Churchdown is on the very last (3rd) page of that document but it doesn't have the distances as they rank their own admissions.

Barnwood had an open day/evening yesterday. The 2018 intake will be co-ed for the first time so that will halve the number of places for girls as they are aiming for an even split (obviously that depends on the number of applications they get).

On last year's statistics, we are in the admission area for Chosen Hill and I also come under Tewkesbury Council. The council borders are really odd here, where I live is split between two different councils!

We were also "on the edge" - Chosen Hill and Bournside are both catchment schools, another couple of streets one way Balcarras, another few the other way we would be in Tewkesbury district. School catchments round here are a bit of a lottery. We live on the "right side" of the A40.

Tewkesbury seems to have a priority feeder school arrangement, rather than a catchment (sorry, should have looked that up first). So I can see how e.g. if you attended a Tewkesbury feeder school, you could be close enough to Chosen Hill to be able to have a realistic chance of a place there but still have Tewkesbury as a viable option.

Otherwise I was a little confused by the geography, as I couldn't see how you could be within the Chosen catchment or admissions footprint, but also able to access Tewkesbury, about 10 miles away.

Furthest allocated distances for this year's admissions www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/13850/secondary-allocation-day-2017.pdf shows that the furthest admissions distance for Chosen Hill was 2.49 miles last year.

Barnwood Park was 11.49 miles.

Churchdown isn't published in that document. Tewkesbury had only 5 pupils admitted under distance (rather than e.g. catchment) criteria, so data isn't published.

I am a local music teacher so see kids from all of the schools, my own went to Stroud High - very pleased with yr 7 - 11 less so with 6th form and Ribston was on the whole probably the better experience very supportive staff, however Mrs Chong from Ribston has announced her retirement so changes are inevitable. Pates does tend to be very high pressured and I have had some kids that have been very overwhelmed by it all and others that are frankly over confident and Denmark I've had fewer students from but all seem fairly happy and contented. My only experience of Crypt I'd rather not go into the details on an open forum but I felt the follow up pastoral care that we received was next to appalling. If I were to do all this again the questions I would be asking at open days would have nothing to do with the quality of the education and extra curricula etc they all deliver on that. It would be pastoral care and mental health issues (not my kids but plenty of others and not just the grammars)

What ever you decide good luck x

Up and down the M5 and along the M4.

I've read this before about the elite of seven counties for Pate's and really can't figure out which seven that would be!

My DDs both go/went to Chosen hill - DD16 has moved to Tommies for her sixth form as she wasn't really stretched enough, she got decent enough GCSEs but could have done better. DD15 will probably stay there for 6th form - she is a different child - more driven. Pastoral care at Chosen is second to none. Really good supportive learning environment.

The open evening is next Thursday 28th (DD15 is a prefect so will be one of those showing families round). It is a very (VERY) busy open evening.

Open mornings are Tue26 and Thu28 - a much more civilised affair where you get to see the kids in situ.

You've got a fair list of schools, don't forget to look at the bus timetables to make sure they pick up in your area.

The HM at my DD's old school told us Pates take in the elite (obviously meaning very bright) from seven counties and he suggested Denmark Road. In the end she actually went to the local comp and got her A*/As there. I know you're not thinking secondary, and are probably aware being the area, but Tewkesbury hasn't got the best reputation for secondary.

Hi, I have heard a rumour that High School in Gloucester will look at taking boys in the future. Not sure, if this is true or not. We were considering High School for Girls but not so sure if the rumour is true and boys will be accepted. We might decide just to change option and go for Stroud High if the buses run to our area or opt for Crypt as it has an excellent reputation with boys and the buses run to our area.

Yeah, Bristol, Swindon - some children have a very long school day with the commute!

Girls from Bristol travel to the Gloucester grammars! Very wide catchment

Gloucestershire grammar schools have no catchment - if you score highly enough in the exam, it doesn't matter where you live. Some of the girls travel a VERY long way every day, many from different counties.

I think the mention of the Tewkesbury area and Gloucestershire grammars is a bit confusing for people OP, when in reality you can come under the Tewkesbury Council area and still be close to Gloucestershire schools.