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Original poster

Best state secondary schools in Hampshire and can we afford to live in catchment?

287 replies

NellyJames · 06/08/2020 12:39

We are relocating to Hampshire. DH needs to get back into London just 3 times a fortnight so commute not really an issue.
Our eldest will be finishing GCSEs when next DC moves into Y6. Youngest will move into Y4. So we’d like to be in catchment for an excellent senior school for the younger 2 and where older one can do Alevels. I understand there’s far less pressure on 6th form places.

2 snags: we need 5 bed as it’s very likely that infirm MIL will move in within a couple of years max (she has no property so can’t contribute)
We have a max budget of 700k which I know will limit choice in very expensive SE.
DH has suffered a mini breakdown and whilst work have been phenomenal with regards working from home on a permanent basis (he’s quite senior) he’s very keen to be near the coast. Not to live on the coast but to be able to access it within an hour or so.
But schools will really determine where we end up.

OP posts:
Murmurur · 07/08/2020 23:43

Yes Godalming or Alton sixth forms from Petersfield, with Godalming the slightly more academic I'm told.

Barton Peveril 6th form is in Eastleigh, has a rep of better pastoral care than Peter Symonds (though that's just hearsay) and takes some of the Thornden lot. But the schools really are all pretty good and I know loads of people who are firmly committed to neighbouring Crestwood or Toynbee over Thornden.

The most popular secondaries do fill up and the application date is early - October of Y6? - Hants LEA publishes a good set of admissions data so you can see which ones fill up.

In-year admissions can be problematic in primaries. They are very, very full in some areas so you are unlikely to get much choice.

Arnewood in the New Forest might be worth a look. Great access to the coast, school 6th form I believe, further on the train to London but the location might work for you all.

Eve · 07/08/2020 23:16

@SabrinaThwaite

Do the Falkland Islands still send their 6th Formers to Peter Symonds?
I believe so.
leafeater · 07/08/2020 21:33

A lot of teenagers in Petersfield travel into Godalming for sixth form at Godalming College.
It's really good and has a massive catchment.

SabrinaThwaite · 07/08/2020 21:30

Chichester High is now merged (so no benefit for girls), and Bishop Luffa is still religious. Plus I’m not sure OP’s budget would stretch to the right sort of house.

nicenames · 07/08/2020 21:20

By which I mean if you get two are girls. The church school is basically a free for all for anyone with good grades at 6th form level

nicenames · 07/08/2020 21:19

If you are c of e and relatively devoted or have girls, Chichester could work. Not by the sea but close enough to cycle / short drive. Property prices not cheap though

StateOfTheUterus · 07/08/2020 21:06

If you are Catholic then Oaklands in Purbrook is excellent, has a 6th form and is 20 minutes from the beach at Southsea.
St Edmunds in Portsmouth is also excellent, but also gives preference to Catholic applicants.

TeenPlusTwenties · 07/08/2020 20:57

Peter Symonds takes people from all over if they are willing to travel.
I expect on their website you can see where the buses run from.
It isn't unusual for people to travel an hour plus by bus for 6th form.

They have around 1500-2000 (yes 2000) in a year group.

Original poster
NellyJames · 07/08/2020 20:46

Thanks for all the comments.
Would we need to live in Winchester to get a place at Peter Symonds? I doubt we can afford to live there.

OP posts:
Mumtumwobble · 07/08/2020 19:59

How about Christchurch? It’s at the edge of Hampshire, but it’s lovely and Twynham high school a excellent. You get easy access to both the coast and New Forest.

SabrinaThwaite · 07/08/2020 19:54

Do the Falkland Islands still send their 6th Formers to Peter Symonds?

Eve · 07/08/2020 19:37

Peter Symonds is excellent, there is a good reason lots leave private education to do 6th form at it.

itsgettingweird · 07/08/2020 19:31

@chocolateoranges33

Bay House secondary and sixth form have some of the best results in Hampshire (especially the sixth form). Its in Gosport on the coast and you will definitely find a lovely 5 bed house in the Alverstoke area. Traffic getting out (it's on a peninsula) isnt great but is getting better, but it's a couple of minutes ferry ride to Portsmouth for the main train line into London and shopping at gunwgarf quays. Lots of green open spaces, lots of history and very safe for children. We love living here with the beach on our doorstep, great schools and away from the busyness of a large city.
Haha! Pretty much what I said and you are obviously just down road from me!

I was down beach this morning. Feel so lucky to have it on the doorstep!

cologne4711 · 07/08/2020 18:57

Sorry not Surrey, Berkshire!

cologne4711 · 07/08/2020 18:56

If you want a sixth form you could look at Yateley. I think it used to be in Surrey and thus has a sixth form. No station though, you'd have to drive.

I don't think the sixth form college issue is a problem though - I went to an 11-18 school as did DH so it was a new system for us, but ds is about to go into Y13 at a 6th form college and he likes it even with all the disruption there has been.

Ionacat · 07/08/2020 17:32

Lymington is lovely and within your budget. Schools are good there too. Sixth form college is Brockenhurst so a short train journey away.
Ringwood in the New Forest is also lovely and school is excellent with a sixth form but you’d have to drive to a train station.
However don’t discount areas because of no schools with sixth forms. The sixth form colleges are generally excellent and have significantly better resources than the schools and a much wider choice of post 16 options.

chocolateoranges33 · 07/08/2020 14:59

Bay House secondary and sixth form have some of the best results in Hampshire (especially the sixth form). Its in Gosport on the coast and you will definitely find a lovely 5 bed house in the Alverstoke area. Traffic getting out (it's on a peninsula) isnt great but is getting better, but it's a couple of minutes ferry ride to Portsmouth for the main train line into London and shopping at gunwgarf quays. Lots of green open spaces, lots of history and very safe for children. We love living here with the beach on our doorstep, great schools and away from the busyness of a large city.

Broomfondle · 07/08/2020 14:48

I grew up in Hampshire and think you've had some good recommendations, I just wanted to say don't tie yourself to the idea of a school that goes to sixth form, firstly because that's not the general system in Hants and secondly because your older DC will not want to drive your younger DC in, their time table will likely be completely different. Seems a fragile arrangement to base a school decision on.

Worakls · 07/08/2020 14:35

West Totton/Ashurst is nice. School is Hounsdown which has an excellent rep, although known for being academic so would depend on your children's preferences. Junior school is also excellent. Also close to Romsey if you preferred that secondary. And train direct to London, in the new forest and coast in 15/20 mins

Whathappenedtothelego · 07/08/2020 14:17

I have to say that if I wanted a big house and garden near a more bracing part of the coast, I'd be heading for Suffolk rather than Hampshire - there are still good schools to be found. Look at Debenham, Hartismere or Farlinghaye schools. You get a lot more house for your money, and can commute via Ipswich if it's not every day.

IndecentFeminist · 07/08/2020 13:31

Christchurch? Twynham is good.

Original poster
NellyJames · 07/08/2020 13:30

Thanks everyone. As mentioned, we don’t really need to be able to commute to London. DH will go in once a week at most and even then he won’t need to be there for 9 so a 2hour journey would be fine.
@cologne4711, it doesn’t seem to go far when we need 5 useable bedrooms.

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 07/08/2020 12:11

Worthing is about 1.5 hrs by train to London and is on the coast, so could be worth a look?

EasilyDelighted · 07/08/2020 11:23

Fleet is too far from the coast IMO. You've either got to go through the busy Aldershot/Farnborough route and cross country to the A3 or all the way down the m3 which is a long way round.