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

I live in one of the towns mentioned. Not near the sea although a 40 minute drive in a good day but in a few minutes I’m out on the hills barely seeing anyone and quiet. The schools are fab and both secondaries get their fair share of 9s and the sixth form college sends to Oxbridge, Russell group as well as other places. The pace of life is different - I can’t go just for quick trip to the supermarket- you bump into people and you have a quick chat. There is so much going on and a real community feel. Someone posted on our Facebook page about moving to our town and should they and within minutes was inundated with people saying how fantastic it was and offering help/to meet up when they had finally settled.

I grew up in commutersville in Kent, did the pressurised grammar system but I’m so glad we didn’t decide to stay there - my kids are very happy and I wouldn’t now want to live anywhere else. Lots of kids either walk/cycle or if they live further out get the school buses. It would be unusual for an elder sixth form sibling to take them. My DD will start walking to and from school by herself in sept - year 5 either from ours or the childminder.

purple
fair enough
it may have changed
I know several families who live waterside (because the houses are cheap) and sent their kids up to HCS

Listening I'm not sure they do.
Both my girls are there (now Embley) in senior and prep and I only know of 1 other pupil from the waterside area. Most are from the other side Salisbury way or Winchester.

@NellyJames

Stokes Bay / Alverstoke sounds like it might be right for you, but do check houses/catchment areas. You might also like to consider Hill Head, just further down the other side of Lee on Solent. (The catchment then would be Crofton I think.) We have friends in both and they are lovely. We live just north of Fareham and have the fields nearby, its about a 15-20 min drive to the sea from here. Swanmore as someone else mentioned would be the catchment school (although mine are not there!)

My eldest started yr 7 last Sept and we have friends in pretty much all of the local schools so we have an idea about how they've all been during lockdown and the general feel at the moment. It very much depends on what you want from a school as to which one to go for.

The people I've met through work who do the commute on the Gosport ferry wouldn't have it any other way.. much like the Isle of Wighters. Of course it helps to have a job where you can work from home..but they rave about the quality of life. One even lives on a boat in the marina.

Purple
yup. Lots of their kids come from Applemoor and Noadswood catchments ...

Listening HCS the school?

Romsey is a half hour easy drive away from a beach (but through the forest, with horses and donkeys!) but agree it is lovely way of life with good schools (and beautiful walks).

For me, the Fareham area is too built up generally so I prefer West Hampshire. I agree there are some lovely pockets though.

@NellyJames

Be careful there is a lot of difference between ending up in Alverstoke and ending up in Gosport

I grew up in Stubbington/Lee on Solent and still have friends there - one friend had an amazing house right on Stokes Bay (Alverstoke) front on Palmerston Way and still tempted to move back

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81398839.html

But yes be wary of Brune Park and Bridgemary

Crofton the Stubbington school isnt sixth form either

Christchurch

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72417684.html

I think one of the key attractions for me , especially when my three boys were growing up and now all of my local grandchildren , is the closeness to a coastline. Easy to do spur of the moment , or short, quick visits, walks etc without a drive. I’m 3/4 mile away so a walk or 2 minute drive throughout the year.
Not sure it would be the same if I was say half an hour drive away.
Lots of the coastal areas mentioned are absolutely beautiful.
We like Chichester, Langston, Petersfield, Emsworth, Christchurch, Romsey, Witterings, and the New Forest.

I have to disagree with purple
The waterside schools are what keeps HCS full of students
and the transport from there to Symonds or Barton is a pig

much easier from the Fareham train line
and driving to Symonds is not easy - at least the parking there isn't

Following your updates, I really wouldn't go for Winchester / Chandlers Ford / Romsey since as lovely as the area is and as good as the schools are, it really doesn't meet the level of nearness to the sea you want. We aren't 'coastal' in any sense.

Everyone on this thread has talked about such lovely places! I’ve always felt lucky to live here ( moved 42 years ago after leaving university in the midlands) but even more so today!
Just off to the beach for a couple of hours and will return tonight for the sunset
Shall we all send you some photos of our area?

Hythe area would be perfect for you. There is a marina and it's on the edge of the new forest, all walking distance. There is also lepe and calshot beaches 10 minute drive away. If you drive out into the forest there are beautiful beaches key haven, Milford on sea. There is a ferry from hythe that takes you into Southampton which is fun so you also have the city on your doorstep and the commute to Southampton station is 20-30 mins.

There are a few good schools in the area but not 6th form as far as I'm aware. But your close to both Peter symonns and Brockenhurst college.

@NellyJames I think there are so many good schools in the area that actually you need to figure out what it is you want and then match to the area/school

I would say you have an area stretching between Southampton/Winchester/Petersfield/Portsmouth as a starting point to explore and figure out what you like

I know you say you want your oldest to drive the youngest but I think that is not necessary - Peter Symonds for example would be perfect for him (and lots commute on a train from it I have friends who went there from Fareham/Stubbington) as he would be joining at the same time as everyone else.

Lots of space for your money!

Bassett on the edge of Southampton is worth looking at as you get lots of space money, i.e. garden, peaceful. 35 mins drive to the New Forest coast or Farehamm beaches, big woods and green space on the doorstep. Good bike rides including off road. Kids on the Chilworth side usually go to Mountbatten and Peter Symonds or Peverill. Girls could go on the bus into town to St Anne's which is outstanding and has a sixth form. Southampton Parkway is a ten minute drive.

Also look at Chandlers Ford and nearby villages I.e. for Thorden. Kids go to Peter Symonds for 6th form.

NellyJames
When you come down, have a meal on the terrace of the Osborne View and your search will be ended

@NellyJames

I love the area between Portsmouth and Southampton it is where I grew up

So do you need to be closer to

Beach or Wood
How important are transport links (Alverstoke is amazing but does very much rely on a car)
Do you need to be near a station to get into London or would a bus work or a drive to a station
Do you want a village/town or even more rural feel

I grew up in Stubbington and have always dreamt about moving to Stokes Bay Beach and Alverstoke.

I agree though with renting first - somewhere like Fareham would be a good starting point to get a feel for what area around there you like and whether you want to be more the beach end or the meon valley way (for the woodlands) and check out the local schools. And check out proper travel links