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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:
Knittingnanny · 10/08/2020 09:08

You might be better off renting first to get a feel for whichever area you choose, then take your time looking for a house to buy.

WindFlower92 · 09/08/2020 23:11

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/55613605?search_identifier=3f5907db4aa6a3c7a1c6def6ee06e730

Don't know if that first link worked!

WindFlower92 · 09/08/2020 23:10

Horndean - great secondary school and links to good sixth forms

sale/details/55613605?search_identifier=3f5907db4aa6a3c7a1c6def6ee06e730

Titchfield - bus to Fareham then train to London

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/55616377?search_identifier=a9ab8604d4de5c23da1b2496da372c41

Cams Hill - near Fareham
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/54933244?search_identifier=79cd7589d707b2ea8a2a3d545495b068

Lougle · 09/08/2020 22:41

@EasilyDelighted

I would have a look at Wickham, Bishop's Waltham, Waltham Chase. A lot of people I know have been happy with Swanmore school (secondary, no 6th form), the surrounding countryside is lovely, you aren't far from the beaches at Hill Head and Lee-on-the-Solent and you could drive up to Alton (30-40 mins) to catch the train once a fortnight. Not sure about property prices though.
I have a DD at Swanmore and another joining in September. They have been extremely good over the lockdown period and I've been really impressed by how much effort the teachers have made to connect with the children in that time.

A lot of parents dislike the 'hub' approach, but all the local schools have them and, to be honest, the way to stay out of the hub is to follow the rules. Since the early implementation, children with SN seem to be sent to O-block (SN area) rather than the hub, if they misbehave.

leafeater · 09/08/2020 22:37

But schools in Emsworth? Are you just looking at Bourne or Warblington?

Pinkmug · 09/08/2020 22:34

Hampshire is full of woods! You could try the New Forest, e.g. Highcliffe or Brockenhurst, Romsey, Ringwood and surrounding villages which are not far to a beach. There are currently 5 bed 700K houses on the market in Alresford and Ropley which all have good schools, nice walks. Also Hayling Island. The Botley area is also nice. And Emsworth.

Good schools that I can think of:
Kings,
Thornden,
Wildern
Mountbatten and The Romsey School
John Hanson
The Petersfield School

Honestly though, there really are lots of good school in Hampshire.

OrangeCinnamon1 · 09/08/2020 22:08

I'll meet you at The Ship Inn for some Chips ;-)

CarolEffingBaskin · 09/08/2020 21:40

I’ll second Langstone! But also, going to plug Emsworth again ;)

SabrinaThwaite · 09/08/2020 21:32

Aldwick has some nice properties (and you can look out for Robert Smith from The Cure).

LittleBearPad · 09/08/2020 21:32

Petersfield’s neither one thing nor the other though. A faff to the sea and a bit meh.

LittleBearPad · 09/08/2020 21:31

[quote OrangeCinnamon1]@LittleBearPad have you done the Thorney Island Walk? I've only ever done part of it ..it does require some organisation because-MOD- but apparently when the tides out there is a massive sandy beach at the point.[/quote]
I haven’t. We always stuck to the Mill Pond but it looks good - maybe next time I’m down 😀

OP - Langstone could also be an option.

leafeater · 09/08/2020 21:26

To be honest, for real coast and not harbour, you need to be west of Portsmouth and east of wittering. The harbour is lovely but not really crashing waves.

If you want to be on the coast, you could look at Felpham or Climping, but connections to London are worse.

You are probably better inland a bit at Petersfield and travelling down to the coast for walks etc.

Eve · 09/08/2020 21:20

If walking and beach are required have a look at Hythe, matchwood area.

Access to good schools, new forest close by, beaches close.

EasilyDelighted · 09/08/2020 21:18

Everyone I know has left Swanmore now (as in finished y11 not left foe other reasons) so definitely a good idea to try and get more up to date opinions.

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 21:15

@EasilyDelighted

I would have a look at Wickham, Bishop's Waltham, Waltham Chase. A lot of people I know have been happy with Swanmore school (secondary, no 6th form), the surrounding countryside is lovely, you aren't far from the beaches at Hill Head and Lee-on-the-Solent and you could drive up to Alton (30-40 mins) to catch the train once a fortnight. Not sure about property prices though.
I would have a agreed but loads of families with kids there I know are becoming very unhappy with the direction the school is going.

But that is anecdotal as ds never went there and it's only 4 families!

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 21:13

I'm fareham.

But the schools are not what you'd be looking for! You can find the total history of the issues I had with local academy all over Mn. I won't bore you now! My ds went to Crofton in Stubbington in the end - they are also very good and many students go to Bay 6th form or fareham college which is outstanding often rated (and recently!)

If schools weren't a huge thing for you I'd really recommend Fareham/Funtley or Knowle Village. Students who can do well tend to in fareham schools though.

CarolEffingBaskin · 09/08/2020 21:06

Alice Holt forest is stunning. We have so much woodland around us, Creech Woods, Havant Thicket, Queens Inclosure, South Harting. It’s a beautiful area.

SabrinaThwaite · 09/08/2020 21:05

Thorney Island ... it does require some organisation because-MOD- but apparently when the tides out there is a massive sandy beach at the point

No organisation required if you’re on foot - you just get buzzed through the gates in and out (we’ve never had to show ID). The sandy beach at the point is very pretty, fine white sand not dissimilar to East Head. It’s about an 8 mile walk all round.

Original poster
NellyJames · 09/08/2020 20:55

@myworkingtitle, before lockdown he was in Manchester Mon&Tue and in London Wednesday to Friday. Fast train down is 2h15mins.

OP posts:
Knittingnanny · 09/08/2020 20:50

I could give you a socially distanced walking tour of alverstoke. ! If you see anything on rightmove here that you like I will talk you through the location of it if you like.

myworkingtitle · 09/08/2020 20:36

You currently live in Cheshire & DH commutes to London from there? Sounds like a huge strain!

OrangeCinnamon1 · 09/08/2020 20:30

@LittleBearPad have you done the Thorney Island Walk? I've only ever done part of it ..it does require some organisation because-MOD- but apparently when the tides out there is a massive sandy beach at the point.

SabrinaThwaite · 09/08/2020 18:42

Emsworth would tick the sailing / walking / coast boxes, and you would find something for your budget, but I'm not sure about schools.

EasilyDelighted · 09/08/2020 18:33

I would have a look at Wickham, Bishop's Waltham, Waltham Chase. A lot of people I know have been happy with Swanmore school (secondary, no 6th form), the surrounding countryside is lovely, you aren't far from the beaches at Hill Head and Lee-on-the-Solent and you could drive up to Alton (30-40 mins) to catch the train once a fortnight. Not sure about property prices though.

Original poster
NellyJames · 09/08/2020 18:27

@SabrinaThwaite, yes, you are almost certainly right. We’ve had the house provisionally valued at 825k but I want to be able to stash a bit away just in case our situation changes. The situation with DH has made it all seem a little precarious. I know my budget doesn’t go far down there. Hell, it doesn’t go far up here either. 🙄 So in theory we could stretch it a little but I’d rather be safe and comfortable all things considered if that doesn’t sound mad. He would go tomorrow if DC1 wasn’t half way through GCSEs.

OP posts:
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