Newbury and secondary schools

[Alecaroh]

Hi, new to mumsnet and think I’ve posted this earlier in wrong place 😬
Looking for advice on secondary schools as hoping to move to Newbury area with my 2 girls. They’re yr 4 and 1 so secondary a while off but want to know options. I’ve researched trinity, park house and st barts in terms of ofsted but has anyone got first hand experience of what they’re like in terms of being values based, anti bullying etc or any general info about the schools that would be helpful to know?
Thanks!

Take a look at The Downs would be my advice.

Our 2 DC went to St Bart's. We were impressed with their academic standards and how they dealt with the situation when one of our DCs was being bullied. There is a solid "school atmosphere" and a lot of extra mural activities. As a school it's is older than Eton and Lucy Worsley's an old girl, if that's of any interest.

Park House ranks higher in the exam league tables I believe, but it is very, very sports orientated which might not suit your DCs. It is also a swine to get to on public transport.

All I know about Trinity is that it is the school on the north side of town it has no particular reputation that I am aware of (St Bart's and Park House are on the south side).

@SpeckledyHen

Take a look at The Downs would be my advice.

That's Compton. Hardly "in" Newbury.

St Barts has the better results, the last time I looked. Generally, you need to be within a mile to be sure of a place. It's a big school which has advantages and disadvantages. Advantages are there's a huge pool of people and most seem to find friends. But if you're desperate to be on a sports team, it can be hard to be noticed. It's divided into houses which gives a smaller feel. The tutor groups remain the same to year 11 and are smaller than the usual class size. They expect a lot in terms of homework. There are plenty of extra curricular options. They have D of E and CCF and lots of clubs. You can do things like Latin after school. I was happy with how an incident of bullying was dealt with. There isn't a lot of feedback, but then I dont know what the norm is for secondary. But I have been contacted when my DC failed to submit homework pretty quickly. My DC likes it there. Some of the teachers mine has had have been excellent. On the whole it feels quite safe, well organised and the majority of the DC are nice kids. I don't think we could have found better without paying tbh. West Berkshire Council website has the statistics about catchment and waiting lists. The schools admissions staff are really helpful too. Trinity serves the north side of town more. Park House more the Wash Common end. Park House specialises in sports.

Our experience of Trinity has been excellent. We visited all three you mentioned, with an initial inclination towards Barts due to family members being 'Old Newburians'. However, Trinity swung us during the orientation visits.

Dr Wilson (headmistress) is passionate and committed. There is a leaning towards performing arts, which neither of my DC are interested in, but the approach is inclusive not intrusive. The school value is 'Personal Excellence and Collective Responsibility'. This is reflected in all verbal and written communications with parents and students alike.

We've had experience of needing pastoral assistance, which has been calm, measured and effective.

The children are presented with many fantastic opportunities: clubs, sports, competitors etc. DoE was offered as an additional GSCE in this years options.

Led by Dr Wilson, the school response to Covid has been exemplary. Swift and cohesive communication. Excellent engagement with students.

Personally, I think it's difficult to make a bad secondary choice in Newbury and of course, if at all possible, visit the schools with your DC. Sometimes you just need to feel 'the vibe'!

FaceyRomford The OP said she was hoping to move to the ‘Newbury area’. Newbury villages are in The Downs catchment.
However, I think we are talking to ourselves anyway :)

Thanks so much for all the comments and detailed information, this is exactly what I was after and really good to hear a bit more about the ethos of the schools.

My eldest is quite shy but also pretty so it’s helpful to know about size of schools and focus on sport. Tricky decisions ahead! As some of you say, best to visit the schools when it’s possible but it’s great to hear your experiences so we can understand the options.
Thanks again

Predictive text! Meant to say pretty sporty, not pretty so...

St Barts - excellent facilities, great results, don’t know what the head is like, standards are really high eg when I have been to events there the polish is polished. Clean. Toilets are open to prevent bullying. It is big though. Also lots of children around at lesson times. Good sports. Middle class catchement. You need to move close if you want to go there - furthest child who got in this year lives 1.6 mile away and there is a large waiting list.

Park House - very drab, smelly classrooms, similar mix of pupils to Barts due to location but the catchement is slightly poorer. Got no proof to back that up except for my experience. Just got a new head so he will want to make his mark, I know lots of people said he came across well at the Year 6 Open Evening. Some amazing teachers in art and drama. Really high standard of drama productions.

Trinity- everyone who I know who sends heir children their rates it. The Head is excellent. It has historical struggles and is not known for being as academically rigorous. When I have been there, the children have been very nice.

Kennet is another oversubscribed amazing school in Thatcham. The Head is incredibly dynamic plus they have a sound history of academic excellence that has been built up over years.

Compton is brilliant too by the way.

Having worked in West Berkshire, Reading and Hampshire Schools - the education and opportunities from a West Berkshire School makes it one of the best places to live.

If, you move so that your child goes to Falkland and then St Barts you have won the schooling jackpot!!

• Just reread my comment and regarding St Barts - it says lots of pupils around at lesson times and that should say lesson change over times - they have a one way system because of Covid and so I expect its a lot calmer since I was there at a lesson change over time, because of that.

Ilovelove - thanks for your comments, really helpful! Hadn’t thought of Thatcham and just looked up kennet school. Sounds like a really inclusive school from ofsted. Is it reasonably academic too? Looked at gov.uk league tables and wasn’t sure. Huge amount of extra-curricula activities!

Quite a big school again like st barts.

Should have said earlier, my husband needs to be able to commute into London a few times a week so we need to be within a reasonable drive of Newbury station so I think Compton and Downs school probably won’t work for us.

Thanks again for all the comments!

Kennet certainly caters for the academic as well they get a handful of Oxbridge offers each year. It doesn’t have a new building like St Barts but has plenty of facilities and they use Thatcham sports centre which is on the same site. I don’t know Trinity or Park House but would happily send my kids to Kennet or St Barts.
You may find it easier to get in-year places in the Thatcham primary schools than the ones in Newbury itself. There is quite a bit of pressure on school places in Newbury - they’re building a new primary school - it may be worth a chat with West Berkshire admissions.

Kennet is a very high achieving school and academically excellent. Fantastic extra curricular and the Sen department is fantastic. I can’t tell you how highly I rate the Head.

There is a railway station too. Also the doctors surgery is the best doctors I have ever and a Waitrose!!

But it’s a lot of housing estates and you can find much nicer character houses in Newbury with space/gardens.

In and around Newbury there is really great provision for schools. It is a great choice!!

I guess it also depends on the type of area or property you are looking for and if you want to be in walking distance of the school .

Thatcham has a lot of estates , Newbury has a mixed bag of old and new properties. In any event you will need to be in the catchment of your chosen school as competition is fierce for places as all the schools are all good as others have said.

We are in the The Downs catchment in a village within a short drive to both Thatcham and Newbury stations . Most of the students are bussed to school due to the rural catchment.

Thanks so much everyone for all your comments and advice, this has been ridiculously helpful. Sounds like there are some really fantastic secondaries in Newbury and surrounding areas so we really can’t go far wrong. Loads to think about but so good to hear such positive reviews.
Thanks again 🙏

Does anyone have a child in Park House School in Newbury? Wanted to know what it really is like there. Comparing Kennet vs Park House and the 1st one if huge and 'Outstanding' while the latter is much smaller, 'Good' while their GCSC results are very similar. Interestingly boys' progress is much lower than girls' in PH. PH is closer to us and I am puzzled which would be better for my sporty and academic son. Just heard that the new Headteacher of Park House resigned after one year. Are you aware of any problems in that school? Please respond here or PM me if you are more comfortable to talk in private. Any comments will be much appreciated as Ofsted reports aren't really helpful.

My boy has just started in Y7 at Park House. He is smart but has issues focusing in busy environments. They were aware of his needs before he started, yet he has received ZERO support and is struggling on every level. Communication from the school is also ZERO (it's not just me, there are a number of parents having similar issues). Getting hold of the Senco is a nightmare. I would say if your children have any additional needs this is NOT the school to send them to (: