Poole Schools

[SchoolsInPoole]

Hi we're in the position of choosing a Poole Secondary School and I'm finding this really difficult.

Does anyone have recent experience of Magna, St Edwards or Poole High?

Thanks (name changed!)

Out of those 3 my preference would be

St Edwards
Magna
Poole High.

You also have the 2 grammar schools if your child is that way inclined.

Magna seems to have calmed a bit since the headteacher left a couple of years ago, but then I have heard that with that bad behaviour has started again.

Poole High I have had mixed experiences with. Some love it, others absolutely hate it.

St Eds can be hard to get in to if you are not a regular church goer. You need to have been going to church for a minimum of 2-3 years and regular attendance.

Thanks this is really helpful.

We are hoping for grammar but aware so many apply and they may not pass!

St Edward's seems lively but they don't set and Ive heard behaviour is interesting - but it does seem to have a family feel i like and is less trict than magna.

Magna - I didnt like all the stories about the "no excuses" and detention for anything but as you say Ive heard its softened. I just dont know what its like now. Is it just canford heath kids or do people aim to get their kids into Magna?

Poole high we went to their open evening and facilities look fantastic! But it is huge.

I cant work out where people go next if they don't get into grammar. All 3 schools seems so different from each other.

Sorry meant lovely not lively and dont "set" as in its mixed ability on principle. I see that that can be good but as I have a bright child I wondered if the setting in Magna/Poole would suit her better.

Never really heard a good word about Magna, I'm afraid, although a lot of that is social chatter rather than knowing many kids who have gone there.

St Ed's has a good rep but difficult to get into if not church-going. Know of a couple of kids there at the moment who are doing well and happy.

Poole High - son has a lot of friends who go there. As OP said, loads love it, some don't. Very large and it can really come down to who you're put in a class with. The main thing I always hear is "lots of homework". Interestingly, the past couple of years quite a few parents/kids are choosing it over the grammars even though they've passed the 11-plus.

I'd heard similar about Magna but that was wih the previous head and the crazy rules.

St Edwards seems nice but Im not sold on mixed ability classes and need to know just how religious it is...

Poole high really is huge isnt it. I kind of could see my child loving it at yr 9 but being overwhelmed for yr 7. Ive heard about fights at the bus station etc but from a huge school youd have all sorts.

I am amazed people would choose it over grammar though. We would have to bus to it if they went there and we'd try for the academic stream if we did but currently had st eds/magna first in my head.

Its really really hard to know without knowing teachers/pupils there.

Just bumping for evening peoples...

Anyone else? I think Magna and St Edwards open evenings are in september.

We're at this stage with similar decisions. Wondering what people are thinking? Or if anyone has experience.