Primary schools in Winchester

[Bizzle123]

Does anyone have any current or recent experience of All Saints in Winchester? My 4 yr old will be starting school in September. This is our nearest school and I liked it when I looked round it, but it doesn't have a great reputation. I think it's a school that has improved recently so maybe the reputation has yet to catch up, but some views / experience would be helpful. I think it's more socially mixed than other Winchester schools which I'm fine with (it's a positive) so long as mine isn't the only middle class child. Thank you.

Why do you think that it's only recently turned around? It's been Ofsted Good since early 2009, retaining the standard at every inspection since then. Your DC definitely won't be the only middle-class child there: the school is pretty evenly split these days, and its diversity is one of its strengths. It's a true village school, free from a lot of the stressy, helicopter parenting that characterises some of the city's more exclusive primaries. It does extremely well by all of the children.
Both of my DC went there; we're as middle class as they come, and we'd choose it again in a heartbeat. My kids are tolerant, empathetic and get on with people from every background. I miss All Saints a lot!

It's a friendly community: if your child can manage even a morning or two at All Saints preschool, it will make the transition even smoother. They'll get to know the other children, and get used to seeing the playground routines of bell, lining up, playtime, through the fence every day. Mine barely noticed the move to the other side of the fence. The Friends is a great bunch of parents, too.

Thanks Lemonsole, that’s really helpful and great to hear such a positive experience.

A couple of people I’ve spoken to have implied it has improved recently, and even the head said it has changed a lot in the last few years. I know its ofsted rating hasn’t changed but I think ‘good’ covers quite a wide range of schools.

Thanks for tip re the preschool, I will look into that option.