Poole/ Bournemouth. Schools and living areas

[Tkamb]

Hi all!!
I have followed your kind advice from a previous thread ( for some reason I can't add any messages in it) and looked at schools and contacted the local council. This is what I got:

• a place for my DS in year 10 at Poole high. I think though it might not be the school for him- too big. So he could go on the waiting list for st Edwards. If he is not lucky, I think we would send him to Bournemouth collegiate.

• a potential place for my daughter at Bournemouth School for Girls for sixth form.

I will be working at Poole hospital.

Should we look at somewhere to live in between? Branksome/ lower parkstone/ Canford Cliffs!? Are there children who travel by bus to Bournemouth?

Areas west of Poole appeal to me, but probably not practical for the children?

I have heard that if we live east of Bournemouth my commute would be hell!

Smaller places like Wimborne and ferndown appeal to us, but not sure if good located for these schools and my job?

Any advice appreciated. It is very difficult to organise the move from abroad (we live in Spain) We plan to visit in January but it would be great to narrow down areas to live in this case (in which schools and job seem to be in opposite directions! )
Is traffic bad in both directions p-b and b-p?

Anybody?

Traffic is hell in Bournemouth. Castle Lane West (for BSG) is solid during rush hour, and slow moving the rest of the day. The Wallisdown Road is the same, and bad in both directions as it's pretty much the only road. DH knows all the rat runs and back doubles but you'll still always get caught somewhere.
There are definitely school buses.
I'd try looking for property nearer the hospital; the areas you suggested are all nice, but Canford Cliffs won't be cheap.

Is there any reason for BSG rather than Parkstone Grammar?

Also, if your ds will be starting in year 10, it is worth noting that some schools cover GCSE in year 10 and 11, whereas others take years 9, 10 and 11. It is worth asking the school what they do.

Could you try renting for a few months to begin with? I did this when I moved areas. If I had not, I would have bought a house in the wrong place for me and would have had either to put up with it, or have the expense of moving again.

Hi,

Great you’ve managed to find school places. With that spread, I think west of Poole would be tough on your DD. Branksome or Lower Parkstone would probably be your best bet.

Both have train stations; a train into Poole would be walking distance for both you and your DS to work/school, or there are buses into Poole every 10/15 mins. Your DD would likely be able to get a bus to school reasonably easy from there too.
On the rare occasion you are working from Bournemouth Hosp, buses also go from there as well.

If your DS ended up at St Edwards, I’m not sure if there is a dedicated school bus, but it’s only a 5/10min walk off the main bus route into Poole so again, not too much of an issue, ditto the Collegiate

Thank you so much.!!! I will narrow down my search to those areas then. We will rent at the beginning, so can get to know the area better.

I am shocked to know about the traffic, I really thought I was moving to a peaceful corner in the Uk, but never mind, I guess it will also have more options for activities for us and the children than a very rural area!

My daughter prefers BSG because it will allow her to take 4 A levels, while at Parkstone she can only take 3, I think. We will apply for both schools though and visit them and then she can decide if she prefers one or the other, and if it is worth a longer commute for her or not.

Very excited about the move and about our visit and really really grateful for all your help. It makes everything MUCH easier! You are angels!!!!

No probs. If DD ends up at PSG instead, then I think there is a school bu that runs along Ashley Road which should be within 10mins walk or so from most areas of Branksome/Lower Parkstone

Echo what others say about traffic. My DDs go to BSG and the traffic is awful - school buses are good tho. It's a very good school btw.

Traffic to and from Wimborne/Ferndown is always terrible in my experience.

Lower Parkstone is a nice place to be. I don't really know much about Poole as we are east of Bournemouth. What about Alum Chine?

Talbot Woods area is nice too. Well served by buses and close to the Wessex Way.

Southbourne and Boscombe Manor are nice but might be a traffic nightmare on the Wessex Way for you to get to Poole. Buses to and from BSG are great from there and you're very close (walking distance) to the collegiate school.

Both girl's grammar schools are fab, but in completely different areas. I'd be tempted to use PGS if you are also using Poole High. You really wouldn't normally live near one and send to the other one. Both get fantastic results.

We were very impressed when we looked around Poole High. They set quite rigorously by academic ability in each subject, wheras St Edwards is mixed ability . There are also a lot of facilities and clubs available due to its size (climbing wall, swimming, arts, drama etc open to all.) St Edwards is smaller and very nurturing though.

I think as its a GCSE year you probably wouldn't want to change schools once you have started.

Good luck.

And yes traffic is really bad between poole and Bournemouth both ways, particularly around school times.

I’m in Lower Parkstone, it’s nice. Canford Cliffs is nicer but much pricier! Either are well placed for getting to anywhere in Bournemouth or Poole as you’re pretty much on the border. Yes, traffic in and out of Bournemouth is a bit of a nightmare but I think people just get used to it.

Just been doing the rounds for 6th form and can I add Ferndown Upper into the mix as a possibility for your DS ? There’s a school bus from Ferndown to the Bournemouth Grammars so your DD could get to school and Ferndown to Poole Hospital a bit of a pain but as people say you get used to it. Have been very impressed with Ferndown under the new Head and think it is well worth a look and think they would go the extra mile to help your DS adjust.

Never yet heard anything good about Bournemouth Collegiate though to be fair I haven’t actually heard anyone mention it at all for a couple of years whereas before just heard a lot of negative things.

Thank you for all your comments! Most appreciated! . We definitely need to go there for a week, visit all schools you suggest and see how we feel the different areas.
Will write ferndown school on my list, looks like a good option too!

Hope you have a fab visit! I expect it will be clearer once you can see the various areas and schools in relation to where you might live. Very exciting!

@Tkamb where did you go in the end?

Hi,
We didn’t move into the area in the end. Sorry I cannot be of any help

Ah thanks