Peter Symonds or Barton Peveril? Which one to choode?

[Daisyk18]

My son has been offered at both but isn’t sure which one to go for. Does anyone have any experience with either?
He’s planning to study Maths, Physics, and either Engineering or Computer Science, so we’re really keen to hear what the teaching is like for those subjects. Ideally something more engaging than just being given a textbook and left to get on with it!
Both colleges have good reputations, but we’re looking for the right balance — great teaching, a friendly atmosphere, chances to get involved socially, and good support if things get tough.
A few things we’d love to know more about:

• Are the teachers supportive and passionate about their subjects?
• Is the learning hands-on and interactive?
• What’s the social life like — easy to make friends?
• How’s the pastoral support if students need help?
• Are there good opportunities for things like work experience, enrichment activities, or uni prep?

Any insights (from students or parents!) would be really appreciated — thank you!

Peter Symonds is the better choice for teaching.

However, in regards to social life it will depend on where you live/ feeder schools.

Most students at PS come via Kinns/Westgate/ Henry Beaufort.

Barton tends to cater to the Southampton schools.

I’ve known children from Cantell to go to PS but there was an initial problem in that there were a lot of established friend groups and they had to be quite confident and outgoing to fit in.

Also, the social life tends to revolve around going out in Winchester at PS and BP is more centred towards Southampton.

PS is a very well established institution and I think it would suit a wide range of personalities. I've heard really good things about it. Where you live may be a factor worth considering too.

Should add I’ve taught at both colleges and another on Hill Lane.

I’ve hopefully covered the social aspect as in if you live in Southampton (which I take it you do) then there will be a factor of fitting in from existing friend groups in PS as the majority will come from Kings, Westgate or Henry Beaumont.

Also the social life revolves around going to ‘spoons’ in Winchester or house parties in the area

With regard towards academia, from my experience subjects such as your son are taking cater to the more able students at PS. So it really depends how strong he is. If he has got a 9 he’ll be fine otherwise he may struggle.

Only because the teachers at PS assume a certain base level of knowledge and popular subjects are often in lecture environments rather than small classes.

With regards to pastoral care I would say it depends on their personal Tutor. Some are great and have a fantastic listening ear and others are terrible. It’s the luck of the draw.

University applications are covered by a generic Further Education Centre. There’s plenty of information at both colleges and they both organise tours during the lower 6th. They generally have to chase up the personal Tutor to write a personal statement. Which comes back to the pot luck of having a good personal Tutor.

Again, if you’re asking this question I’d assume you are living in Southampton. Apologies if this is a wrong assumption.

I’d consider the length of commute. I had a very bright student at Richard Tauntons whose parents chose not to send him to PS because it was a 2 hour round trip and they thought that time would be better spent studying.

Hooe this helps.

I live equidistant from the two in Romsey. BP has gained in reputation in the last 10 years, and amongst the DC of my friends has been the destination of choice for sciences, including for one who ended up at 'Oxbridge'.

PS is very large and previously I have heard complaints on lack of working space.

Do the taster days assuming they still happen.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but wondered which one you chose?

There is a job opening for a physics teacher at Peter Symonds come up so looking to getting a better feel of the place.

My DS is at PS and doing physics amongst other things. He is upper 6th.
From a teachers point of view it's probably quite good.
All students will be very able I think it was a 7 minimum to get on the physics and maths A levels. All motivated and from what I gather they kick out anyone not working quite fast.
Lessons are not disruptive and students are under pressure to work hard from what I see as a parent.
Very high expectations and the kids appear under quite a lot of pressure.
The 3 Winchester schools have a majority that attend.

Thank you - is your son happy with the teaching he has had there? How many in a class and does he have 1 physics teacher or 2?

Kepler22B
He has 1 physics teacher . I will ask about class numbers But don't hold your breath as he appears incapable of noticing anyone outside his direct group of friends and is rubbish at knowing anything useful about anyone (basically an unobservant teenage boy).
Well he must be enjoying it enough to have applied to uni for a related degree and sitting on offers.
He is quite happy there, it is the natural 6th form from his secondary school literally just up the road from old school and most of his friends went.

I have quizzed the boy.
Classes have about 20 students. Zero disruption..

Thank you - that is really useful.

My youngest did Maths, Further Maths, physics and comp sci at BP. Did very well and enjoyed it but so did his peers who opted for PS. I think I’d agree that teaching appears to be better at PS but to me BP is friendlier. Have to say, doing those subjects there is less likely to be class disruption at either college.