Advice on secondary schools appreciated please!

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Hi, our daughter goes to secondary school next September. We live in Frampton Cotterell and she goes to Watermore Primary School (used to be Highcroft before it merged with Brockeridge and became Watermore a few years ago). Her local secondary should be Winterbourne International Academy but, to be brutally honest, we just don't like it - it's big, impersonal, and just hasn't got the right 'feel' we're looking for.

With this in mind we've seen some other really nice schools - Katharine Lady Berkeley in Wotton Under Edge (a pain to get to but a lovely school which DD saw yesterday and loves), Bradley Stoke Community (gets over subscribed), St Mary Redcliffe and Castle School in Thornbury. Our daughter is quite bright and really wants to do well. We're looking for somewhere that will encourage this keenness and has good pastoral care. Also on a good transport link would be fantastic!!

We're taking her to open days/evenings for these other schools too but I was wondering if anyone has any experiences of these schools or any others please. It's all such a minefield and to be quite honest I'm feeling quite overwhelmed with it all!!

Many thanks.

The other two schools worth a look are Colstons Girls and Cathedral School as they are academies and have a different system for entry. Children take an entrance exam and are placed into 3 academic bands. A third of students are then selected from each band by a lottery system. I would only risk one choice on one of these though.
Of the schools you mention, Bradley Stoke would be a non starter due to being oversubscribed, children from Bradley Stoke don't all get a place. I think you would need a good church going record to gain a place at St Mary Redcliffe, but I have had friends with children there, and they have been very pleased with it if it's an option. I think you may find Castle very similar to Winterbourne, it's very large and although gets good results is I feel rather impersonal. KLB would definitely be my choice. Although not that much smaller has a much more Intimate feel and from what friends with children there have said, pastoral care is good as well as academically being strong. It's A level results are always particularly good. I believe there is a bus from Yate if that made travel any easier. I teach locally and we often send children on to KLB and all seem to be happy.

Thanks very much Lovinglapland; that's really helpful. I forgot to say but we're going to an open day tomorrow at the Cathedral School; I have the memory of a very forgetful goldfish!! As for St Mary Redcliffe I do have a good church going record and have already sent the form in signed by my local church minister.

At the moment I'd say the favourite is KLB for us - it seems more laid back than the town based schools and very welcoming.

Goodness, there's so much to think about isn't there!

My dd is in Y9 at one of the schools you mention OP. If you pm me, I can give you more information and answer questions.