State secondary schools in the South West!

[ewallington]

We are emigrating from South Africa to the UK in August and have rented a house in Lacock in West Wiltshire. We have been offered a place at Oldfield School in Bath for both girls who are going into year 7 and year 8. We were offered this when we had no address in the Uk. Now we have an address in the Uk I can apply again and I’m wondering if Oldfield is the right school. Should I be trying to get into a school in Wiltshire that is closer right even another school in Bath. I don’t mind travelling to get to the school, I just want to make sure they go to the very best. I was possibly thinking St. John’s Marlborough or maybe Ralph Allen, St Laurence or Hardenhuish. Please can anyone help?

I don't know the others (apart from vaguely Ralph Allen which I'd put it above) but I know the head at Oldfield and another member of the teaching staff, both of whom are fantastic. It has a diverse catchment but I'm of the opinion that that's no bad thing. In all honesty though I'd go for whichever is closest, it will be easier for your children to settle if they're days aren't elongated by travel and it's easy for them to meet friends etc.

I doubt you’d get spaces at St John’s in Marlborough as it’s over subscribed & you’ll be miles away. I don’t know the other schools.

@LadyFuschia

I doubt you’d get spaces at St John’s in Marlborough as it’s over subscribed & you’ll be miles away. I don’t know the other schools.

Yep. You need to be in Marlborough or one of the surrounding villages really. You may be lucky with in-year admissions but unlikely for two year groups.

We have kids at Oldfield and are very happy with everything there. That said, you will be travelling quite a long way and there are lots of great schools nearer Lacock. From personal experience there are great schools in Chippenham and Corsham.

Malmesbury is a great state school.

Hardenhuish is a very good school, and will be easy to get to from Lacock.

Hardenhuish or Sheldon would be the catchment schools both of which are highly regarded,are literally next door to each other & the pupils share transport

Hayesfield is a girls school and one of the best schools in the South West The workload can be intense though.

Thanks everyone. I have looked at Hardenhuish and it does look great, so does Sheldon. Maybe I’ll give that a go. I was always planning on Hayesfield but the girls have both asked to go to coed. Can anyone tell me how long you think it will take to get from Lacock to Oldfield school in the mornings bearing in mind the traffic?

Oldfield is a perfectly decent school, but it doesn’t make much sense to travel
That far when there are equally good schools closer to you. I imagine that it would take you at least 45 mins (both ways) to make that journey in the mornings. The Chippenham secondaries have excellent reputations so I would put your daughters on the waiting lists for there.