Primary schools winchester

[orangecurd]

We are looking to move to Winchester and I have been reading Ofted reports/visiting school websites/looking at results data/ringing around primary schools to find where has places for our two DCs (currently Reception and Yr 2). Also making appointments to view schools and houses to rent - no firm address yet, which makes things harder. I need to focus my search and would be grateful for any insights from those with first hand experience.

I have read previous threads on this, which have been very useful. But would welcome any up to date info on state primary schools in the city - especially Oliver's Battery under the new headteacher who started in January this year. Generally, I have found that some of the more "sought after" schools have fairly unimpressive websites with out-of-date information. For example, Western's website has a page for newsletters, but they stop at the end of 2010...and it gives a list of afterschool clubs for Spring Term 2011. Whereas other schools (eg Oliver's Battery) have much more up to date and comprehensive info on their websites. But I am conscious that websites are not aways the best reflection of a school (our DC's current school is Ofsted 'outstanding' but has almost nothing on its website).

I would also welcome guidance on how mixed year classes work, and how this should affect my choice. Our kids are currently at a large London primary with 2 classes of 30 in each year group and I am instinctively more comfortable with this set up (which was also my own experience as a child). But it is obviously not the norm in Winchester and I am finding it hard to understand how it works in practice. For example, DS in Reception is summer born and (relative to DD at the same stage) not confident with reading and writing. If he goes into a Reception class now, am I right to understand that in a mixed class school, he might move next year to a R/Y1 mixed class? Then what? Do the mixed classes get changed each year according to ability or do they move up through the school as a single cohort? If there is a single Y3/Y4 class in a school, how does the child's experience differ between the two year groups?

Historically Western is the "trendy" school to go to. However, it has become so sought after that they are adding at least one extra class, which has a lot of people up in arms as the site will become very crowded and resources stretched. Furthermore your chances of getting two children in there are not good.

Mixed year groups are not the norm in Winchester, but the norm for smaller schools. Generally the cohort composition is a moveable feast.

Many thanks gramercy - we recognise that we are unlikely to get two children into the same school at the same time and are contemplating how to deal with that possibility (ie hold out for one school with places for both or split them up).

Re: mixed year groups, Hampshire County Council's list shows only 3 of the 20 primary schools classed as "Winchester" having a Permitted Admission Number of 30 or 60 in 2011 (St Bede, Western and South Wonton). I had presumed that the other 17 had at least some mixed-year classes. As you say, some are smaller village schools, but several - All Saints, Oliver's Battery, Stanmore, Winnall, St Peters - are in Winchester itself as far as I can tell. I presume that where there is a PAN that doesn't divide by 30, mixed classes are inevitable?

PS apologies for "Ofted" in earlier post... meant "Ofsted" obviously.

Hi there.... have you considered Owslebury Primary School? It's off the Morestead Raod, about two miles nearer Winchester than Marwell Zoo? It's a short drive away from traffic and is an amazing small school with a fab Head, wonderful teachers and the most beautiful grounds. Reception class has 12-15 children so they get the best start in their education. My three (2b 1g) are all there and we are really happy with it. Take a look at www.owsleburyprimary.co.uk. There's even a school video to give you a flavour of the place.