Schools in Fleet?

[scrappydappydoo]

We're considering moving to Fleet (in hampshire) this spring. DD1 is due to start reception in September so we obviously looking at schools. All the schools look good on paper (major thumbs up) but I was after some inside information - you know the type you pick up on having lived there for awhile.... this school is better for academic kids, this one is better for sporty kids, the headteachers nice/a cow etc etc
It would help us target areas to live in a bit better. TIA

I used to live in Fleet and still live nearby (but not near enough for the dc to go to school there). TBH, the schools in Fleet are all so good that you're laughing really.

Local view has long been that All Saints Junior (feeder school is Tavistock) has a reputation for being academic and thus, some say, less tolerant of special needs. In contrast, Velmead Junior is supposed to be v. tolerant of special needs and has a kind of 'friendly' vibe. All gossip and unofficial, mind!

I went to Fleet Infants and then Velmead Junior. They are now next door to each other and the grounds are lovely - all wooded and natural-looking.

So far as I can tell from Fleet-living friends, everyone loves Heatherside Infant and Junior, but come to think of it, I may only be mixing with people in that catchment! Still, they all rate both schools highly.

Sorry to be rather vague. Thought my hearsay-type reply might at least bump your post!

(If you're after a Fleet toddler group, Fleet Baptist Church has a really good one. That review, at least, is based on personal experience. I'm told their pre-school is good, although I have not tried it.)

Have fun in Fleet - it is very nice and, although I claim otherwise, I do rather miss it!

PS Thought I should add that all the Fleet schools seem to set their infant school pupils far more homework than we get from our little Surrey primary. Fleet people have a long-standing reputation for expecting more of everything!

Any more Fleet goss you need? Best park, cup of coffee, best place to buy children's shoes, nicest roads to live in...?

I know it's bit old thread but we're planning to move to Fleet over the summer. Have heard only good about this place, school-wise mostly.
But what about everyday life, shopping, cafes, markets?
I have DD who's 4 and DS nearly 1. What about after school activities like swimming and gymnastics and all that? Toddler groups? Moving from SW London, so I'm used to have everything in walking distance..
Any advise on best area to live (although I'm hoping it's all nice in Fleet)

hello all,

we recently moved to fleet and we have 5 year old and 1 year old kids.

even thought we chosen elvetham heath primary school as the first choice (catchment school, only .3 miles from the school), but they gave Tavistock infant school (more than 2 miles). This wasnt one of our choices (i.e. when we filled the school application we didnt know about this one).

as there is a school place in Heatherside primary school Hants council offered us to choose either Heatherside primary school (this was our 3rd option) or Tavistock Infant school. So we need some advice as soon as possible.

Tavistock 2009 report gives overall performance "outstanding" where as for Heatherside 2010 report gives only GOOD.

Please advice.

thanks
sl

Hello! I'm yet another mum thinking of moving to Fleet so I hope you don't mind me bumping this old message.

I've been to Fleet a couple of times recently to check it out as I've heard such good things about it and I really like it, but I really need some insider information about the place.

For example, I've seen the shops (there are certainly enough for daily shopping etc) but what about going on a major shopping spree? Are Farborough/Aldershot bigger in terms of shops? I'm not a shopaholic (well, not any more hee hee!), but I'm just thinking of buying kids' clothes and stuff like that.

Also, what are doctors and dentists like there?

Finally, what's it like getting around in Fleet? I know there aren't many buses and I don't currently drive so this is something I need to think about.

Any information/gossip/advice will be greatly appreciated, and sorry if you're fed up being asked what Fleet's like!

Thanks.

I like it here, lovely community feeling. Shops on high street are OK, decent enough cafes, Waitrose etc. Very poor for kids clothes though since Adams and Woolies closed. Which is staggering really given the sheer number of young families.

For better shopping we go to Reading (reachable by bus), Guildford (no direct bus or train) or Basingstoke (easy by train). Don't rate f'borough or aldershot, but Farnham is nice.

All schools are good here, but pressure on places is growing because they are building new estates like nobodys business. I've only had good experience of local doctors, but again it is getting harder to get on lists. Lots of good dentists and it is still possible to get on NHS lists.

I enjoy the small town air, but with easy access to London for city life, or the coast for summer sun. People are friendly on the whole, there's lots of clubs and societies and having kids will throw you in the thick of things. If you want to make friends and meet people there is a very active volunteer community.

I could think of worse places to live!

Just bumping this thread as am thinking of moving to this area! Did any of you move to Fleet in the end? Would love to know what you think of primary schools. Am particularly keen on schools where music and sport is taken seriously. TIA

Fleet is lovely! We moved here last year. Our daughters (nearly 3 and 5) have more space, more fresh air, more fun now. Our eldest got a place in Fleet Infant school and has been very happy there. It is quite an academic school and they do their utmost to teach kids to read and write asap, but in a fun way. Amazing teachers, really! A friend's daughter got into Heatherside and I have heard unofficial reports that it is more artsy-craftsy. Also a lovely school, hard to get into though because of a small catchment area.
Anything else you would like to know? Xx

RE sport and music... generally private schools take them seriously, not so much state ones. RE primaries in Fleet, we discovered, to our delight, that Fleet Infant had a special purposed-built Music Room added with ukuleles etc. They do choir singing there very frequently. Overall facilities are more spacious and planned to be expanded really, because the school is on the edge of Fleet in a forest. Cannot say the same about other schools. Also from Year 1 everyone can have violin lessons with peripatetic teachers, join a choir etc.

RE sport, kids have a PE lesson weekly plus from Year 1 can start various sport clubs.

I, as a piano teacher, can also say from what I have seen/heard, that Calthorpe Park secondary school has a good Music Department. Bear in mind that no school in Fleet offers 6th form, so academically and musically gifted kids tend to go to Farnborough Sixth Form College. That is where music and sport thrive!! I have met lots of private school leavers joining the college because of its reputation.

Hopefully I have somewhat answered your quwstions. :) xx

Hi everyone, my LO is due to start school September 2019 and we need some recent advice on which schools are good. Im hoping you have some info on a few questions.
•Genuinely, what is your experience with Elvetham Heath school (Year R)
• best school for emotional well-being and nurturing of children
• after Tavistock / Fleet infants which is the best junior to attend?
• is Heatherside junior good?
• has anyone from Elvetham Heath been given a place at Fleet infants, Tavistock, Heatherside?

Thanks so much! P.s. love living here 🌞

Sorry I meant 2020!

You will be better starting a new thread as this one is quite old - I did think you were leaving it quite late for September ! My husband teaches at a secondary in Fleet so I can’t offer any advice on the primaries but it is a lovely area.

Hi respect2littles

What did you end up choosing? How has your experience been at the local schools?