Panicking about moving to Poole!

[sausagematters]

Hello! Desperately seeking some advice...

We (me, dh and ds who is 5) will be moving to Poole - or somewhere nearby - in mid-Feb (during spring half term). We know NOTHING about the area - I visited it briefly when I had my job interview, and as yet my husband and son have not been there. It was a rather impulsive decision to move there - we had vaguely thought about moving to Dorset a while ago, and then when I got offered the job, we thought, well why not?! Now reality is starting to hit... overall we are excited but also there are just so many unknowns.

We will be visiting at the end of next week. However, we are starting to panic as we keep reading lots of really negative things about different areas of Poole. So we feel a bit stumped about schools, where to look to rent a house/flat (we don't own a house and we won't be either).

When I called Poole council, they said that their Reception classes are generally really full, many of the schools are oversubscribed and are unlikely to have spaces in them. Out of the schools that have current availability, none have ofsted ratings of 1, and only two have an overall rating of 2 which is fine, but when we searched for info on the local areas, the first hit in Google was just about how chavvy and horrible it was!

We're just looking for some advice really - areas to avoid, other places to consider (e.g. Bournemouth - but again, all the schools that have space there are all around West Howe which is apparently quite rough).

What about other areas nearby?

HELP! We need reassurance and advice...

ayone can apply for the grammar tests but priority places are given at Poole Grammar to Poole residents and at Bournemouth Grammar for Bournemouth residents.

I don't think the Grammars will be to suited to everyone and there's a fair amount of hype about them. I'm not sure I'm going to bother entering DS for Poole, I think he'll do just as well at QE or Corfe Hills. I'm coming to this having gone to a Grammar myself and being pretty academic, was just about to started PhD when I became pregnant. If you look at the Ofsted (I know you can't always go on it) Corfe Hills comes out better. Think they are having a new Head though, Parkstone Grammar is too. We did the rounds for DD who started upper school this year and absolutely loved Lytchett. If we'd lived closer I'd have applied for her . I was gutted to hear their Arts block was destroyed by fire over the holidays.

Children from the Wimborne middle schools do get into the Grammar, DD is Year 9 and 24 from her year went, not so many this year but still some. Ferndown Middle got a load in this year and is supposed to be doing very welll. You've also got the option of Faith Schools dotted around the place. And the different LEAs have different systems, Dorset is still 3 tier where as Poole is now 2 tier. You need to come and have a look at a few and go on gut feeling. We made what I know some people felt was a strange choice for DD given our catchment upper and the past reputation of the one she's just started but we felt it would suit her. She loves it, her grades have rocketed (3 complete levels difference in English this term, can't quite believe it) now she's happy and she can't wait till she goes back tomorrow. 2 years ago when she first mentioned it I literally shrieked that she wasn't going there.

What's St Edwards like these days?

We're half wondering if its worth moving to a good secondary catchment now, although that's a long way away and obviously more expensive housing.

Watching *

Or anyone with knowledge of longfleet combined?

Does anyone have any thoughts on Hamworthy? The primary/first school there has spaces, but it's hard to find any info out about the place! We've seen a house (online) that looks nice in Lower Hamworthy...

I was told when we moved down back in 2000 to avoid by my colleagues at the Hospital as it wa very patchy. But things move on and situation might be different, someone else will probably know.

I know someone there who has chosen to send their child to old town first instead. however I've also seen someone on netmums local (shh but the local notice board is quite active so may be worth asking there too!) say they are happy with it.

I think historically its a place people have warned us off but its improved I believe. .

Hello, I know this thread is very old but i thought I'd reply about Hamworthy. We moved here 2 years ago and I love it here. We're walking distance to the town centre, a little beach and a fab park. There is a little library which has a cafe and soft play, the first school has an excellent reputation. There is a lot of development, I think the area is very up and coming for families.

Hey @sausagematters I know this thread is old but did you move in the end? I’m in Brighton and we’re planning on moving to Lilliput / Poole area and I have to say I’m so worried I don’t know if it the right choice. I love brighton and all it has to offer but hubby wants to sail so he wants us to move for a better lifestyle . I’m worried there isn’t much community there and that there is no good shopping lol ( thinking Lewes shops not high street ) x

@Tlenny

Hey *@sausagematters* I know this thread is old but did you move in the end? I’m in Brighton and we’re planning on moving to Lilliput / Poole area and I have to say I’m so worried I don’t know if it the right choice. I love brighton and all it has to offer but hubby wants to sail so he wants us to move for a better lifestyle . I’m worried there isn’t much community there and that there is no good shopping lol ( thinking Lewes shops not high street ) x

Hi Tlenny

I’m from Brighton also looking to move to Poole. Currently living in Bournemouth. Just wondered if you ever did move to Poole? 🙂

Dear @littlecloud
Came across your comments about Hamworthy while doing some research into buying a property in Upton, this would initially rental & then retirement property.
Just wondered what you thought of the area?