Schools in Hampshire / berkshire

[Oddjob555]

(updated as i spelled the title wrong last time!)
Hi, we are relocating and may have whittled our search to a few schools. Does anyone have any children at these schools? I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks,

Berks - Newbury Barts or Park house, Falklands Primary, Other primaries around Newbury that feed these?

Wilts- St johns Marlborough, Great Bedwyn and feeder primaries

Hamps- Testbourne secondary and whitchurch or Overton Primaries.

My partner needs to commute to Newbury so cant be too far away.
Thanks!!

No children at any of the schools, but have lived in 2 of these areas so know general feeling ...
St Johns - this is very much the preferred school in the area and it would be critical to live in the catchment to get ensure you got in. There seems to be quite a few good primaries in the area.
Testbourne - People in the catchment seem to prefer 2 Winchester schools or Salisbury Grammars (if in west). 5 or so years ago Barton Stacey was the preferred primary, dont know these days.

thank you Sunny Shores. What did you think of the areas to live in? Whitchurch / Overton or the St Johns Catchment area (Great Bedwyn etc). They are quiet or bussling? Nice to live in?

thanks so much

We lived near whitchurch for 10 years, up to when the children were 7 and 4, there was lots to do for them within say 20 min drive. The M3 is quite busy most of the time. Basingstoke isnt nice to look at! but the new shopping centre has all the ususal shops as well as a couple of big cinemas, pool, bowling, museums, restaurants. There was nothing wrong with the area as such, its really handy to get to loads of places (London, seaside, countryside) but it wasnt somewhere I particularly liked. No character perhaps? Dont know really.

We then moved to near Marlborough until children were 11 and 7 (2014). I loved it and would have gladly stayed. There isnt as much going on as Basingstoke area, but I think its of a better quality, more friendly and relaxed. For things like cinema, bowling we had to go to Swindon (again not pretty), but the leisure park is on the outskirts and easy in and out. Marlborough is beautiful and has most things you'd need and some lovely independent shops. You still get supermarket deliveries, there's a great small leisure centre. Houses are more expensive, but there is a great variety and you'll get more land and houses are more spread out.Trains to London from Gt Bedwyn, beautiful countryside, village pubs, out of peak hours there's little traffic. You can make as much of it as you like, there is lots going on, but it takes more effort.

I suppose it depends on where you're moving from, Marlborough could be a shock if you're coming from a big city, or a modern town with everything on the doorstep.