Moving to Bath - school help please 🙏

[Bath2be]

Any Bath people on here?

We're moving to Bath next year, so thinking of schools - state secondary for my son.

Is Ralph Allen the most popular? Are the others just as good?

Thanks 😊

Ralph Allen Beechen and Oldfield all decent schools. Beechen single sex others mixed. Ralph Allen’s head just moved to Oldfield

Ralph Allen is very good by reputation - worth noting that the previous headteacher left last summer and now works at Oldfield School in Bath, which is also a good choice!

There's also St Marks (C of E, very small) and St Greg's (average size, Catholic) but obviously they might not appeal.

You could also consider Beechen Cliff (boys) but I would strongly advise against it...you will hear very mixed reviews and it does certainly suit a particular type of student (sporty, academic, confident boys) but perhaps lacks inclusivity.

I am a teacher (not in Bath itself!) so happy to answer anything else by DM.

The new head at Ralph Allen is a bit of a bully. Shouting at children and generally a bit rude and aggressive.

We are considering a move in the new year. What did you end up discovering/deciding? I have Ralph Allen on my radar and possibly King Edwards.

Hi!

We are also looking to move to Bath next year. I’ve been looking in to schools for my son too who will be going in to year 8 next September(although he’s not all that happy with the relocation). Has anyone come any further along in their decision yet?😀

Ralph Allen has gone downhill since the new head started. He’s very unpopular with both staff and students. Many staff have left and the atmosphere is not good. Our DS and his friends are all planning to jump ship to different sixth forms.
I’ve heard good things about Oldfield and St Gregory’s.

Respectfully, I have a different opinion on Ralph Allen and the new head. I have two children at the school, both with quite different personalities and academic interests. I’ve found the school as a whole incredibly nurturing and my children are thriving there. The head is approachable and motivated. I think it must be hard for him to follow in the footsteps of the last head who had a length of time to establish himself. Yes the new head is firm but so far, from what I’ve seen, in a way that he takes no nonsense from disruptive kids and rewards good behaviour with lots of praise. My two follow the rules and feel seen and appreciated for it.
I can only speak from my experience but as someone who has had to move quite often, this has been the best school my children have been to, private schools included. I would recommend it highly.