Secondary schools in Newark (Notts, not NJ, alas)

[Nonicknamesleft]

Does anyone have any experience of schools in Newark? We are contemplating a move there in the next year, but have been alarmed to see the apparent quality of secondary state education there. There are lots of good primaries but absolutely all the secondaries do really badly with Ofsted, which is weirdly inconsistent, but offputting nevertheless.

At the moment we live in Surrey, so have no anecdotal experience or local knowledge we can access. What are Newark parents doing for a decent state education? Are things not as bad as they seem or are kids somehow being winkled in to better schools in neighbouring towns and villages?

Any advice/info gratefully received.

[Nonicknamesleft]

Been a bit out of touch with this thread for a week or so. Thank you so much to everyone who has continued to offer advice and I will definitely follow all this up.

Just spotted a thread looking for help on schools in the area in which I live currently, so will now go and see if I can be half the use so someone else that you have all been to me....

[Nonicknamesleft]

Hi Eamon, thanks for your advice. Bingham was an area I am keen to explore, ditto R-on-Trent, partly because of Toothill. Thank you for the tips.

[thirtysomething]

Nonick I would visit Toothill and see what you think, personally. I have heard mixed reviews from people whose children went there in Y7 (and some of whom moved to other schools in the area!)

[Mentalnurse]

My dd has just got a place at toothill. They have a bus service right near where we live just on the outskirts of Newark. I would not send dd to any of the local schools based on the advice of a friend who is a teacher in one of them!!! She advised that the best schools in the area if you live in or just around newark are Minster, toothill and tuxford. Good luck in your move!!

Oh and I can highly recommend Chuter ede primary in balderton, it's a lovely school!!! Heard not so good things about John hunt

[crw1234]

Know someone who used to work in Newark secondary school and she say all the parents that cansend their kids out of newark - and that is the reason why newark schools not so good
Licoln school not grammer as someone said - its good way from nottingham - and I go there a lot - and personally would live in nottingham - in the suburbs anyway - any day
Friends went to Fernwood -a long time ago -but I would imagine all the schools woltaten, beeston etc would probably be ok
Bluecoat is another school friends have been very happy with