Peter Symonds College, Winchester

[guineapiglet]

Hi, I wondered if any of you have children expecting to start at PS in September. Our daughter is hoping to start, depending on GCSE results, and has a taster day next week. We are completely new to the area and do not know any teenagers at all, so it is all a bit daunting for her, would love it if anyone in similar situation could get in touch! Thanks

Peter Symonds takes kids from dozens and dozens of schools from across Hampshire.
Hundreds of people will be feeling as lost as your DD.
You will be made welcome. Enjoy.

Lots of students will be in the same boat, and many will be itching for other students to strike up conversation. There won't be any other current students cluttering the place up, apart from those acting as guides. There are some large cliques from the local feeder schools, but many, many, many more who aren't. Taster Day is all about getting a feel for the subjects and how they are taught - she won't necessarily be in the same classes in September. Come September they generally all settle in quickly and make new friends. She'll be fine!

My son is just going into the upper sixth at PSC. Although he went from a feeder school he knew very few people in his classes and has made a whole new set of friends. Your daughter just needs to go with an open mind and a big smile!

Many many moons ago I went there from a feeder school. There are just so many people doing a huge array of courses, I only actually shared one class with anyone from my secondary school. As has been said, there are so may people there all in the same boat, your dd won't stick out as being the new girl at all.

Thank you one and all for your positive comments - we had a visit last week and thought the college and its staff were wonderful. I know how much she is looking forward to starting, but you know what teenagers are like, they need a familiar face to cling to initially, we are facing a big family move over the next couple of months, so was hoping there may be someone else out there whose child is in a similar position. You have reassured me that all will be well, so thank you!

How did your dd get on at taster day?

Thanks for your message- it was a bit of a whirlwind visit, but we dropped her off full of nerves, and picked her up with smiles and great positivity - she had a fabulous day, thought it was very professionally run and managed, the day was well organised and everyone was very friendly and helpful - a great success! She is greatly looking forward to starting there, just hope all goes well with exams etc in the meantime. It is a lovely friendly city as well, can't wait to move and get involved in life there.

Good - I'm pleased she liked it! Good luck with the move.