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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary Schools in Cornwall?

7 replies

mellypippa · 05/05/2014 21:11

Can anyone recommend a fantastic secondary school in Cornwall, state and / or private recommendations hugely appreciated. We're considering a move down there and will be swayed on area depending on schools...

Thank you!

OP posts:
mothermirth · 06/05/2014 20:02

Mount's Bay in Penzance has a good reputation.

For A levels and beyond, I've also heard good things about Truro and Penwith College (in Truro and Penzance). No personal experience, but a teenager I know who's there really rates it.

Bumping for someone with more local knowledge. Smile

mumthetaxidriver · 06/05/2014 23:25

Truro has some great schools - Penair and Richard Lander state schools (think they were both outstanding but not sure about recent changes). Also fantastic private schools - Truro High School for girls and Truro School - I think co-ed now. It's also a lovely area with access to north and south coasts. I grew up there but sadly haven't managed to get back yet.

mumthetaxidriver · 07/05/2014 10:45

Just checked again - Penair was Outstanding in 2010 - October 2013 came out as requires improvement! Richard Lander is still good.

SlowlorisIncognito · 07/05/2014 17:45

It depends what you mean by "fantastic". Unfortunately, you won't find anything in Cornwall to rival top schools elsewhere in the country, especially London. You do need to be realistic about what is available.

I would suggest you move either somewhere near Truro, or somewhere where your child could reasonable commute to Plymouth if you want a real choice about the school your children go to. These areas also give the best options/choice when it comes to a lot of post-16 education.

IME most towns have one or two state secondaries, with very mixed catchments. Some of these schools are taking a lot more pupils than the number they were origionally built for, but most still have nice grounds, outside space etc. A lot of high achievers will go elsewhere for sixth-form, normally to Truro or to Plymouth, sometimes with very long commutes. Do be aware that most roads and public transport in Cornwall is quite slow, so this will lengthen your commute.

If you want something really "fantastic", I would say you would need to go private. Truro school is probably one of the schools with the best reputation, although there are of course other private schools available. There are no Grammar schools within Cornwall, but some children from SE Cornwall do go to the Grammar schools in Plymouth. There are also various private options available in Plymouth and the surrounding area.

As a final point, whilst there are lots of plusses to living in Cornwall, do be aware that in a lot of the small towns etc there are major drugs problems, and most teenagers will be exposed to drugs. I'm sure it's no different to any rural area of the country, but as there is very little else to do, this can be a major problem.

I hope this helps a bit.

Snowfire · 07/05/2014 23:53

I don't know where you have got your ideas about drug problems in the county. I work in health care and have a teenager but hear very little about these types of problems.

The Truro comps are both good, Penair has had a new head since the ofsted and she seems to be doing very well at addressing the problems. Truro College has an amazing reputation for 6th form and had better A level results than both the private schools this year.

mothermirth · 08/05/2014 08:28

Just checked and Mount's Bay's last Ofsted in 2012 was outstanding; the same goes for Truro and Penwith College.

They both sound pretty fantastic to me.

mumthetaxidriver · 08/05/2014 22:20

Really not sure about the drugs issue. I am a firm believer in any area being what you make it for your family - i dont agree with the post that there is little else to do in a place like Cornwall - there will be plenty of opportunities for children to join in with music, theatre, sports, outdoor activities like surfing and sailing, as well as youth organisations like Scouts and Guides. Obviously if you chose a more renote village you will find access to such activities more difficult but there are some great villages near to Truro which enable you to have the best of both worlds. My vote would go to somewhere like St Agnes on the North coast - great beaches, a great sense of community and only about 15 mins drive to Truro.

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