Hants: Thornden, Kings or Westgate? What do you think?

[miljee]

We're 4 years away from this debate but I'm curious to know which you'd 'choose'. Currently the boys are in a happy and good school (inf & jun) in Romsey but sadly, we're renting, being Australian refugees. The upside is we're mobile and I work in Winchester. The elder boy isn't particularly academic, all 2's at KS1 SATS, but in common with ALL of us I'm looking for a pleasant, well disciplined environment where the boys can develop their interests with a minimum of disruption from the inevitable 'unruly element' that can exist in any school if that behaviour isn't properly managed. Any ideas??

I don't honestly think there's much to choose between these schools - they're all excellent, and I think you'll find the 'unruly' element in all of them will be minimal. I've heard particularly good reports of Kings. Thornden is quite a pushy, exam focused school, so if your son is not particularly academic, he may not find this one to his liking (it's also practically impossible to get into unless you're in catchment or at a feeder school). I suggest you have a look round them all. What about Mountbatten in Romsey? Also worth a look (but catchment issue as above). Hope this helps.

Thanks stringbean- what do you think about Mountbatten? I have to say that, right now it IS our catchmented school, but we're renting thus flexible. My impression- and I have to be careful but honest here- is that Mountbatten could be a better school except it also caters for certain kids from the rougher sprawling estates to the north of Southampton thus has a higher than average (for the area) problem with discipline. This is all just hearsay (my sons' primary feeds Romsey Community) so may well reflect an out of date situation!

I can't comment on the discipline here I'm afraid, as I don't honestly know (although I know someone who teaches there, but not sure she'd be unbiased!) - just a suggestion really, as it's another school to look at in that area with a good reputation. Apparently the head is leaving at the end of the year, so a new head may bring changes to the school. Tbh, I think we're pretty spoiled for choice in this area, as far as both primary and secondary schools go - they all offer something slightly different but get pretty much similar results, so it's probably a case of visiting each one and deciding which you prefer and would suit your ds's needs best.

Yes, when you hear some horror stories on this site you realise this area is quite well served! I perhaps wouldn't be looking towards Salisbury, however, because of the grammars who cream off the academic tier thus leave the remaining schools with a less able 'pot' from which to draw which I don't think is fair on them (besides, my boys aren't GS material!)- I gather quite a few Romsey kids DO commute to Salisbury, though! Thanks for your input.

That's why so many kids from Shirley get into Romsey schools, because those who are actually from Romsey have gone elsewhere. This has a knock on effect and schools in Southampton are so undersubscribed and consequently having to close and it also has an effect on the bevaviour at the Romsey schools (and I know I won't be popular for saying that).

SWND, thanks. I heard some recent discussion about Southampton schools closing but I don't know why- falling rolls? Poor OFSTEDs? But it is interesting what you say about Shirley children going to Romsey. I don't know how many Romsey kids DO go out of catchment TBH but I'm sure there must be a fair number. Sad when we can't send our own kids to their local school, really, isn't it? But this whole 'Choice' business means you can't take a neutral position because you're 'left standing' with a less than desirable local school if all the 'pushy middle class parents' locally have deserted. You might be left with the lowest common denominator.

The main problem in Shirley appears to be the boys school and the way it has been failing, is now doing ok and as is expected parents of boys will not send them there. The down side is the girl's school has just had its ofsted and was Outstanding. However they (the LEA) are going to mix both schools, which I feel is a shame as my dd attends the girls school and it is very good. The main problem we have is the head of one of the Junior schools will not promote the local schools and as a result the whole of his year 6 group apply to Romsey.

Hardly a solution, is it? How dispiriting for you. IMO, Shirley is an interesting area, socially. I think that, in Romsey, it has an unjustified reputation for being rough and 'problem family council high-rise'. You really don't have to go far off the high street to find normal tidy, respectable homes with normal, respectable people living in them- who get tarred by the same brush but who actually want the same as the rest of us: good, disciplined local high schools! To a lesser extent, North Baddesley (where I live) is looked down on by Romsey-ites too. Hopefully the success of the girls' school will rub off on the new mixed school and parents' at that particular junior will see that and ignore the head teacher!