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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Which Warwickshire School?

15 replies

fra53r · 20/02/2015 14:57

Hello! We are relocating to Warwickshire for hubby's job. Son is 13yo in yr 9 high school. He's in a 'GOOD' (OFSTED) school and wishes to attend an 'OUTSTANDING' school as he is aware his education is important. We're looking at Kenilworth/Rugby/Southam/L.Spa/Warwick etc (within a 20-25 mile radius of 'Gaydon'). Will be renting, want a safe and pleasant place to live. Grammar and Private schools are out of the question (£). Been doing research online, want some on the ground input from local Mums if possible? Thanks :)

OP posts:
JugglingLife · 20/02/2015 15:07

Hi OP, I don't think it's that straightforward, the decent schools will be full...... I'd perhaps start with a short list, see who has spaces and then look at where you would need to live to get I to that school.

VioletMoon4683 · 20/02/2015 15:08

Kenilworth school and also myton in warwick.

Kenilworth is v quiet and small. Warwick has a very family vibe, nice park and also a leisure centre. Leamington is better for shopping but is quite towny with a lot of young people. More pubs and night life. Rugby is very mixed but cheaper house price wise. Not sure about Southam. There's also wellsbourne and also other small towns edging into the Cotswolds. Shipston upon stour and moreton in marsh

NeitherHereOrThere · 20/02/2015 18:42

Good secondary schools include:

Myton (Warwick)
Kenilworth
Southam College - probably the nearest school to Gaydon
Ashlawn School (Rugby)

I know you said no grammars - the ones in Warwickshire are free if you are worried about costs.

LivesInLegoland · 22/02/2015 09:03

I can only speak for East Warwickshire which is Rugby. Ashlawn is a bilateral school so it has grammar and non-grammer streams and so far we are pleased with it. If you live in one of the outlying villages transport is provided but it is a fair distance, takes about 45 minutes on the bus from where we are. I was a bit concerned about this but DS seems to be fine with it. We wouldn't have got a place there in the non-grammer stream as we are not in the catchment area, but there are some nice housing areas that are. Property is cheaper in Rugby than Leamington, Warwick or Kenilworth although they are closer to Gaydon. As has been said, Warwickshire grammars are free so you could look at Lawrence Sheriff in Rugby which is pure grammar. I personally wouldn't consider any of the other schools in Rugby. Hope that helps !

Choccywoccydodah · 22/02/2015 09:16

Will you be moving Gaydon?
Southam, not a lot there as small market town, long Itchington is the village next to it and lovely, they are not too far from Leamington. The school in Southam used to be rated quite highly (5 years ago), but not sure what it's like now. Our old neighbour was a teacher there.
Rugby, nice town, cheaper than Leam and Kenilworth and get a hell of a lot for your £ The schools, as already mentioned, are Lawrence Sherriff and Ashlawn that really are the better ones. Obviously there is also Rugby school but that's ££££
Leamington is a beautiful town, so is Kenilworth, but lots more pricey.
I don't know a lot about the schools, but have friends there. I know Leamington and Kenilworth both have schools highly rated, will try and find out which for you :)

NeitherHereOrThere · 22/02/2015 09:58

I don't think any of the state secondary schools in Leamington are highly rated - probably cos many local children travel to the grammars in Stratford/Rugby or attend independent schools.

Southam College is still highly rated and the catchment area is quite wide, spreading to several villages. The town itself is very quiet though but not a problem with Leamington being so close.

senua · 22/02/2015 13:17

I know that you said you were renting, so have no direct property-owning concerns, but don't forget about the effect (or not, who knows) of HS2.

kwerty · 23/02/2015 00:03

Kenilworth school is highly thought of and turns out good kids. I wouldn't want DC in any Rugby schools from the grammar schools and Rugby itself is not a very inspiring place to live. Leamington or the villages around are a lot nicer.

Original poster
fra53r · 23/02/2015 11:04

Thank you everybody. All VERY helpful.

OP posts:
Choccywoccydodah · 23/02/2015 11:18

Fwiw, Rugby may not be the poshest of towns, but I wouldn't say to anyone to not live there or send their kids to the grammar schools there! Jeremy Clarkson and many celebrities children go to Rugby School.

NeitherHereOrThere · 23/02/2015 11:50

Rugby is just a normal town - nothing special but not horrible either. I also think the villages around Rugby are pretty decent too.

Peony58890 · 23/02/2015 14:01

Yes I agree rugby is just a bog standard town.

OP are you a town, village or city type?

TissueMad · 23/02/2015 14:46

Kineton is the closest secondary to Gaydon and it's a nice school, but it is probably well worth travelling a bit further to Southam College as it really is a very highly regarded school locally.

NigelMolesworth · 23/02/2015 14:53

Southam is great - doesn't look much but has everything you'd need and the people are very friendly. College is very well regarded locally. Local villages are Long Itchington, Stockton, Napton - all very nice. Prices more reasonable than Leamington however it does have a more rural feel so if you are city people at heart, you'd probably want to head more towards Leamington and Warwick. Leamington is lovely for shopping, eating etc. Myton is well spoken of as a school.

Original poster
fra53r · 24/02/2015 10:11

Thank you all! Decision to stay put for the moment. You have all been such a help. TU!

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