Possible move to Southampton

[Mazglas]

I am thinking of moving to Southampton and wanted to know if the Secondary schools are still an issue. I have a child of 6 yrs and wanted to get her into a good primary with the idea of feeding into a good secondary school in the area in the future. I have do not drive so want an area that still has shops etc but can get into town center etc . I have been doing so research and networking and have been told Shirley, Highfield and Bitterne in Southampton but have also been told Romsey, Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh. We will be making a proper visit shortly and wanted some more advice.

Partly will depend on your budget.

Romsey is a small market town, with some shops (Lidl & Waitrose, M&Co & New Look, coffee shops galore, but not things like Sainsburys, M&S).
It has 4 primary schools, 3 of which I would recommend, & 2 very good comps.
Drive/train to Southampton in 15-20mins.

CF/Eastleigh - Thornden v.good, I have heard good things of Toynbee.

S'oton secondaries have been less good in the past but some are fine I believe. Certainly a large number of families bypass NW Soton schools and send their children into Romsey ones.

Very good 6th forms around, Symonds in Winchester, Barton Peverill in Eastleigh to name but 2. (Hants schools don't have their own 6th forms generally).

Shirley or Highfield would fit your bill in Southampton itself - walkable to shops, good transport links to city centre.

In terms of secondary schools, some which have had poor reputations are improving. I hear good things about Upper Shirley High, and much better things about Cantell and St George's than previously. For girls, St Anne's is a very good option.

But, as has already been said, it depends on your budget!

I think secondary school wise Romsey is the best but will obvs be more expensive to buy.

Avoid some areas of Chandlers Ford if you don't drive. Valley Park is a public transport desert.

I live in Southampton. St Anne's is a very good, solidly academic (85% 9-4 in English and Maths), Ofsted outstanding girls school. It is however extremely Catholic, which may be something that puts you off.

Thank you all. Coming from the outskirts of London I was favouring more Eastleigh than Chandlets Ford.

Have not looked into Romsey but will do so.

Given me loads to think about and confirmed some things for me.

Thanks again !

If you want urban, then Romsey is not it!

But we have summer carnival, winter lantern parade, Beggars Fair music festival weekend, & yarn bombing(!).
There is a swimming pool, an abbey, a library, and an amateur theatre.

No MacDonalds, BK, KFC or Pizza Hut.