Secondary schools in Devon and Cornwall

[MudAndMess]

Hi,

There appears to be lots of old threads on this but nothing very recent that I can find (apologies if I've missed it) - I'm looking for opinions on state and independent secondary schools in Devon and Cornwall. We currently live near Tavistock and have 2 DS and our options are Launceston College or Okehampton College. Okehampton looks like it should be having a new Ofsted soon. We can be flexible to move for a good state secondary.

Both DH and I were educated privately and could possibly stretch to private but it would require a lot of sacrifice including selling the house so trying to weigh up whether or not it's worth it. We don't think our DS would pass 11+ for grammer. We want to be sensible about finding the best option for the kids. Any advice would be gratefully received . Thank you.

I don't know about schools in Devon and Cornwall but would strongly counsel anyone NOT to put themselves in difficult financial straits by selling their house to afford private schooling.
If you can get into a state school with a good or better Ofsted, honestly, you will be fine. Private schooling may offer some advantages in terms of facilities and a culture of success, but there are other advantages of a state education including meeting a people from a wide range of backgrounds from your local community.

We are east Devon and when buying our house everyone and their grandmothers told us we NEEDED to be in the catchment for Kings in Ottery.

Check the Ofsted reports for each school and, if possible, visit the schools. Maybe the different schools have different focus - sports, languages etc - so consider your DC strengths/interests. If you were privately educated you are probably aware of this but if you think paying for private education would be a stretch are you budgeting for the extras as well as the fees? (Expensive uniforms, sports equipment, trips etc)

Thank you all for your comments. Very sensible advice. Does anyone have any good/bad recent experience with Launceston or Okehampton Colleges? Good to hear about Kings.

You live near Tavistock. Isn’t Tavistock College an option?

How old are your children?

Not sure why you are not including Tavistock College? Friends of friends' DC have done very well there, including going on to Oxbridge.

I used to work at Okehampton. I'd love to go back and would send my daughter there in a heartbeat

Hi parrotonmyshoulder Yes, Tavi College is an option but I haven't specifically asked about it as I've already been given lots of (negative) opinions about it by friends so have cancelled it out in my mind but will be open-minded if you have a different (and up to date) opinion. Crabbyandproudofit when were your friends' kids there?

My eldest son starts secondary next year and we're happy to move within Devon/Cornwall. I like the idea of Devonport but not convinced he'd get through the 11+ - any views on this school?

eggofmantumbi what was it you liked so much about Okehampton?

They are in their 20s now so around 2005-2015. They are a family who would probably have done well at any school but were definitely not the only ones in their years to do so. I don't know them well enough to know if they had any problems or how the school handles issues. Of course schools can change over time, particularly if leadership changes. Good luck with your decision.

@MudandMess They are in their 20s now so around 2005-2015? They are a family who would probably have achieved academically at any school but were definitely not the only ones in their years to do so. I don't know them well enough to know if they had any problems or how the school handles issues.

Good luck with your decision.

Apologies for double post

Fabulous supportive, visible SLT.
Really strong staff, always willing to share ideas etc.
Happy staff. Turnover is for staff who move on to a promotion.
I know a lot of people who still work there who are very happy. That's rare!