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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Secondary schools in Leyland and Bamber Bridge

28 replies

kat2350 · 22/11/2019 21:19

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have any experiences with Balshaw's Church of England High School or Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High School?

We are looking at relocating to Bamber Bridge or Leyland area and was wondering if anyone could share their experiences/opinions about these 2 schools?

Would greatly appreciate. Thank you.

OP posts:
CalleighDoodle · 22/11/2019 21:20

Or you catholic or anglican?

Original poster
kat2350 · 22/11/2019 21:40

@CalleighDoodle we are catholic, but I have worked in church of England schools myself and I believe secondary schools accept catholic students, so it doesn't matter really.

OP posts:
Original poster
kat2350 · 22/11/2019 21:42

I've forgotten about this school: Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy..

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FleeBee · 22/11/2019 21:52

Balshaws is very over subscribed & you possibly won't get I from Bamber Bridge. I'd recommend Leyland St Marys it's a catholic school which has really turned around & has a new head in place. I don't know much about the Bamber Bridge schools though.

Ilikesweetpeas · 22/11/2019 22:02

I have experience of Bishops, it's an excellent school. I have heard good things about both of the others also. PM me if you want to know more about Bishops. Look carefully into catchment though, it's very oversubscribed and you may also need a church reference

Original poster
kat2350 · 22/11/2019 22:03

@FleeBee do you know anyone from Leyland's St Marys High School maybe? I have looked at this school, however some reviews online put me off sadly..

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Original poster
kat2350 · 22/11/2019 22:11

@Ilikesweetpeas thank you for reply. I've sent a private message.

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CalleighDoodle · 22/11/2019 22:47

It does matter as it will put you further down the list for admissions.

Ive a teacher colleague whose children are ks4 at brownedge and i know staff there. They say positive things about it.

I know staff at leyland st mary’s too and they are very positive about it.

If you're going to try out of catchment, id have a pop at all hallows penwortham.

FleeBee · 22/11/2019 23:16

Leyland St Marys is an excellent school. I disregarded all online stories, spoke to staff including the new head. Plenty of positive stories from current students & parents. Look round it, I was very surprised & impressed.

You do need church reference for for Bishops & it is over subscribed

Original poster
kat2350 · 23/11/2019 11:09

@FleeBee thank you for your reply. I guess that is what I should do, ignore the online stories.

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FleeBee · 23/11/2019 12:41

The truth is it did have plenty of problems in the past & they are open about that, this might be where negative online stories have come from.
So much has changed & improved, the new leadership team are positive & enthusiastic. I hope you do get to look round.
Good luck in your search for a school that suits you and your DC

Springboard · 23/11/2019 14:27

My dad went to Balshaws! This was in the mid 1940s, it was a grammar school then. He's 87 now, has fond memories of it. He had a maths teacher who set him on the path for what became his career.
I know that's no help to you at all @kat2350 Smile

Lonpob · 23/11/2019 17:37

I completed my PGCE placement at Brownedge St Mary's, and it had a lovely ethos. As a smaller school, it really seemed like the staff knew all the students individually and the senior leadership team had a real presence around school and genuine and supportive interest in what was going on in classrooms.

Sodamncaughtinthemiddle · 23/11/2019 17:53

Brownedge St Mary's isn't great. Its better than It was but it's a not a school I would pick.
All Hallows is great Its in Penwortham but has bus stops all over bamber bridge and surrounding areas
Walton le Dale High is also near Bamber Bridge but again not great
Leyland st Mary's is meant to be ok.

Original poster
kat2350 · 23/11/2019 18:31

@Springboard maybe no help, but it is definitely nice to hear stories like these :)

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Original poster
kat2350 · 23/11/2019 18:35

@Sodamncaughtinthemiddle thank you so much for your comment, I appreciate your honesty. I know it depends on the person's experiences and views but I do need to hear both, positive and negative opinions. High school is such an important decision in my opinion and it is child's 5 years of life and a preparation for further education.

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scarecrowfeet · 23/11/2019 18:55

Bishops is the best of the ones you mentioned. If you're looking around Buckshaw you may also fall into the Chorley catchment for St Michaels or Holy Cross.

CalleighDoodle · 23/11/2019 19:00

I wouldnt consider walton le dale at all...

CalleighDoodle · 23/11/2019 19:02

St michaels will need very regular church attendance from year 5. Might even be year 4.

Holy cross is lovely. I was considering moving to brinscall, and that would have been my first choice school for dc.

Ilikesweetpeas · 23/11/2019 19:11

I've replied to your pm about Bishop Rawstorne and tried to send you a link which I don't think worked. Here it is again! It's helpful because you can compare value added and results from 2019 whereas some ofsted reports are very out of date

www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables

cptartapp · 23/11/2019 19:26

I have two DC at All Hallows. It's been great. Oversubscribed though.

Original poster
kat2350 · 23/11/2019 20:14

@ scarecrowfeet @CalleighDoodle thank you so much for mentioning Holy Cross and St Michaels. For some reason, we haven't considered Chorley. We are in a position to move and are quite flexible thankfully, but have no idea why I didn't look at Chorley. Does anyone live in Chorley or surrounding villages?

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CalleighDoodle · 23/11/2019 20:33

Ive Literally just come off rightmove looking at brinscall again Grin. Rightmove is my only hobby. Sadly nothing of interest atm.

scarecrowfeet · 23/11/2019 20:46

I do op

Original poster
kat2350 · 23/11/2019 21:13

@CalleighDoodle same at the moment with rightmove Smile

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