Best state secondary schools in Hampshire and can we afford to live in catchment?

[NellyJames]

We are relocating to Hampshire. DH needs to get back into London just 3 times a fortnight so commute not really an issue.
Our eldest will be finishing GCSEs when next DC moves into Y6. Youngest will move into Y4. So we’d like to be in catchment for an excellent senior school for the younger 2 and where older one can do Alevels. I understand there’s far less pressure on 6th form places.

2 snags: we need 5 bed as it’s very likely that infirm MIL will move in within a couple of years max (she has no property so can’t contribute)
We have a max budget of 700k which I know will limit choice in very expensive SE.
DH has suffered a mini breakdown and whilst work have been phenomenal with regards working from home on a permanent basis (he’s quite senior) he’s very keen to be near the coast. Not to live on the coast but to be able to access it within an hour or so.
But schools will really determine where we end up.

Peter Symonds is excellent, there is a good reason lots leave private education to do 6th form at it.

Do the Falkland Islands still send their 6th Formers to Peter Symonds?

How about Christchurch? It’s at the edge of Hampshire, but it’s lovely and Twynham high school a excellent. You get easy access to both the coast and New Forest.

Thanks for all the comments.
Would we need to live in Winchester to get a place at Peter Symonds? I doubt we can afford to live there.

Peter Symonds takes people from all over if they are willing to travel.
I expect on their website you can see where the buses run from.
It isn't unusual for people to travel an hour plus by bus for 6th form.

They have around 1500-2000 (yes 2000) in a year group.

If you are Catholic then Oaklands in Purbrook is excellent, has a 6th form and is 20 minutes from the beach at Southsea.
St Edmunds in Portsmouth is also excellent, but also gives preference to Catholic applicants.

If you are c of e and relatively devoted or have girls, Chichester could work. Not by the sea but close enough to cycle / short drive. Property prices not cheap though

By which I mean if you get two are girls. The church school is basically a free for all for anyone with good grades at 6th form level

Chichester High is now merged (so no benefit for girls), and Bishop Luffa is still religious. Plus I’m not sure OP’s budget would stretch to the right sort of house.

A lot of teenagers in Petersfield travel into Godalming for sixth form at Godalming College.
It's really good and has a massive catchment.

@SabrinaThwaite

Do the Falkland Islands still send their 6th Formers to Peter Symonds?

I believe so.

Yes Godalming or Alton sixth forms from Petersfield, with Godalming the slightly more academic I'm told.

Barton Peveril 6th form is in Eastleigh, has a rep of better pastoral care than Peter Symonds (though that's just hearsay) and takes some of the Thornden lot. But the schools really are all pretty good and I know loads of people who are firmly committed to neighbouring Crestwood or Toynbee over Thornden.

The most popular secondaries do fill up and the application date is early - October of Y6? - Hants LEA publishes a good set of admissions data so you can see which ones fill up.

In-year admissions can be problematic in primaries. They are very, very full in some areas so you are unlikely to get much choice.

Arnewood in the New Forest might be worth a look. Great access to the coast, school 6th form I believe, further on the train to London but the location might work for you all.

The thing with the sixth forms and colleges thing is that they iperate a bit differently in the county...due to the fact that they have to provide for the parents worried about the lack of sixth forms in the area and the students who want independence. Most of Dd class have chosen the bigger colleges Peter Symonds, Godalming, Alton, Havant with some going to specialist colleges like ACM and Sparsholt. They all make their own decisions though...

And another vote here for Bay House in Gosport, I had three boys go through there and on to university. I prob saw you at the beach today as well!

@Knittingnanny

And another vote here for Bay House in Gosport, I had three boys go through there and on to university. I prob saw you at the beach today as well!

I was at Hillhead! We are soooool lucky to have such an amazing beach on our doorstep.

I was out there attempting to paddle board

I love hillhead, it’s on our lockdown circular bike route, alverstoke, Lee, alver valley, hillhead via the jigsaw lady in old street and back through tanners lane!
My boys loved the sixth form at bayhouse and didn’t even consider the local college as they had built up good relationships with staff, enjoyed the sport and music etc
£700k will get you a lovely house on the coastline here, but check the catchment carefully as the 2 other secondary schools have no sixth form and are not so ....... good.
I’m a recently retired teacher, ask me anything! As the other thread goes!

Teacher, but excuse the lack of capital letters! No excuse.

What is Alverstoke like? It seems in catchment for Bay House School.

I've heard it is lovely ...the posh part of Gosport? There used to be issues getting around from that part of the coast but who knows now everything is changing with Covid. The roads are much quieter now ...except when it is a hot sunny weekend day.
Outdoors life is great.

It is lovely. Gosport is a very mixed area. Traffic getting in and out used to be horrendous but I haven't been there much in the last few years.

That round is lovely and quiet and about half a mile from the beach. The local junior schools are both good and near that house
Alverstoke Juniors and Gomer Juniors
The other local juniors not quite so
Most of Alverstoke is Nay House catchment. You wouldn’t get in if out of catchment as too popular. Eg if you went for a harbour side house in Priddys Hard you are in Brune Park catchment which is..... not like Bay House
Lee on Solent is partly bay house catchment

Road not round!

There are areas to avoid as any other town of course

Sorry about the typing errors , I’m in the hairdressers and hot and sweaty with a mask on and have forgotten my glasses.
I live in Alverstoke so ask me anything and I will be truthful with answers

@Knittingnanny

I love hillhead, it’s on our lockdown circular bike route, alverstoke, Lee, alver valley, hillhead via the jigsaw lady in old street and back through tanners lane! My boys loved the sixth form at bayhouse and didn’t even consider the local college as they had built up good relationships with staff, enjoyed the sport and music etc £700k will get you a lovely house on the coastline here, but check the catchment carefully as the 2 other secondary schools have no sixth form and are not so ....... good. I’m a recently retired teacher, ask me anything! As the other thread goes!

We don't live on peninsular but my da went to Crofton as I got it named on his ehcp.

My other choices were the 2 town academy's (which are shocking and another secondary that wasn't right for him!)