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.

@NellyJames

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

That might be the one I linked to above?

Alver Stoke is lovely. Really nice area with Alver valley nature parry, beach near and really good schools

And the traffic issue may not matter if you ferry across to Portsmouth and can travel by train from there.

Peter Symonds are good and have a very wide catchment, as does the secondary comprehensive “Kings” in Winchester.

From my own experience, we think Westgate and Thornden are even better comps (Westgate never gets “outstanding” but we really like it and our eldest had a happy time there getting good grades)

Everyone moves to separate 6th form, so that is not an issue in terms of friendships ime

Other DS is at Barton a Peveril now, which we rate even more than Symonds, it has been amazing during lockdown too.

The comp in Romsey is good too (and houses not as £££ as around Winchester)

Our nearest nice beach is Bournemouth where I normally only ever go on school days (back when schools were open) it’s a 50 minute drive. Another nice beach is West Wittering (other direction) both unbearably crowded since lockdown though

House prices in Hants are a bummer, but in terms of location it works for so many people I guess...

Can I be blunt and ask what your budget is?

Dorset?

lloe7 so did anything happen to the perpetrator? Wonder where he is at now?

What a terrible traumatic experience.
I am so sorry for what you were put through.

I was looking at places to live and saw your post

If you want a 6th form then Lymington - Priestlands - it worth checking out.

For Value Form Money, have a look at the Romsey School and Mountbatten areas

For the best combo, look at Alton, Petersfield, Alresford or outskirts of Winchester - Kings Worthy has reasonable bits

The Symonds catchment covers the whole of Hampshire, Isle of wight, parts of Wiltshire, Berkshire and Dorset !

If driving to a station is not a hassle then do look at Swanmore

Basically anything south of Basingstoke you'll be able to buy a house and find a decent school

This is (just) within the budget in the OP
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71593338.html

as is this
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62310348.html

@Pikachubaby, we’re moving from up north so our budget isn’t great by SE standards but hopefully we’ll get something. Budget is 700k and we need 5beds for us plus MIL. So I don’t think we can afford Winchester or NE Hants but then we don’t need a regular commute.

Thank you @ListeningQuietly. The second one looks good. First one seems virtually on an A road and small with half the bedrooms downstairs.
Thanks to everyone who have given advice. I’m taking note of all of it.

Nelly
The Causeway is not a busy road
it has the cycle route to the school running along it :-)

Here is another option
Thornden catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-95647094.html

2 hours on the train to Waterloo where i am in dorset. Cheaper and less suburban than Hants.

Swanmore catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-92424263.html

Mountbatten Catchment with a ready made granny flat
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94219376.html

@ListeningQuietly, thanks so much. We’re coming down for w reccie soon so I’ll be checking out all these areas.
@BoxhillBertha, thanks. We’re definitely including the Hampshire end of Dorset in our search. DH just wants to live by the sea and I just want to ensure we’re in catchment for a good school.

Priestlands Catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-85431347.html

I'd definitely include the Meon Valley (A32 corridor) in your search.

Crofton Catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86340155.html

Crofton have the coolest Year 11 leavers "ceremony" there is
www.dailyecho.co.uk/photographs/news_galleries/2015_photos/may/crofton_egg_flour/

PS in case you are wondering
I travel all over Hampshire for work so know lots of the towns and areas
and have had reason to study the Ofsted tables for the county very thoroughly

OP, as you have seen we have quite a lot of good schools round here.
I suggest you visit a few areas, shortlist 2 or 3 you like for your other criteria, and then check the schools.

I think someone has mentioned Hounsdown School. My dc went there followed by Peter Symonds (easy by train) and did very well. We live just outside Totton. Mainline trains to London stop at Totton and Ashurst and it's also close to the M27. You'll get a fantastic house within your budget here.

Primary schools around here are all good too.

I would avoid Lyndhurst personally as although it's gorgeous, in the summer it's constant traffic jams.

Winchester. Walking distance for Kings and Westgate Secondary schools as well as Peter Symonds. Nice road/location. Open to offers.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89662382.html

And another. Even better location than the last one but terraced is the main compromise.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94366217.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70691136.html

Also maybe look at the Waterside/Hythe area (SO45), Noadswood and Applemore have good reputations and you'd get a lot for your money. However this area doesn't have a train line any more although there's talk of its reopening, and the A326 which is the only road in and out gets very congested.

Alverstoke is lovely, the entirety of the rest of Gosport itself is... questionable. Lee/Stubbington and surroundings are fine. Bay House school is very good.

Petersfield is outstanding, I live 8 miles away and kids a couple of years up got in, but mine didn’t this year. We were gutted. Havant is cheaper for the train to London though. Have you looked at the surrounding villages between Petersfield and Havant? Westbourne, Emsworth, Rowland’s Castle etc. All lovely.

We love where we live.