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.

To be honest, for real coast and not harbour, you need to be west of Portsmouth and east of wittering. The harbour is lovely but not really crashing waves.

If you want to be on the coast, you could look at Felpham or Climping, but connections to London are worse.

You are probably better inland a bit at Petersfield and travelling down to the coast for walks etc.

[quote OrangeCinnamon1]@LittleBearPad have you done the Thorney Island Walk? I've only ever done part of it ..it does require some organisation because-MOD- but apparently when the tides out there is a massive sandy beach at the point.[/quote]
I haven’t. We always stuck to the Mill Pond but it looks good - maybe next time I’m down 😀

OP - Langstone could also be an option.

Petersfield’s neither one thing nor the other though. A faff to the sea and a bit meh.

Aldwick has some nice properties (and you can look out for Robert Smith from The Cure).

I’ll second Langstone! But also, going to plug Emsworth again ;)

I'll meet you at The Ship Inn for some Chips ;-)

Hampshire is full of woods! You could try the New Forest, e.g. Highcliffe or Brockenhurst, Romsey, Ringwood and surrounding villages which are not far to a beach. There are currently 5 bed 700K houses on the market in Alresford and Ropley which all have good schools, nice walks. Also Hayling Island. The Botley area is also nice. And Emsworth.

Good schools that I can think of:
Kings,
Thornden,
Wildern
Mountbatten and The Romsey School
John Hanson
The Petersfield School

Honestly though, there really are lots of good school in Hampshire.

But schools in Emsworth? Are you just looking at Bourne or Warblington?

@EasilyDelighted

I would have a look at Wickham, Bishop's Waltham, Waltham Chase. A lot of people I know have been happy with Swanmore school (secondary, no 6th form), the surrounding countryside is lovely, you aren't far from the beaches at Hill Head and Lee-on-the-Solent and you could drive up to Alton (30-40 mins) to catch the train once a fortnight. Not sure about property prices though.

I have a DD at Swanmore and another joining in September. They have been extremely good over the lockdown period and I've been really impressed by how much effort the teachers have made to connect with the children in that time.

A lot of parents dislike the 'hub' approach, but all the local schools have them and, to be honest, the way to stay out of the hub is to follow the rules. Since the early implementation, children with SN seem to be sent to O-block (SN area) rather than the hub, if they misbehave.

Horndean - great secondary school and links to good sixth forms

sale/details/55613605?search_identifier=3f5907db4aa6a3c7a1c6def6ee06e730

Titchfield - bus to Fareham then train to London

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/55616377?search_identifier=a9ab8604d4de5c23da1b2496da372c41

Cams Hill - near Fareham
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/54933244?search_identifier=79cd7589d707b2ea8a2a3d545495b068

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/55613605?search_identifier=3f5907db4aa6a3c7a1c6def6ee06e730

Don't know if that first link worked!

You might be better off renting first to get a feel for whichever area you choose, then take your time looking for a house to buy.

I grew up in Stubbington and have always dreamt about moving to Stokes Bay Beach and Alverstoke.

I agree though with renting first - somewhere like Fareham would be a good starting point to get a feel for what area around there you like and whether you want to be more the beach end or the meon valley way (for the woodlands) and check out the local schools. And check out proper travel links

@Knittingnanny, under normal circumstances renting would be the sensible option. However, we need to do it early next year between GCSEs and Alevels for DS1 and when DS2 goes into Y6 as we’ll need to be in a School catchment to apply in the autumn of Y6 for the following September. So we’d need to be renting where we definitely wanted to live to be in School catchment. On top of this I think DH really needs to be in his own house without long term stress of renting and prolonged house hunting.

@NellyJames

I love the area between Portsmouth and Southampton it is where I grew up

So do you need to be closer to

Beach or Wood
How important are transport links (Alverstoke is amazing but does very much rely on a car)
Do you need to be near a station to get into London or would a bus work or a drive to a station
Do you want a village/town or even more rural feel

NellyJames
When you come down, have a meal on the terrace of the Osborne View and your search will be ended

Bassett on the edge of Southampton is worth looking at as you get lots of space money, i.e. garden, peaceful. 35 mins drive to the New Forest coast or Farehamm beaches, big woods and green space on the doorstep. Good bike rides including off road. Kids on the Chilworth side usually go to Mountbatten and Peter Symonds or Peverill. Girls could go on the bus into town to St Anne's which is outstanding and has a sixth form. Southampton Parkway is a ten minute drive.

Also look at Chandlers Ford and nearby villages I.e. for Thorden. Kids go to Peter Symonds for 6th form.

Lots of space for your money!

@NellyJames I think there are so many good schools in the area that actually you need to figure out what it is you want and then match to the area/school

I would say you have an area stretching between Southampton/Winchester/Petersfield/Portsmouth as a starting point to explore and figure out what you like

I know you say you want your oldest to drive the youngest but I think that is not necessary - Peter Symonds for example would be perfect for him (and lots commute on a train from it I have friends who went there from Fareham/Stubbington) as he would be joining at the same time as everyone else.

Thanks again. You’ve all given such sound advice and lots for me to think about. I have a list of areas and a list of schools to check out. I think we just need to get down and see it. I’m hoping we’ll get a nice feel about an area when we visit.

Hythe area would be perfect for you. There is a marina and it's on the edge of the new forest, all walking distance. There is also lepe and calshot beaches 10 minute drive away. If you drive out into the forest there are beautiful beaches key haven, Milford on sea. There is a ferry from hythe that takes you into Southampton which is fun so you also have the city on your doorstep and the commute to Southampton station is 20-30 mins.

There are a few good schools in the area but not 6th form as far as I'm aware. But your close to both Peter symonns and Brockenhurst college.

Everyone on this thread has talked about such lovely places! I’ve always felt lucky to live here ( moved 42 years ago after leaving university in the midlands) but even more so today!
Just off to the beach for a couple of hours and will return tonight for the sunset
Shall we all send you some photos of our area?

Following your updates, I really wouldn't go for Winchester / Chandlers Ford / Romsey since as lovely as the area is and as good as the schools are, it really doesn't meet the level of nearness to the sea you want. We aren't 'coastal' in any sense.

I have to disagree with purple
The waterside schools are what keeps HCS full of students
and the transport from there to Symonds or Barton is a pig

much easier from the Fareham train line
and driving to Symonds is not easy - at least the parking there isn't

I think one of the key attractions for me , especially when my three boys were growing up and now all of my local grandchildren , is the closeness to a coastline. Easy to do spur of the moment , or short, quick visits, walks etc without a drive. I’m 3/4 mile away so a walk or 2 minute drive throughout the year.
Not sure it would be the same if I was say half an hour drive away.
Lots of the coastal areas mentioned are absolutely beautiful.
We like Chichester, Langston, Petersfield, Emsworth, Christchurch, Romsey, Witterings, and the New Forest.