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.

Thanks you, @Knittingnanny. I think that’s what we’re looking for and what DH is desperately craving.

@Knittingnanny, did you say you were Alverstoke/Gosport way and your boys went to Bay House? I’m really leaning towards this area but of course we’ve not visited yet.

Christchurch

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72417684.html

@NellyJames

Be careful there is a lot of difference between ending up in Alverstoke and ending up in Gosport

I grew up in Stubbington/Lee on Solent and still have friends there - one friend had an amazing house right on Stokes Bay (Alverstoke) front on Palmerston Way and still tempted to move back

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81398839.html

But yes be wary of Brune Park and Bridgemary

Crofton the Stubbington school isnt sixth form either

Romsey is a half hour easy drive away from a beach (but through the forest, with horses and donkeys!) but agree it is lovely way of life with good schools (and beautiful walks).

For me, the Fareham area is too built up generally so I prefer West Hampshire. I agree there are some lovely pockets though.

Listening HCS the school?

Purple
yup. Lots of their kids come from Applemoor and Noadswood catchments ...

The people I've met through work who do the commute on the Gosport ferry wouldn't have it any other way.. much like the Isle of Wighters. Of course it helps to have a job where you can work from home..but they rave about the quality of life. One even lives on a boat in the marina.

@NellyJames

Stokes Bay / Alverstoke sounds like it might be right for you, but do check houses/catchment areas. You might also like to consider Hill Head, just further down the other side of Lee on Solent. (The catchment then would be Crofton I think.) We have friends in both and they are lovely. We live just north of Fareham and have the fields nearby, its about a 15-20 min drive to the sea from here. Swanmore as someone else mentioned would be the catchment school (although mine are not there!)

My eldest started yr 7 last Sept and we have friends in pretty much all of the local schools so we have an idea about how they've all been during lockdown and the general feel at the moment. It very much depends on what you want from a school as to which one to go for.

Listening I'm not sure they do.
Both my girls are there (now Embley) in senior and prep and I only know of 1 other pupil from the waterside area. Most are from the other side Salisbury way or Winchester.

purple
fair enough
it may have changed
I know several families who live waterside (because the houses are cheap) and sent their kids up to HCS

I live in one of the towns mentioned. Not near the sea although a 40 minute drive in a good day but in a few minutes I’m out on the hills barely seeing anyone and quiet. The schools are fab and both secondaries get their fair share of 9s and the sixth form college sends to Oxbridge, Russell group as well as other places. The pace of life is different - I can’t go just for quick trip to the supermarket- you bump into people and you have a quick chat. There is so much going on and a real community feel. Someone posted on our Facebook page about moving to our town and should they and within minutes was inundated with people saying how fantastic it was and offering help/to meet up when they had finally settled.

I grew up in commutersville in Kent, did the pressurised grammar system but I’m so glad we didn’t decide to stay there - my kids are very happy and I wouldn’t now want to live anywhere else. Lots of kids either walk/cycle or if they live further out get the school buses. It would be unusual for an elder sixth form sibling to take them. My DD will start walking to and from school by herself in sept - year 5 either from ours or the childminder.

I know you say your DH doesn’t mind a long commute, but where is he going to in London? I’d not be keen to go further out than Southampton because most places in London are 2h door to door (unless right by Waterloo). It’s actually quite tricky to find a spot close to the station, in catchment for good secondary, and not too far from the coast. I think Gosport/Alverstoke is too remote/traffic impacted to be a really good choice. Plenty of lovely coastal walks along the New Forest coast, but I’d probably look to live between Southampton and Winchester.

Yes I live in alverstoke borders and boys all went through bay house, first grandson will go year after next.
I’ve taught in primary schools in Gosport since 1978 and the 2 in Alverstoke still remain the higher achieving due to the catchment areas ( sorry if that offends but it’s a fact) There are some deprived areas in Gosport as in all towns and cities but it certainly wouldn’t put me off. Some of the other primaries are achieving well.
Sadly the other 2 secondaries in Gosport have had their share of ups and downs over the years.
The town centre near the ferry is suffering as lots are but there is a really fabulous Discovery centre ( library and cafe).
There is a lovely house in your price range near Stanley Park (which leads to the beach ) on Rightmove at the moment!
As tempted as I would be to live on the seafront itself or lee on the Solent seafront a friend who lives there has put me off saying that the carparks are noisy at night with groups of motor cyclists.
There are a good few houses on rightmove at the moment in this area and further afield, you will have no problem in finding a family home in your price range.
Agree that Stubbington and Hillhead are lovely places to live .

Inland, and right on Hampshire/Surrey boarder, but Grayshott is a lovely village
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82467307.html

Omg k have so many memories of walking around the Mill pond as a kid.

It was much nicer when the swans weren't in a bad mood

@Quartz2208

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

The schools in Fareham wouldn't be what OP is looking for unless she gets in to Crofton end of Fareham.

[quote June2008]@NellyJames

Stokes Bay / Alverstoke sounds like it might be right for you, but do check houses/catchment areas. You might also like to consider Hill Head, just further down the other side of Lee on Solent. (The catchment then would be Crofton I think.) We have friends in both and they are lovely. We live just north of Fareham and have the fields nearby, its about a 15-20 min drive to the sea from here. Swanmore as someone else mentioned would be the catchment school (although mine are not there!)

My eldest started yr 7 last Sept and we have friends in pretty much all of the local schools so we have an idea about how they've all been during lockdown and the general feel at the moment. It very much depends on what you want from a school as to which one to go for.[/quote]
Your right by me then! We walk the old railway line a lot through those villages and the fields.

It was my lockdown Haven. Just mikes and mikes of open space to keep my sanity in tact!

@Ionacat, are you Petersfield/Winchester way or more NE Hants Fleet way? Just trying to gauge where we could be just a few minutes from hill walks etc and with great schools.
@Knittingnanny, thanks. I’m keeping an eye on Rightmove for the area.
@Flamingolingo, he’s in Blackfriars.
@GreenShadow, thanks. Not keen on being bavk in the commuter belt though.

@June2008, thanks. I want a vibrant high achieving comp. Our catchment school at the moment is like this and I’m hoping to get as close to that as possible. I have 2 very academic children and 1 who struggles a bit. So I want somewhere accessible for Alevels for my very academic DS1. DS2 isn’t academic but loves sport and is very sociable so I want somewhere that supports him to do his best. DD is younger but already clearly academic. She’s also extremely talented at art so again, a school that will push her academically but also nurture her talents and interests. Do any schools spring to mind?

@itsgettingweird, your walks sound idyllic. Where would we start? Just thinking it may be worth a walk in a couple of weeks when we come down.

I grew up, and my parents still live, in the north eastern corner of Portsmouth. I could easily see the sea from my bedroom window. But it would still be a 20/30 minute car ride to the beach unless Langstone Harbour counts as beach. You can also drive to Havant Station in 10 minutes and the fast train to London is about 1 hour and 10 mins. But these places all require car (or bus) journeys. Have you thought about looking at places around Chichester harbour? No idea about schools, but do remember to look at how they do with the type of children you have, eg above average, average etc. I think diversity could be an issue unless in the middle of Portsmouth or Southampton.

But what about you Nellyjames, what do you like to do? Work, hobbies, friends etc

@NellyJames I know you wanted an all the way through school but it sounds to me as if the college system may well help here. Because different colleges will suit your different children and it is fairly normal to travel.

From Stubbington we went off to Fareham/St Vincents/Peter Symonds/Havant and Barton Peveril Colleges.

Barton Peveril College in particular has both academic and sports programmes and is on the Southampton/Eastleigh side

I know they sound massive but it is common for the area I found prepared me for Uni much more than those who stayed at the same school

@itsgettingweird

I was the Crofton end of Fareham!

@NellyJames Hounsdown School us a vibrant high achieving comp, ofsted outstanding in 2017. It's in Totton which is west of Southampton on the New Forest border. Catchment includes West Totton, Ashurst, Ashurst Bridge and several lovely villages. Lots of property choices and prices. Near the sea, near the forest and the London train line. Various sixth form college choices including Peter Symonds, Barton Peveril, Brockenhurst.