Choosing School: Bishop Wordsworth's (Salisbury) or Sir Thomas Rich's (Gloucester)?

[DrMummyTutor]

Hi,
My DS1 has been qualified for both Bishop Wordsworth's Grammar School in Salisbury (Wiltshire) and Sir Thomas Rich's Grammar school in Gloucester. For both schools his rank/Score is high, indicating a good chance of acceptance in whichever school we put first in our CAF.
We are currently living near Bath for DH's work & planning to move house in the coming summer nearer to the school we get. Both schools are equal distance for DH's commute, so no preference here.

• For property purchase which place (Salisbury or Gloucester) have more to offer? ** My DS2 still has some time to start in primary. Gloucester has more grammar options than Wiltshire, so is moving to Glos a better option than Salisbury for his future too? *I am looking for real info on school from the parents/tutors who have DC or students in either BWS or STRS. How are the teaching, subject choice, pastoral care, extra curricular clubs & sports facilities? Is your DS happy there? Any negative that you found? Any idea how the results differ in both & also Oxbridge offers? Your individual experience &. thoughts will help me to draw an overall picture. It's not only about school but also our growth as a family. Visiting the schools would have helped us decide. But sadly due to Covid cases rising we can't visit either school before submitting CAF by 31 October. That's why want to know as much as possible straight from the parents/tutors before taking the final decision. TIA

Are you sure you’ll get a place at BWS living so far away? It’s definitely not guaranteed and I know of two children living nearer who didn’t get spots even though they had strong passes.

I can’t help with Gloucester as I don’t know it but we are happy with BWS so far. Excellent sport (for a state school), especially rugby. It’s academically strong by all accounts but that’s largely down to it being selective I should think! All my encounters with staff have been positive so far but I haven’t had many to be honest and Covid hasn’t helped.

@Sweetsweetsoul

Are you sure you’ll get a place at BWS living so far away? It’s definitely not guaranteed and I know of two children living nearer who didn’t get spots even though they had strong passes.

I can’t help with Gloucester as I don’t know it but we are happy with BWS so far. Excellent sport (for a state school), especially rugby. It’s academically strong by all accounts but that’s largely down to it being selective I should think! All my encounters with staff have been positive so far but I haven’t had many to be honest and Covid hasn’t helped.

Do you mean getting sports in Year 7 or later? Do they decide subjects so early in Yr 7? For BWS, my DS has been qualified with a score well above than cut-off but STRS has given a rank. Compared with previous years's last accepted rank he seems to hold a good chance there too. But obviousely it will all be decided after CAF submission for Yr 7 entry. Both being in two counties is just making us confused which one to put in the first place (in case he's surely able to secure a place in both). Because there are many other issues to settle too!

@DrMummyTutor no I meant getting a place at the school at all - but you sound like you have done the research. We are 15 min walk from the school so I never had to look into it.
My DS is only in Y7 so I can’t comment on much but there has been no subject selection yet. Everyone does everything. Is that what you mean?

I think you should see which one offers you a space for sure if you really don’t mind which town you live in. I assume you know both areas and don’t have a preference? It’s a big commitment to move to a whole new area just for a school. I like Salisbury enough but I wouldn’t say it’s anything special! The surrounding countryside is beautiful though.

My son is at STRS and has loved every minute of his time there. All his friends have decided to stay on at 6th form. The sporting opportunities are excellent as are the music and drama. The pastoral care has been great for us, though I can’t speak for others. Other wider family members went to BWS and similarly loved it.
People commute to Tommies from Bath, Swindon, Bristol and even Wales.
Good luck and I’m sure either school would be a great choice.

@Sweetsweetsoul You are probably right. Because BWS has a preferred area as selection crireria in case of oversubscription, getting a place isn't confirm. On the exam day we just entered through the school gate to wait on the yard & that's all. Didn't get any idea about school buildings, facilities, playground, etc. How specious is the school? Just asking because it is so in the centre and found busy traffic on the doorstep. But loved the walk to the centre & cathedral area. Such a traditional charm. And we've been to the Stonehenge a few times, beautiful open countryside. I've briefly looked for accomodation & Amesbury seems to have more choices than any other area around. Indeed moving to a new place only depending on a school is a huge thing.
Good to know you live so close to school. Have you been there for long time? Does Salisbury have much to offer as a city other than the school itself? Where the families usually go for leisure time with DC? Any idea on Primary school options for my younger one? Sorry to ask too many questions, just can't let go the chance to hear from a local parent.
I got you on subject choice at the beginning. Are there enough extra curricular going before/after school? How is the study support & expectation from the teachers including behaviour management?

@bringmethehumous Thanks so much for your reply. Great to know your DS likes STRS so much. It seems to have an excellent reputation. Our knowledge so far is through the school website & introductory videos. So the first hand experience from you with DS there for few years is reassuring. We chose Marling as exam centre for being closer from home. So haven't gone beyond Stroud. No idea at all about Gloucester & don't know anyone from there. Glos looks to have more options to move in but our priority will be to live in the close proximity to school & also motorway so that DS can enjoy all the extras at school & for DH's commute to Bath & sometimes Swindon. Do you suggest any area where we should seriously look into & any we should avoid? Which area can offer the best primary for my DS2?
Regarding school, can you at all compare STRS with the Crypt & Marling? I really want my DS1 to be happy & enjoy the extra curriculars besides putting serious efforts in study for next few years.