Embley and KES or other independent schools Winchester/Southampton

[PenelopePilot77]

We are relocating Southampton/Winchester area summer of 2024. Hard to get a lot of info just Googling from a far. My DD will be entering YR10 and DS YR9. DD is above average academically and loves sports. DS will work academically but would rather play sports all day if he could for a grade. Unfortunately, we will only be in the area for 3yrs thus we are struggling with where to place kids so we don't have to move them from school to school within the 3yrs. The idea of an independent school with sixth form is appealing but not a necessity. I have seen mixed reviews with regards to Embley with new head as well as KES but they are older posts. Any current parents that can provided info about their experience? DS does require additional learning support and a nurturing environment but will work hard if there is a reasonable balance of sport and academics. Also wouldn't mind hearing about Thornden, Mountbatten or the Greggs School and any others I haven't found via Google.

Thornden, Mountbatten, Romsey, HenryB, Kings, Western all good state secondary schools, I'd happily use any of them though have different ethoses. From any of those you can go to Peter Symonds in Winchester or Barton Peveril in Eastleigh for 6th form.

If you will only be in the area for 3 years, you'll be moving one child mid A levels???

Agreed re the 3 years being a terrible time - although unfortunately being only one year apart a year either way makes little difference as it will just affect the other child. I think you may need to commit to staying longer (or potentially looking at boarding schools or finding another solution eg one parent staying when other moves, or a child moving in with family so as not to disrupt their education!). I wouldn't say that the Hampshire secondary schools and sixth form split is your problem here and if that's the only reason you are considering private schools in the area over state, it shouldn't be.

@PenelopePilot77 , yes just to add it's virtually impossible to move school during A levels because every school teaches the A level curriculum in a different order and you need continuity from your school to complete a UCAS form in autumn term of upper sixth (predicted grades, teacher reference etc).

As you will only be in the area for 3 years I would definitely consider a combination involving Peter Symonds for you oldest. It is a state boarding sixth form so your oldest wouldn't need to move for year 13 ( very tricky move). Symonds is the catchment sixth for the Falklands and is popular with forces families too so it's boarding element is well established.

More a 6th form with some limited boarding rather than a 'state boarding 6th form'.

I would look at other places over Embley.

Why is that @SB6 ?

Primary School- Embley, Stroud or Sherborne house which is good

senior school - Embley or King Edward’s school?

We are planning to move to Southampton. But local insight and any recommendations would be helpful. We are looking for schools that offer a well-rounded mix of extracurricular activities and strong academic programs.

Thinking of sending my child to KES in Southampton next year for year 7. She has average academics. Is the entrance exam difficult? Would you need a tutor? Or could she just do it with little preparation.

My impression of KES is that it’s a high achieving and competitive school so would possibly suit your DD. I liked it a lot on open day but I only know one family in y7.
Peter Symonds highly rated though the logistics are more like a uni - they have more students then can physically be on campus at any one time apparently. No idea if true!
My DC are in à neighbouring area and they have a lot of fixtures against Embley so I assume that’s pretty sporty.
if your DS needs additional support definitely look at Gregg, if has an excellent reputation for meeting individual needs and learning styles from what I’ve heard.

Ah just realise this is an old thread so my response was to original OP

Thank you. Do you know if the entrance exam for KES is difficult and requires a lot of preparation?