State schools & sixth form in Oxfordshire and Winchester

[Higherfield12]

Does anyone have experience or can advise of state school options in Oxfordshire or Winchester. We are moving nearer parents and trying to decide which one to be nearer! Both DCs (DD12 & DS14) would move from a Prep school to state as we won't be able to afford the fees and the increase in housing costs. I'm looking for schools that would offer interesting curriculum and ideally co-curricular activities, although I suspect this is less important in sixth form and year 10 onwards, with all the exams!
Many thanks

Peter Symonds is the totally obvious hands down answer for 6th form.

Westgate is well thought of for secondary school.

What warning said. Kings is also really good. Thornden nearby is also great.

@WarningOfGails & @DorritLittle thank you - like the look of Westgate & PS although the latter looks huge and almost like a University Campus! Any ideas on waiting lists of experience of DCs going there?

Anyone local who want to go to PS and meets the entry criteria will get in. The advantage of size is the kids can do pretty much whatever A level combination they want.
If you don't like PS, you can commute down to Barton Peveril in Eastleigh.
(Or various non A level options round too.)

All 3 Secondary schools in Winchester are fine as far as I am aware. Kings, Westgate and Henry Beaufort. As you would be moving out of normal admission round that is good as you would be put in whoever had a space.

Nearby Thornden in Chandlers Ford is also good, as are both schools in Romsey (Romsey & Mountbatten), and I believe Perrins in Alresford is also good.

I have had friends with kids at all the schools I listed and they have all been happy. it will probably be a point of which schools have spaces. Be prepared to have kids in different schools.
Also check that they start GCSE options in y10 if only joining then.

They are all good. I second Perins in Alresford as being great, especially if your children are sporty or into performing. They have links with Winchester College and filmed some of their promo for their production there last year. This year they are back at The Grange again.

Apart from a few honourable exceptions (eg Cherwell in Oxford, Bartholomew in Eynsham), Oxfordshire is a bit of a black hole when it comes to state secondaries.

Hmmm. Oxon state schools.
Like pp said. Cherwell has the best reputation.
Loads of private schools though.

The main difference between Oxfordshire and Hampshire is that the schools in Oxfordshire are 11-18 and in Hampshire 11-16, with separate large sixth forms. I think Winchester/Chandlers Ford would be a good choice. All the schools have a good reputation and you have Peter Symonds for sixth form.

South Oxfordshire has a couple of good 11-16 secondary schools, Langtree and Gillotts which feed into Henley College. Didcot girls school, is well regarded and feeds into a mixed 6th form shared with St Birinus (don't know much about St Birinus, boys).

A lot from Langtree go on to The Downs for 6th form which is very good