Prince's Mead vs Pilgrims vs Twyford

[rabbitsnap]

Hi, we are planning to move to Winchester over the next year, in time for our eldest son to start reception in 2015. We are considering some state primaries, but as we are finding it difficult to find a house, so we don't want to tie ourselves down to specific catchment areas. We have therefore been looking at the three schools listed. Our son(who is almost 4) is fairly reserved, independent and sensitive. He also seems to be pretty bright and focused (so far). Any opinions on any of the above schools would be very welcome.
Thanks

[RainbowTeapot]

Not specific advise - but Winchester does have some fantastic state schools. It's such a wealthy area.

[rabbitsnap]

Thanks. We have been to see a few, and really liked them. The problem is the catchment areas are so small, it really limits you on houses. We certainly won't rule them out though, if we find a house we like, in a good school catchment.

[rabbitsnap]

anyone?

[rabbitsnap]

Shameless bump

[TalkinPeace]

more to the point are there many dud state schools in Winohester?
the catchments join up so its not that big a worry from what I hear

[strawberrypenguin]

No experience of them as a parent but have visited Pilgrims and Twyford as part of my work. Both are lovely, Twyford has fab facilities including a library for each end of the school! Pilgrims is boys only as I'm sure you know but again lovely setting. I guess until you visit them you won't know which suits your son, but I don't think you could go wrong with any of the schools you have listed!

[rabbitsnap]

Thanks for replying. Though Winchester is small, it's primary schools are really over subscribed. For example, my Mum's next door neighbours little girl was offered a space at a village school on a different side of Winchester, as the local school(which I went to) is now so oversubscribed. That village school is ok, but not worth moving from London in search of great schools for.
Strawberry Penguin we do need to go and see all the private schools. Annoyingly, we now have to wait until the new term. From what information I can find, I think we like the sound of Prince's Mead, with the view that they would then go on to either one of the local schools, or King Edward Vi's in Southampton. Our concern would be whether despite seeming more relaxed(which we like), it is still academic enough?

[rabbitsnap]

Would love to hear from any Prince's Mead parents

[Lemonsole]

Winchester has no bad primary schools. With a new, two-form entry primary coming on stream at Westgate this September, most people seem to have been able to get a place at either their first or second choice school - assuming they filled the form in sensibly and didn't apply for way-out-of catchment places.

In my experience there is no or very little academic advantage to be gained from going private in the city - unless you are dead-set on a private and selective secondary, which would lead you towards Pilgrims or Twyford. Twyford is the more humane of the two. Pilgrims and St Swithuns are largely single-sex, which for many is a turn-off at primary.

Princes Mead doesn't seem to attract the full spectrum of academic ability, from where I sit. The Hampshire Chronicle prints puff pieces each year at how proud the school is that its pupils have "won" places at the secondary schools of their choice - even when these are our fantastic comps for which the only selection criteria is where you live . Relatively few seem to go on to the more selective private secondaries.

[Holidaysressential]

I went to princes mead as did most of my parents friends children many of whom I still keep up with. It is a lovely school and judging by friends who have sent their children there it is less pretentious than twyford and they are all pleased with it. I know lots of kids at pilgrims which is an excellent school but very strict and academic. Pilgrims mostly feeds Winchester where as princes mead feeds a real variety of schools and many go on to king Edwards.

[rabbitsnap]

Thank you both for replying. Lemon sole, it is good to get a local opinion, though some of what you say doesn't correspond with the information I have been given or found out about the school. Only a minority of children from Prince's Mead go to Kings, and Westgate after they leave(it seems none go to Henry Beaufort?). By far the two biggest exit schools are King Edward the Vi's in Southampton, and St Swithuns. From what I have read, both of these schools require a good academic standard on entering. I would love to hear from someone who has children at Princess Mead currently(or in the recent past). Holidays, what you have written seems to tie in with what I am hoping Princess Mead will be: somewhere relaxed and less traditional, yet with teaching that can stretch able children.

[Decaux]

Hi rabbitsnap,

I'm curious to find out what you have decided. Like you I am contemplating which pre-prep to send my son (aged 4 - starting in Sept 2015). Pilgrims is very close to us and seems lovely (it was on the day I visited it!).

Thanks