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Great happy primary school and excellent secondary in south-east corner. where?!

20 replies

Herewegoagainitseems · 28/07/2014 22:18

We have decided to uproot with our two children. Many reasons but I won't bore you. Both in primary but one will be in secondary soon.

We really want to find a primary with excellent results but also known for being a happy place. My daughter is a bundle of delight and laughter and is becoming increasingly subdued. Similarly, I want to find an extremely successful secondary school which ALSO has a sixth form.

So the criteria are:

Within an hour's drive of Guildford
Not as expensive as Surrey!
Happy primary school with high results
Happy secondary school with high results
Secondary school located in a nice spot to walk to
Secondary school has sixth form
Not too rural; possibly in market town.

Apologies. I have seen lots of threads like this but would love suggestions. We are seriously considering Sussex and Dorset and would like Hampshire but a sixth form is important to us.

I really appreciate any replies!!!!

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shopalot · 28/07/2014 22:29

Have PM's you as I would out myself completely!!!!!

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Herewegoagainitseems · 29/07/2014 00:00

Hi Shopalot. Many thanks. It hasn't arrived yet but I will look out for it. I really appreciate your time!!

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JWIM · 29/07/2014 08:23

What's the issue with school based 6th form rather than separate college? I live in Hampshire and we have great choice (with high success levels) at all 3 levels of education in and around a number of market towns, definitely within an hour of Guildford.

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mumsneedwine · 29/07/2014 09:38

Ascot very nice. And some bits are just about affordable for the normal person. Lots of great primary schools and one very good secondary. About 35 minutes to Guildford.

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MasqueradeWaltzer · 29/07/2014 09:42

Highcliffe, just outside Christchurch, has Ofsted outstanding primary and a good secondary school with 6th form. Also, lovely area but I don't think it's cheap.

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RainbowTeapot · 29/07/2014 09:47

Winchester is the best option but possibly too expensive. The hampshire 6th forms are superb with specialist teachers. As everyone goes there its not vocational/those wgo drop out of school.

Christchurch and ringwood are lovely but might be too far.

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IvyBeagle · 29/07/2014 13:08

How about Alton or Bordon?

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IvyBeagle · 29/07/2014 13:08

or Odiham?

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LIZS · 29/07/2014 13:10

Horsham

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JWIM · 29/07/2014 14:20

Should add that Hampshire have had 6th form colleges since the 70s (I'm a product) - so tried and tested system. I now have one DC at 6th form - chosen from 2 highly regarded college options - both graded outstanding - choice made on subjects offered and syllabus followed in a couple of 'Govian approved' (although that had no bearing on DC's decisions) core academic subjects for 'A' level. Would secondIvyBeagle's location suggestions - virtually all town/village schools at Primary and Secondary level are Good/Outstanding. Also property prices, whilst not the cheapest, wil be competitive comapared with Surrey.

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IvyBeagle · 29/07/2014 15:19

Avoid Basingstoke because although the sixth form is (I think) OK there are not as many good schools to chose from.

Winchester is worth a good look.

On the topic of separate 6th forms they can make a good stepping stone to university, and also provide options if there are friendship issues etc.

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IvyBeagle · 29/07/2014 15:21

Also, Dorset and Wiltshire have Grammar Schools, something else to consider.

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showtunesgirl · 29/07/2014 15:25

Another one here who is a product of an Outstanding Hampshire sixth form which was not part of a school.

I think you need to take a look at these OP!

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pinkdelight · 29/07/2014 15:45

Billingshurst has The Weald secondary and sixth form which are outstanding, have a great reputation and in a lovely setting. Billingshurst primary got inadequate at the last inspection but has taken swift action to turn things around and is by all accounts a happy school - and big enough to have places available which is not to be sniffed at. The town is v nice and close to Horsham when you want to go out somewhere bigger. Think it fits your criteria pretty well. I don't live there btw, but a friend does and is glad she made the move there. Good luck - hope it all works out!

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jmill · 29/07/2014 15:51

I would also suggest Billingshurst. Moved here last year and both Children are extremely happy. Daughter is at primary school and is very happy considering we moved and she left all her friends (year 4). She's made some lovely friends here, the sports centre is great, with a swimming pool, lots of outdoor space and Horsham on doorstep (I prefer Billingshurst to Horsham).

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shopalot · 29/07/2014 17:04

My eldest is at The Weald which I can't fault at all. Our younger two are outside of Billingshurst in an excellent Primary school. The primary schools to look at are Loxwood, Plaistow and kirdford or Wisborough Green. All good schools and worth a look.

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Herewegoagainitseems · 29/07/2014 17:47

Thank all you so much (particular for the pms : )))

Some great pointers. I know about Winchester but it's just as expensive as here. Also, we have given the sixth form issue a lot if thought. Might change our mind but we want to look at schools with six forms too.

So....The Weald is getting good press. Definitely going to look into this one. I would be looking for a very good primary though as we are taking a huge chance and I can't afford to get it wrong. It's too much of a gamble and probably wouldn't be our best move to uproot and go to a school which is struggling. I do agree, however, that Ofsted is not everything.

I will also research Highcliffe and reconsider Hampshire.

To be really particular, and this will sound very shallow....I am really keen to move to an area with a pedestrianised high street. Yes, I said I would seem shallow. We live in a place that is so busy with traffic and it really would be lovely to stroll along and not worry about the children versus traffic. Lots of tick boxes, I know. Is there somewhere like this that feeds into the Weald?

Thank you for helping me home in a little.

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Herewegoagainitseems · 29/07/2014 18:29

By the way, please keep them coming!!!

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handmadewithlove · 29/07/2014 18:46

Pulborough is a larger village which feeds the Weald and has an outstanding ofsted primary

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MuscatBouschet · 29/07/2014 18:54

If you want pedestrianised shopping sounds like you need somewhere larger like Horsham. Lovely town centre. Similar demographic to guildford but no rowdy nights out! Think hard about secondary: one girls, one boys and one mixed. All good but the mixed school is boy heavy for the usual reasons. Fabulous sixth form college.

Sussex only really does 11-18 schools in the rural strip. Weald, Steyning, etc...

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