Page 1 of 1

Anyone there?

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:54 pm
by Booklady
Hi there - we currently live in Bucks - but may be moving to Wiltshire for work ( which would be in Trowbridge). Eldest daughter is in Y5 - being tutored for Bucks 11+ and should pass (we hope). Question is - I know there is a grammar school in Wiltshire - down in Salisbury - but what is the inside track on where you need to live to attend this one. Also - what do people think of it compared to say the comprehensives in Chippenham - Sheldon & Hardenhuish - which also seem excellent. I am missing the insider knowledge you gain by living in an area for sometime - and I would really appreciate your input! Thanks! :D

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:17 am
by mattsurf
You are playing the same lottery I played exactly 1 year ago!

I moved from Birmingham due to work - my job is in Southampton, 27 miles from Salisbury. We had the choice of going for the GS in Salisbury, or going safe and moving to Chandlers Ford, where the local Comp is one of the best in the country. Since we are now waiting for the 11+ results next week you can see the choice we made. Here are our reasons:

I am a former GS pupil, I believe in the system and I believe that it is the best state education

Bishop's and South Wilts GS are both excellent - by many measures within the top 25 GS in the country

I feel that my son needs some pressure to perform, at a comp he will coast, he has enough ability to keep well below the radar without exerting himself at all

Salisbury is a great city to live in

If we didn't go for it, when we knew that DS was more than capable I would have really regretted not giving him the opportunity

BIG downside - Salisbury Comps are not very good (st Edmonds Girls comp is just about OK)

The Salisbury GS are not super selective - they have a pass mark of approx 75%, which is comparible with Bucks. However there is a catchment area, which is no more than 8 or 9 miles from the city (it is on the GS web site). Approx 1/3 of students are from out of catchment.

If you feel that your child will thrive at either GS or a good Comp, then I would go with the most convenient / safest route, however, if you feel that they would have significantly more advantage at GS and they have a really good chance of passing the 11+, then move to Salisbury and go for it

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:00 pm
by Booklady
Thanks - really helpful info - still not sure what we'll do though .... guess I'll wait and see if I get the job - then start looking at schools!! Thanks again!

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:26 am
by Lapis
Booklady,

I live in Wiltshire but north of the M4, twenty or so miles from Trowbridge. Depending on the commute you want to work/school you could look at basing yourself around Malmesbury. A good comprehensive secondary school in the town or the alternative of an organised bus to the two grammar schools in Stroud (which accept out of county applications).

Have a look at the Gloucestershire forum, I have been a long time lurker and occassional poster there (my eldest is in sixth form) but my old log in details have escaped me at this moment!

Lapis (formerly known as ?)

Thanks

Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:03 pm
by Booklady
Thanks So much Lapis - this is really useful information which I will investigate! It's an option which I hadn't even thought of! I have put a question on the Gloucestershire forum.

Thanks again


Lapis wrote:Booklady,

I live in Wiltshire but north of the M4, twenty or so miles from Trowbridge. Depending on the commute you want to work/school you could look at basing yourself around Malmesbury. A good comprehensive secondary school in the town or the alternative of an organised bus to the two grammar schools in Stroud (which accept out of county applications).

Have a look at the Gloucestershire forum, I have been a long time lurker and occassional poster there (my eldest is in sixth form) but my old log in details have escaped me at this moment!

Lapis (formerly known as ?)