Rough Guide to Local Nurseries and Schools in Winchester

Well you’ve come here because you are considering moving to Winchester and you want to know what the local schools are like, which are the best, which will be the one where your child will be their happiest and fulfil their potential…

Well unfortunately I can’t provide that for you as there are too many variables so I am not sure anyone can. With the exception of Stanmore’s ‘Requires Improvement’, all the other schools here have been rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. Even Stanmore’s Ofsted was published in July 2018 so I would be surprised if they haven’t spent the last two years improving the issues that arose.

Every child and family is different and you will need to visit the school's yourself to find the best one for your family. You are in the best position to know which school will suit your child best.
For instance - some children will prefer a more caring environment, and some will enjoy a more academic environment.

In a previous life I use to work in schools and also with families so I have used some of my experience and knowledge gained from that to give you a few ideas of what to look for in choosing your new Winchester school (beyond Ofsted ratings!)

Travel / logistics: If the school is not local, do you want your child to spend significant amounts of time on a bus / car travelling?
Will your child connect with the other kids at the school, especially if they are older and transferring from another school?
Do the school have a good communication system, do they give working parents and carers sufficient warning of parents evening and other meetings they will be required to attend?
Do they have good pastoral care? This will be especially useful if your child is having an in year transfer and needs extra support or if they have special needs which need to be considered.
Do you like the amount of homework they supply?
What is the staff turnover / how long do staff stay?
Are there older / more experienced members of staff?
Is there an open door policy?
How do they deal with bullying?
Health and safety. It is hard to resist a shiny new nursery or classroom, but sometimes the best nurseries look a bit shabby on first sight - as long as the equipment and play areas are safe they can be considered.
Does the setting provide healthy lunch and snacks, do they ensure that children with food allergies and intolerances will be safe?
What have they been teaching over the last term, is there work displayed on the wall? Does it align with your child’s interests?
Do they provide a breakfast / afterschool club if you need one, do local childminders collect from this school.

So on to the Educational establishments in Winchester. This is a really rough guide, these are the ones that I know of from inside Winchester itself. Remember there are schools in the outlying villages and surrounding areas to consider as well if none of these suit you.

For a more complete lists, check out these links…

Child Care and Early Years in Hampshire

Independent Schools in Winchester

Nurseries

The Lido Montessori Worthy Rd / Andover Rd

The Riverside Nursery School - Abbots Barton, in the Football Club building (this is the one my daughter goes to, set in the local football club and it is absolutely fabulous, can’t recommend enough).

Triangle Pre-school - Weeke

Rainbows End Pre School - Harestock

All Saints Pre school - Highcliffe

Lanterns Nursery School - Weeke - My friends love this nursery, and it is worth noting that in non covid times they run the most awesome garden times during the holidays. in their massive garden.

Maples Nursery - Between the station and Weeke

Yellow Dot Nursery- North Walls / Winnall

Poppins Nursery - Stanmore

West Downs Day Nursery and Preschool - Romsey Rd

Henry’s Kindergarten - Based in The Henry Beaufort School in Harestock

Top’s Day Nursery - Based in the Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Rotherly, The Westgate’s Day Nursery - Based in Westgate School Campus

State Primary

St Bedes C of E School - Hyde

The Westgate Lower School - Fulfood

St Faiths C of E Primary School - St Cross

Winnall Primary School - Winnall

Weeke Primary School - Weeke

Barton Farm School - Kings Barton - It is worth noting that “Barton Farm Primary Academy opened in in September 2020. Each year we will admit a new Year R cohort of 60 pupils until the school grows to full capacity as our cohorts move through the school. “ So not suitable for older children.

Western C of E School - Fulflood

All Saints C of E School - Highcliffe

Stanmore Primary School - Stanmore

Harestock Primary School - Harestock

Oliver’s Battery School - Oliver’s Battery

St Peters Catholic School - Oliver’s Battery

State Secondary and Colleges

Kings School - Romsey Road

The Henry Beaufort School - Harestock

Peter Symonds 6th Form College - Weeke

The Westgate Upper School - Fulflood

Special Schools