St. Anne’s Catholic School, Southampton | Fees, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

St Anne’s is a lovey school. I’ve been here since Y7 (2017) and now currently (at the time of writing this) in Y11 (2022). Since Covid hit, the teachers have helped not only exam years but other years too to do their best still (though some don’t cooperate !_!). When I do leave, I’ll be happy that I was part of this community 🙂

It was a nice school, it wasn’t bad. I was here from year 7 2015-2021. Most of the teachers are nice, Mr Norman is probably the best there so look out for him lol

I attended this school in 1962- May 1963. I have very fond memories of the teachers who taught a full curriculum for the 2nd form. Madame Mary Oliver was the Headmistress at that time. I was lauded a lot for my writing and was often sent to Mme. Mary Oliver’s 4th form class to read before it. It was a great school with indoor and outdoor shoes, a uniform and itchy woolen underwear which we wore as gym clothing – we were little kids. I loved the balance beam, the vault gave me some problems and the ropes did as well but the balance beam I verily danced over. I had good balance then. Mrs. Spooner was my teacher, she was strict but kind and helpful. I remember forgetting to spell a word (apple) once. The look on her face was alarm. (About 7-8 years later I had MS symptoms which disabled me eventually at age 32. No balance beam for me then – I am glad I had the chance at it. Take advantage of your youth and stay positive – it will stand you – the students – in good stead the rest of your life! We had music every morning and prayer in the assembly. We had sewing with Sister Rita. and Chapel after noon dinner. My sister, in (Form 1), and I were often called ‘the Americans’ and at times I felt like a pony being paraded but I believe the intention was always kind – if it wasn’t it sailed over our youthful heads! I remember we had to have fountain pens (very expensive now) and we belonged to different houses. We had straw hats in the summer and uniforms similar to what I wore to Catholic High School in the U.S. for which we also had to take an entrance exam. The tuck was fun. Smarties and Kit Kats are still a favorite of mine to give and keep. The dinner had unfamiliar foods, especially steak and kidney pie which I really could not tolerate. (I had a naughty way of disposing the kidney aspect – for which I never was caught – thanks to, most likely, a kind maintenance person who had his/her own children. It was one of the best educational experiences of my life. The focus was education, education, education and recess in that cold, damp, English weather. My sister and I took the bus from Fair Oak and then Shirley and rode on the top deck. The first time we took it at age 7, (my sister), and 8, (me), we got off at the wrong stop and were lost. I brought my sister to a church (thankfully they were open in those days), and we found a kindly priest who called Madame Mary Oliver to collect us for our classes. My mother drove us for a time after that day and then taught us the right stop. We were independent – even stopping off at the skating rink nearby – which was my sport at the time. My brothers went to St. Michael’s in Portsmouth (1961-1963) so my mother drove them there – it was a much longer commute. My baby sister went to the nursery school up the street from our home and a few blocks from Shirley’s High Street. High Street had a fantastic sweet shop and an even more fun bookstore where my mother introduced me to Florence Nightingale and other important women and men of history. My mother read history with gusto. My father’s job was in mathematical/computer research that was…confidential. I never knew what he did and was envious of my classmates who could name their father’s and mother’s (rare in those days) professions. Overall, I give St. Anne’s Catholic School, known to me in the 1960’s as St. Anne’s Convent Grammar School, high marks and am very sad I never was able to visit Madame Mary Oliver before she died. She left me with such high esteem for myself, my intellectual ability, and for education. Any teacher who can do that is to be lauded and rewarded by parents and students – teaching is a very intensive job! For the students, disenchanted, know that school/education, your education is give and take. Students have to give and take to get a good education – it is a partnership and if students think of it in that manner – it will serve you well in life. You are preparing for the future and at St. Anne’s the focus is on a successful future – never forget that!

I attended Pst Anne’s from 1961 – 68. I had a great education which gave me a great start in life. If there are still swimming cups my name should be on some lol.

I’m leaving this school and couldn’t be happier. Teachers are awful and their communication is awful. If you have a problem (bullying etc.) then they don’t do anything about it. If you are thinking of coming here then just don’t for your wellbeing