Decision over where to move to regarding school catchments- help!

[MrsJamin]

DS1 has just started reception, DS2 will follow in 2 years and we are very happy with keeping their school all the way through. We'd like to move out of our small 2-bed now. Decision is to:
A) Move to within walking distance of primary. BUT catchment is for dreadful secondary school- so we'd have to move again in 6 years- probably.
B) Move further away to catchment of better secondary school (not amazing but not dreadful), but drive for school run every day for next 9 years. Parking also not easy at school and is set to get worse as school extending. In this area we would probably get a little more property for the same money.
So A or B? Live for the now or relax into a property we could be in for 15 years+?

[pinkdelight]

I'd go with A, as it's not really living for the now, nine years is a long time to be driving rather than walking everyday. Also, it's not beyond the realms that the secondary might be less dreadful in six years time. Lots of places turn around. And if not, don't they say five years is long enough to make a move worthwhile financially at least? I'd stay close to the primary while they're at primary. Lots could change.

[MrsJamin]

I like your reasoning. It's true that anything can happen in 6 years.

[Tommy]

I'd go for A too. A secondary school can change very easily in 6 years and I think being able to walk to primary school is a real asset

[CuddyMum]

I third that! I spent a year driving to school and It was a royal pain in the backside. I felt like a weight had been lifted when we moved within walking distance of school.

[MrsJamin]

Thank you everyone. I was set on A until I spoke to someone recently who thought I was mad for moving now without considering secondary school. There's a lovely community around the primary school and it would be nice to closer to it, not further away.

[Fizzylemonade]

I did option B but then my children were older.

We downsized with a relocation to get into an outstanding primary. I walked the 1/2 mile to school every day, no matter what the weather. Stayed in the teeny house until we got ds2 in. I should point out that this school doesn't have a catchment per se. It will take anyone providing there are spaces, if it is oversubscribed then the priority system starts.

We moved to our forever house which just happens to have an outstanding secondary school as its nearest school. It wasn't planned that way, we were either going to be in a house that got us into the same secondary that we would have if we had stayed where we were. The estate is split in half with what would constitute the nearest school.

Yes, I have to drive every day, the primary is massive, 90 children per year so parking is horrific. However, I am not one of those parents who a) leaves it to the last minute to drive to school, b) feels that I need to park within leaping distance of the school gate. We park a short distance away and walk.

A lot can happen in a few years, the outstanding secondary school only became one when they got a new headteacher before that it wasn't anything special.

We moved away from the primary because the house prices were inflated to reflect the demand for the primary. We now live near a not so great primary so the house prices are much cheaper affording us a much bigger house.

[scrappydappydoo]

Is there an option of C - moving to an area with a good primary and secondary within walking distance?

[tricot39]

In that case option d is to live near the primary now. Wait to see what happens with the economy and upsize near the good secondary in a few years when you may get more for your money...

[MrsJamin]

I wouldn't give up this primary, I am very happy with it, and especially in our town where there are a real shortage of Primary places, it's difficult to find any spare places anyway. I think the other thing to consider is that we can't afford our 'dream' home now - just our next step house. I would hope we could afford more within the next 6 years when I am able to earn a decent amount, once both boys are in school. Therefore it would be stupid of me to consider our next move good for 15 years+ of living in it. Thanks all. "A" it is!

[narmada]

Not much helpful to add but just to say do double check the oversubscription criteria for your current primary school and what is likely to happen if you move further away - some around us have started giving lower priority to siblings outside catchment than non-siblings in catchment, IYSWIM. You want to be sure your second DC gets in otherwise that would be a right pain.

[MrsJamin]

Thanks Narmada, currently the admission criteria is siblings regardless of catchment right at the top, just after looked after and statemented children, so we don't have to stay in catchment, thankfully! Very important difference between schools round here tho, as you say some do not prioritise out of catchment siblings at all- crazy.