moving to southbourne in two weeks!

[SS181016]

Hi
I am having a slight emotional wobble tonight (like us mums do) as the reality of relocating to Southbourne has become super real. I am excited although mainly worried about my children, son age 9 and daughter 6 who will be attending the Elm Academy, the nearest school to us with places, which is a half an hour away drive. Does anyone else in Southbourne go to this school as I am worrying they will have no local friends? Any comments on the school at all?
Any reassurance would be welcome

[AJ07]

Wow, Elm is a very long way away from Southbourne, especially in school run traffic. Make sure that once you've moved you get on all the waiting lists for closer schools. Even if you're on them now, you need to speak to the admissions team at Bournemouth council one you're moved so that they have your correct address and the schools can properly rank you on their waiting lists. Southbourne is a hugely oversubscribed area for schools but it's a bloody lovely place to live. We hope to retire there! I am an admissions officer for a school in Bournemouth so know a fair bit about the situation you're facing. Good luck!

[AJ07]

The school I'm at is closer than Elm, but still a fair way away (maybe you're already applied and I know who you are?!) but you've not said what years your children are in. I won't comment on particular schools on here as that's not fair, but if you want to PM me, I'll happily help.

[sturmak78]

Oh I understand the 'wobble!!' We moved from London in the summer and got Kingsleigh. Didn't fancy the area or the drive so ended up in Hampshire. Gorgeous village school, tiny class...but still a 25min drive!! A term on and we're still no further forward on the waiting list for local school. You should get a place soon-ish as the junior child will be easier to place due to class size and then you'll progress up the Infant list..it's such a hard time isn't it? Difficult to know what to do for the best. In hindsight I should have given Southbourne a wide berth! I love it but the school situation is a nightmare!! I hope it gets sorted soon!!!