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Ferndown?

27 replies

CreekyOldKnee · 15/06/2017 13:40

We're thinking of moving from Surrey to Dorset with DH's job. Ferndown seems to be the nearest town so I was just after an insight.

Does anyone here live in Ferdown and are they happy there? Are the schools good and what about shops?

My DD also does martial arts to quite a high level so if anyone has any recommendations for that, that would be great.

If you're in the area, any suggestions of which areas are the nicest?

Thanks very much

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TableTableReview · 15/06/2017 15:55

Ferndown seems very sleepy to me but lovely. Might be a shock after Surrey! There's a little community run theatre that my daughter used to to dance shows in.

I don't really know about schools.

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CreekyOldKnee · 15/06/2017 18:15

Thanks very much tabletable

Interesting that it's sleepy - might be nice to go from so much traffic to sleepy!

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CreekyOldKnee · 15/06/2017 18:16

Anyone else have any info/suggestions?

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DorsetWarbler · 15/06/2017 19:00

I don't live there but spend a fair bit of time over there. For first schools look at Parley or Hampreston. I'm not sure how I feel about the Middle school but the Upper school has a new head who is very good and as a school it is a fair bit smaller than some of the others and good on pastoral care. Some children got to the Bournemouth Grammars.

The shops are ok, hard to say much about them really. It's not what you would call particularly pretty but it's functional. GP surgeries are fine. The M and S foodhall a welcome addition. I think there are some martial arts classes from memory. Houses depend on your budget, it's leafy around Dudsbury Avenue. If you are near the number 13 bus route teens can take themselves off to Bournemouth.

It had a reputation for being a bit rough due to an estate there but the previous upper school Head made a big difference in turning it around . I find as a rule people are very nice and down to earth.

If you look at the other side of the roundabout towards Wimborne you'll find a fair few ex Londoners. There probably are some in Ferndown I just know less people there.

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CreekyOldKnee · 15/06/2017 19:06

Thank you so much Dorset, really helpful post.

We'll probably be looking at properties up to £450k and would ideally like a 4 bed (but a 3 bed would be fine).

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DorsetWarbler · 16/06/2017 06:45

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65818049.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58455811.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64256693.html

Those are several in Ferndown. The first is closest to the shops and schools on what is called the Darw estate which is quite popular Afro those reasons. 2nd is on a main road but set back and a very large garden and next to the garden centre plus Hobbycraft. The 3rd is on the Camellias estate which is more modern than the Dare estate but further from shops.


And the 4th is your wildcard one
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64492013.html

Other side of the roundabout so different schools, would be Hayeswood, St Michaels and QE which is a pretty decent path as it stands. Needs a bit of work but is a fair bit under budget which allows for it. Could add a bit of value to that one.

There are also a lot of bungalows and chalet bungalows (number 2 a chalet bungalow).

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CreekyOldKnee · 16/06/2017 12:56

Wow Dorset, thanks so much. That's amazing.

Love the chalet style one but not sure it would work as we have 2 DDs, the oldest is 8 so I suppose they would both have to go upstairs. She'd love the balcony but not sure it is the most responsible move (plus I would be v jealous!).

Also love the idea of the wildcard!

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TableTableReview · 16/06/2017 13:50

The road next to hobbycraft over the bridge gets horribly congested at rush hour.
Also the a31 where it filters from double to single carriageway.

I'd probably avoid living where avoiding those roads wasn't an option but that's from driving through rather than living there!

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CreekyOldKnee · 16/06/2017 14:30

Thanks table, good tip.

Just out of interest, if both of you had to live round that way, where would be your first choice (not talking just about Ferndown, just that area in general).

Thanks again, you've both been really helpful.

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TableTableReview · 16/06/2017 14:48

I don't quite know the area well enough to say. There's some lovely houses though. I quite like wimborne but thats nearer me.

Wherever you end up though it's a wonderful area. I am often taken aback by how within half an hour or so I can an at the beach or new forest or nice village or moors valley or Avon heath country park or Upton country or short drive to purbecks and wonderful walks up there. And national trust places and the beautiful harbour (sadly poole town has gone downhill but the quay/harvour/baiter are lovley). Bournemouth has a lot on in terms of festivals. Bic/pavillion/pavilion dance and lighthouse have lots on. Not londonnstandards but enough to find some lovely things to watch.

We lived in London a few years and moved out and have met tons of people down here from London (including our neighbours!) And I'm constantly amazed how lucky we are :)

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DorsetWarbler · 16/06/2017 16:17

Actually that is true about the I even by Hobbycraft. I'm not there usually at rush hour but thinking back to when I have been it is grim, I'm withdrawing number 2. Typos in my post, should have been the Dare Estate.

I went to the Ferndown shops today and thought of this thread. I tried to be look at Ferndown from a detached point of view and decided that on balance I prefer it over towards Wimborne and Colehill. I have slight rural hankerings so like Holt, Gaunt s Commom (St James first is excellent) it the fields of rapeseed would make me sneeze.

Bits of Corfe Mullen are nice though as it stands I wouldn't want my DC at Corfe Hills, but it may well have changed by the time yours are old enough as have seen lots of changes in the schools over the years, they take it in turns to go up and down.

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DorsetWarbler · 16/06/2017 16:35

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65912780.html catchment forvHayeswood and possibly Colehill first. Cannon Hill plantation is close which has access to Castleman trail, good for cycling.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66600674.html Rural and needs some work but potentially room in budget.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65586758.html Handy location near first school and library. Needs work again but room in budget. Potential to add a fair bit of value due to plot and location.

The other thing haven't mentioned is there is a Catholic School if that is relevant at all.

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TableTableReview · 16/06/2017 17:39

Dorset out if interest what secondary schools do you rate. I don't know the wimborne catchment ones well but some go from here. I absolutely do not like my local one :( . We're hoping for grammar but you never know....!

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DorsetWarbler · 16/06/2017 18:25

I think it depends on the child a lot and at the moment nothing is perfect as everywhere affected by the cuts. I have a soft spot for Lytchett Minster as it's about the only place I haven't heard a bad word about. You have to be in catchment though.

One of mine has been through Ferndown and it worked pretty well for her but at the time they were struggling for 18 months after a bad Ofsted and by the time she sat GCSE's it had taken its toll on the teachers.

Second DC going through QE. That has improved a lot with current head and it means less children are going to the Poole Grammars. There is an issue with the Maths and English this year with Year 9's now having a top set for both then the rest are mixed ability which isn't working for a fair few middle ability children, local tutors very busy. It's unclear if this will be happening next year.

Lots of parents complaining about Corfe Hills. Twynham is good but doesn't suit everyone from what I've heard.

Poole Grammar has had its problems and friend had to get science tutor for son for GCSE. Not heard anything bad re Parkstone. Bournemouth School for Girls have heard some who thrived, others who hated it and keep hearing things about bullying. Bournemouth School is good as far as I know but possibly not to everyone's taste as quite traditional and maybe a bit regimented. Ferndown Upper loses out to the Grammars as due to location children there go to both Bournemouth and Poole ones. QE only tends to lose to Poole as a rule with a few exceptions.

Friend has chemistry tutor who has children from QE, Grammars and Canford. Dorset schools have always had one of the lowest amounts of funding in the county though Annette Brookes did secure more. QE head said Michael Tomlinson is being very good and fighting hard re funding but the reality is things aes tight for all the local schools. There are some very dedicated teachers though and we are lucky in that respect.

Apologies for length of it. By the time you get to Year 13 as DD is now you get to hear a lot!

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TableTableReview · 16/06/2017 18:33

Oooh thankyou. I used to teach at Parkstons Grammar but it was pre children!! I'm so out of touch now. Lytchett does look ace but we're not in catchment (did almost consider returning to teaching as they have a bizarre clause about teachers children!)

QE sounds good. I think a few schools are doing a higher stream aren't they? Poole high were I heard.

I wondered about at st Edwards too but we're not religious!!

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DorsetWarbler · 16/06/2017 19:21

I saw that about teachers children at Lytchett when I got DS's rejection letter showing all the different groups, distances etc! I would have loved for mine to go but it would have meant a move.

I heard that about Poole High, I think it is working quite well from the little bit I heard. The difference with QE is it's just for Maths and English and those who were in the middle ability classes for those subjects now in mixed ability classes and now not doing so well in those subjects whereas it was ok when they mixed the classes up. DS's current English teacher said she's not sure whether the mixed ability classes are happening again next year. I know the Head of another relatively local school sending their child there as well as some other local teachers which I find comforting !

I don't know much about St Edwards these days . I have it in my head that you don't have to go to church to get in but I might have made that up. A friend worked there and I know wishes said they were very good for SEN but then got a lot of children who needed a bit extra support and struggled to cope but that was years ago so very out of date.

Also a lot of the Wimborne Schools are expecting Ofsted pretty soon so the rumour goes.Someone said they had recently been into Colehill First though can't see that on their website . Hayeswood, St Michaels and QE haven't had them in for ages.

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CreekyOldKnee · 16/06/2017 22:05

Thank you both so much for taking so much time to reply. I really appreciate it.

Lots to think about but I must admit, I'm really thinking that this could be such a good move for our family. It's scary picking up everything and moving area (although it's not really that far in the grand scheme of things) but it's also quite exciting!

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CreekyOldKnee · 16/06/2017 22:09

Just seen this property:
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/43860169

Looks lovely but near Bear Cross. Properties seem cheaper there which might not be the best sign. Any thoughts on this area?

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awishes · 16/06/2017 22:38

I don't think you would like Bear Cross, there's nothing there really. Few facilities but sprawling housing estate.

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CreekyOldKnee · 16/06/2017 23:09

Thanks awishes

It really is brilliant to get views from people who know the area.

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DorsetWarbler · 17/06/2017 07:08

What awishes said and I think schools would be a bit tricky there. We moved down for DH's job and it has been a very positive move for us though overall though I think DD might have been happier in a city. Great for DS and I have made some lovely friends over the years.

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DorsetWarbler · 17/06/2017 07:38

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66235658.html Reduced yesterday now in price bracket

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66235658.html Under budget. I'd be looking at taking out downstairs toilet and putting a front door on side moving the gates back, some houses round there have side entrance. Open up kitchen (needs new one) into living room. Current entrance bit to become a utility area. Rejig downstairs bathroom to fit in toilet. You could all sleep downstairs whilst younger but could do you upstairs in big room, them downstairs in 2 rooms then remaining downstairs bedroom as a study and other upstairs bedroom as another living room. Then for teenage years them upstairs and you use 2 of the bedrooms as bedroom and dressing room. It seems strange but lots of us locally are on different floors to the DC and by the time you get to teens that is a definite bonus!

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CreekyOldKnee · 17/06/2017 17:19

Hi Dorset

Your fist and second links are to the same property. Any chance you could repost the second one please?

Thanks

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DorsetWarbler · 17/06/2017 18:06
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CreekyOldKnee · 18/06/2017 17:04

Thank you Dorset, love that one!

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