Help! Moving to Cambridge

[notmyday]

We are going to be moving to Cambridge this summer and I don't know where to start! We want to find the best primary school first (two daughters aged 4 and 8) and then a house nearby. And would even be thinking ahead of living in the best secondary school catchment area and then sorting out the primary school. Can anyone start me off with where to look??

Thank you so much!

[learnandsay]

Have a look at the education department website. I went to primary school in Cambridge many, many moons ago. I think things are a bit different these days. Have a look at the private schools on Trumpington Road too. I used to cycle past them to work a few years ago. I can't tell you anything about their qualities. But I know they're there.
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/schools

www.isc.co.uk/isc_Cambridgeshire.htm

[BlueChampagne]

Be warned that primary schools in the city centre are pretty much full to bursting. However, there are some good primary schools in necklace villages, such as Sawston, Hardwick and Elsworth.

Parkside is seen as one of the best secondaries but I hope you've got a big budget to buy in their catchment area. Sawston and Comberton worth considering too, and I've heard good things about Chesterton. However, DS1 is only in reception so won't be worrying myself for a few years yet.

Catchment areas can be found here www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/parents/admission/catchmentsearch.htm

[Lilymaid]

There are several threads on Cambridge schools on here - particularly in the local page

[notmyday]

Thanks very much everyone - I think I need to start with identifiying the secondary school as DD1 will be going into Year 5 in September so need to plan ahead for that; and then find a primary school with spaces!

[Lilymaid]

If moving to Cambridge villages, Linton VC is also good. But if you do move outside the city, you really need to be on the side most easily accessible for work as travelling across town in the rush hour is not recommended. Highest performing city school is Parkside but as mentioned below decent (and not so decent) houses in its catchment will be very expensive.

[Lancelottie]

If the distances and area aren't really an issue then the question to ask is: Best school for what, at secondary? It does make a difference!