Moving to Swindon, need to which are the GOOD schools and which ones to AVOID ..

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

Pretty Please!!!

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

bump

[wannaBe]

where abouts in Swindon are you moving to?

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

We can move anywhere in a 10 mile radius of Dorcan. Although the closer we are to Dorcan the better as thats where dh work is being relocated to.

We have only just started looking at houses but are keen to move to an area with a good primary schol.

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

BUMP

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

BUMP

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

bump

[misshardbroom]

oohhh... how to answer without revealing my secret identity...!

I know really really good things about St Catherine's which is in Stratton so the right side of Swindon for Dorcan. It's RC though, so I don't know whether that would suit.

St Francis in Taw Hill has a good rep, as do several of the North Swindon primaries, e.g. Catherine Wayte, Bridlewood, Red Oaks etc. but it can be a bit of a lottery which one of those you get as there's so many families moving into that area.

Think long and hard before moving into the catchment for any schools that feed into Swindon Academy as it's got a very dubious reputation and there's a strong chance that other primary schools might get swallowed up into the Academy themselves.

There'll be them as tell you that you shouldn't go anywhere other than Super Duper Lethbridge School with all the Boden yummy mummies and their children Tristan and Tabitha. Don't listen to them (unless you're a Boden ym yourself and your children do happen to be called Tristan and Tabitha).

But it's like anywhere really - a good head will make or break a school and different children (even siblings) respond well to different types of teachers.

Great place to live though. Welcome.

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

Thank you miss hard broom for taking the time to reply. Hope your identy remains a secret

DD is only just turning 1 it sounds silly to be thinking about schools but everyone has said I should considering it.

I am not RC so that would be a problem as far as St. Catherines is concerned.

I am also not a YM!

Dh is looking at the covingham/nythe area hes just told me. Do you know anything about the area or the schools?

[misshardbroom]

I've never lived in Covingham or Nythe but my dd used to go to ballet in Covingham and it always struck me as quite a nice safe family sort of area, lots of green space, people walk their children to school etc. The houses vary in size but are mainly 60s / 70s type, some really big ones but they tend to back onto the A419 (you win some / lose some). A lot more affordable than many other areas, but so far as I can see, it's because it's not super-trendy or handy for bars & restaurants rather than because it's a crime-ridden no-go area. I'd be prepared to buy a house there if we ever got ourselves out of the scary negative equity trap we're in now!!

Don't know much about schools there but I know one woman who has two little ones at Covingham Park School and they're happy with it.

[Frankensteinshughjarsssss]

Thats good to hear. I've tried to find out about Covingham school but I cant find much as I think its pretty new.

Thats good to hear about the area as I think dh has got his heart set on it as he wants to reduce our mortgage.

[misshardbroom]

where are you moving from?

[namechangedDontwant2Bflamed]

Only from Reading, not far

[Elkat]

Can you cat me? I'm from Swindon, and I am a teacher... have a fairly good idea about schools and catchments etc... But probably would go on a bit too much.

My DD's school is nearby. It is ofsted 'outstanding', and so far I have been very happy with it. Can give you details of schools, but don't want to give too much info on here iyswim!
HTH

[hughjarsssss]

Message withdrawn

[mehgalegs]

You realise you have outed yourself namechange don't you?

[SorenLorensen]

Oopsadaisy.

[Elkat]

Emailing you now!

[hughjarsssss]

Message withdrawn

[Flum]

I went to school in Swindon, but long time ago now.....

Only know about seniors really and your seems much too young for that. I went to Lawns it was nice.

Regarding nice places to live most people reckon Old Town and Lawns is one of nicest areas I would say.

[mehgalegs]

er..you I think hugh.

[hughjarsssss]

Message withdrawn

[mehgalegs]

By namechangedDontwant2Bflamed on Wed 08-Oct-08 19:14:20
Only from Reading, not far

Sorry if I am barking up the wrong tree but who posted this, further up/down this thread in response to misshardbroom?

[Marina]

hahahaha priceless! Nice work mehgalegs!

[hughjarsssss]

Message withdrawn

[mehgalegs]