Thinking of relocating to outside Chichester - advice on villages & schools/colleges please.

[cruusshed]

Will have one dd going into 6th form - the other would join year 8. DH will be commuting to Leatherhead. Pref would like to be walking distance of coast. Birdham / Bosham / Itchenor / West Wittering look attractive. Would these areas be in catchment for a decent secondary state school and/or college? Would also consider private schools - so any recommendations welcome.

Any thoughts? On what it is like to live in these villages?

[cruusshed]

bump

[Chapsie]

Just keep in mind the summer traffic south of Chichester. The road down from the A27 to west wittering can be pretty much a standstill. Not easy for residents trying to get on with normal life. That would put me off the villages south of Chichester and I would want to look North of Chichester. No idea on the schools sorry.

[cruusshed]

That's a good point that I had not considered....

[morningtoncrescent62]

I'm not sure if this is helpful as it's historical, but when my DDs were younger we lived in Lavant, just north of Chichester. East Lavant is very picturesque (you could call it twee) and expensive, while Mid Lavant where we lived is much bigger with lots of estate-type housing. I enjoyed living there, particularly with younger children, and the primary school was fantastic. Had we stayed they would have gone to Bishop Luffa CE School - we had lots of friends with children there, and they all spoke highly of it. If your DDs are cyclists, loads of kids from Lavant used to cycle to school along the old railway track (now a public path) from Midhurst to Chichester which passes through Lavant and ends right opposite the school. West Lavant independent school for girls is also nearby, but I've no idea what it's like as I had very little contact with it.

[cruusshed]

Thanks mornington thats very interesting, sounds like a lovely experience. - I have been doing some schools research and Bishop Luffa's results are stunning -- but the entry criteria is v church based and we would not qualify .....

[lilypoppet]

Hi I'm moving to Lavant. Did you move there?

[Poppledopple]

Hi Lilypoppet - the plan is for Sept 2017....when do you move?

[lilypoppet]

I'm here now. The children are joining me on August 9. I'm just settling in and starting in my new branch. I'm in Lavant. People are really friendly

[cheapandcheerful]

I used to teach in Selsey and wouldn't recommend it.

[morningtoncrescent62]

Ah, now I'm feeling nostalgic for Lavant. I enjoyed my time there. I'm now in Scotland and though I love the place I've moved to, I sometimes feel nostalgic for the south coast - and its weather. Good luck lilypoppet and Poppledopple, I hope your moves go well and you're very happy in your new homes.

[musicposy]

We live in Lavant and my DDs went to the primary school there. It's beautiful but you do really pay for location.

Bishop Luffa is a good secondary, but you need to do church. Also, be aware that although their results look stunning, they have very "thinking" parents, the type who don't mind doing church every Sunday for 2 years to get their child in. These same parents pay for a lot of extra tuition. I tutor maths and most of my pupils come from Luffa. DD2 just did a year 6th form there and she reckoned about 3/4 of the class were quietly paying for outside tutors. I'd still recommend it, however, it's a lovely school - but take the results with a small pinch of salt. At 6th form level I'd go for Chichester College of Technology over and above the schools. Midhurst Rother College is very up and coming - my goddaughter goes there and quite a few other Lavant children and I've heard very good things about it.

Traffic south of the bypass (A27) can be horrendous. My sister used to live in Pagham by the sea which is lovely, however, she had to leave pretty early to work so as not to get caught in the traffic. For this reason we like north of Chichester despite being further to the sea.

We used to live near Arundel/ Littlehampton, cheaper, and a bit less stuffy, but schools not so good. I do miss it a bit as we used to go to the beach much more.

Of the villages you've listed I'd go for Bosham over the others due to ease of getting to and from it. Have you looked at Westbourne if you're looking in that direction?

lilypoppet you should pm me!

[Poppledopple]

Thanks music....thats v helpful - thinking that NW of Chichester might now be better as the commute back to Leatherhead is long enough getting on the A3 further up (Petersfield?) rather than an extra 30 mins going down to the coastal villages (hadnt even considered traffic). So maybe a hamlet/village in "The High Woods".....thanks also on the 6th form recommendations v helpful.

[lilypoppet]

Music posy I wll pm you!