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Original poster

Where to live in the uk that has excellent state schooling?

62 replies

Shark74 · 26/03/2013 06:54

We may be moving back to the uk from living abroad for the last few years. Two daughters age 8 and 6 so am more concerned about secondary schooling. We do have a house in the uk but we will simply sell and move anywhere in the south of England as we have family there. Any advice/opinions would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
lateSeptember1964 · 26/03/2013 15:26

I can't get the link to work!

ISingSoprano · 26/03/2013 15:22

befuzzledagain Surrey is like Hampshire in that they have a system of 11-16 schools and separate sixth form colleges.

dumbelina · 26/03/2013 14:41

Wokingham has across the board a good standard of both primary and secondary schools

Karoleann · 26/03/2013 14:38

Buckinghamshire, good primaries and grammar (although the alternatives if you don't get into grammar aren't great).

We live near beaconsfield

Befuzzledagain · 26/03/2013 14:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

Befuzzledagain · 26/03/2013 14:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

minesawine · 26/03/2013 12:10

London is not south, I know. But Ealing schools are really good at the moment. Wink

MarjorieAntrobus · 26/03/2013 12:01

Personally you will find good schools all over the country, I think you need to set a more localised search, then look for the best schools in that and go from there.

Yes, exactly what MrsExcited said ^^.

ISingSoprano · 26/03/2013 11:13

Another vote for Winchester. Excellent secondaries and a sixth form college/FE set up which is outstanding.

MrsExcited · 26/03/2013 10:28

Pates in Cheltenham is a state grammar and is one of the best schools in the country (independents included) it offers more than just a good academic mix it has a lot of ex curric going on, again though Cheltenham is an expensive place for a house!! Also very competitive to get in, there are other grammars in Stroud and Glos, and some very good non selectively all around the Cotswolds.

Personally you will find good schools all over the country, I think you need to set a more localised search, then look for the best schools in that and go from there.

Blu · 26/03/2013 10:25

Norfolk?

Which just goes to show, really that there is no one simple story to tell on whole areas with great state schools. Favoured schools may not be the same as 'good', children may be happy and do v well in schools considered not good....

holidaysrcoming · 26/03/2013 10:16

If you want to face Surrey house prices - grammars in kingston/ewell/cheam; several outstanding Catholic schools; or Howard of Effingham (effingham!); George Abbott (g'ford) All top 500. If we didn't have to commute to London though, I'd fly further away ...!!

Mondrian · 26/03/2013 10:13

If east is an option do check Norfolk/Norwich too.

Lilymaid · 26/03/2013 10:07

Cambridge(shire) schools of variable quality - so you have to choose right area of city/village.

eminemmerdale · 26/03/2013 09:56

Cambridge - again though, London house prices, not London wages Grin

Blu · 26/03/2013 09:54

Streatham Hill.

lainiekazan · 26/03/2013 09:29

The downside of Winchester is that you need a Big Wallet to buy a house. London prices for period family houses. There are a lot of families renting with cash in their hot hands waiting to swoop on any overpriced pile of bricks that comes up for sale.

Original poster
Shark74 · 26/03/2013 09:28

Actually half of our family lives in Nottingham so we are quite open to other suggestions.... Thank you so muc to everyone here you have mentioned places I have never even heard of so this is such a great place to start.... Thank !.... :)

OP posts:
Mondrian · 26/03/2013 09:26

Isn't the Midlands considered middle England and not technically north?

Yorkshire seems to have quite a few comp schools in the secondary schools top 1000 rankings, more so than Lancashire. Best to have a look on the tables and cross check on maps to find best regions.
rankings.ft.com/secondary-schools/secondary-schools-2012?sortcol=23031&sortdir=asc&fields=23031|23081|23101|23111|23221|23271

MarjorieAntrobus · 26/03/2013 09:21

There are good spots in the midlands, some of them only an hour (or a little more) from KX by train, but they don't fit your brief so I cannot tell you! Grin

(I might tell you though, if pressed. Wink )

I also might hint that housing costs are relatively low too.

FriedSprout · 26/03/2013 09:21

Can second Chandlers Ford, nice area, very good schools.

Probably try for Hiltingbury junior catchment and then Thornden.

Winchester is also good for schools, but very expensive housing.

Easy to access motorways, local airport, near continental ferries, railway in Eastleigh just up the road, halfway between Wnchester for great history and Southampton for good shopping and nice countryside nearby.

InMySpareTime · 26/03/2013 09:12

Savoy, Trafford

SavoyCabbage · 26/03/2013 08:13

I thought I had written this and then forgotten! Except I want to go to the North.

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