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Original poster

Info on Marlow, Henley, Thame, Chalfonts

356 replies

Spanielmad · 19/08/2017 22:38

Hello, we are thinking of moving into South Buckinghamshire for DH's work. Been looking at the impossible school situation already and earmarked a few areas with good (but oversubscribed) secondary schools.
Before I drive over to visit the area (we are a few hours away) I need to narrow down which towns we might like, as I can't visit them all in a day or two.

We like to be near or on the outskirts of a small town with stuff for my kids (young teen boys) such as a leisure centre, sports clubs, we like hiking in the hills/woods, I'd like a nice town with boutique shops, cafes, art galleries, art clubs etc. Low crime and peaceful would be good too- goes without saying.

Can anyone tell me anything about these towns? What are they like? I already know most of them are pricey- but would like to know more about atmosphere, crime, shops etc....
I have only done online research so far.

Henley,
Shiplake,
Marlow (my fav at the moment but hard to find a house),
Chalfont St Peter,
Chesham,
Thame.

Any thoughts very welcome!! Thank you

OP posts:
Zodlebud · 21/08/2017 12:12

My comments were regarding the 11+ exam, not admissions. I do not live in Bucks (you can probably guess where I do live based on my previous post) and we can sit the 11+. Just need to register at the right time for it.

You're right though that in year or late admissions you would need proof of your address.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 12:09

woodhill, would love to know more about Chorleywood. I see the school has a good ofsted. It is probably full too so would have to keep in mind that if we end up on a waiting list, my kids would be sent to Rickmansworth or Joan of Arc. What are those like? I'd rather not have a religious school....
What's Chorleywood like? Any shops? Cafes? Upmarket or more 'average'? Sports clubs and leisure facilities? Historic and picturesque or more modern?
Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 12:06

Apparently I do have to be in the catchment. I can put B'shire schools on my youngest secondary school application, as well as our local secondary by October, and then inform the council when we actually move. Only after the move will they be tested - or so I am told by the admissions team. He'll then go into the late applications round but of course many places will by then be allocated....:(

For my eldest they said to apply once we have prove of the move, up to 6 weeks before, and then he will be tested.

It seems like we're going to have to move 'blind' - with no indication (except what the schools themselves can tell us - which is probably not much as they don't have a crystal ball either) of whether kids can get a place or whether we have to go through appeals processes and/or waiting lists.
So if we do move to Marlow, my eldest might end up on Bourne End Academy (nearest) until GMS/SBGS has a place free. That sounds like a rubbish scenario for making friends and we'd be asking for getting behind on learning with all those interruptions.
For my youngest it would mean a Marlow primary and a late application for secondary school. He might end up at Bourne End Academy too until there is a place free in Marlow.
hm.
Up to us now to decide whether we want to go down this route...

OP posts:
Zodlebud · 21/08/2017 10:55

Yes, it will be late applications which can only be made by children moving to the area. The deadline for registering as an out of area applicant for Sep 2018 Y7 admissions was back in June.

Ollycat · 21/08/2017 10:34

You don't have to be in catchment to take 11+ (people have taken Bucks 11+ from many miles away) - are they talking about late applications?

Zodlebud · 21/08/2017 10:09

I would have a look at Berkhamsted. It's a wonderful market town that ticks all your boxes. Waitrose in town, sports centre, cricket club, cinema (The Rex - check it out!), pubs, fine dining, lots of boutiques. It also has Ashridge on your doorstep. You also get more house for your money than Marlow (although not much). About 40 minute drive to Stoke Poges.

The secondary school is Ashlyn's - currently OFSTED good with strong indications of being outstanding. Many children go to Chesham Grammar from the town, in fact in the region of 70 (out of the PAN of 180) are starting in Y7 this September. School buses go from Berkhamsted to the school.

Similar situation with the Aylesbury Grammar schools. So whilst you are not in catchment, the chances of getting a place at a Grammar is extremely high.

woodhill · 21/08/2017 09:58

OP there is St Clement Danes in Herts at Chorleywood which is near the Chalfont/Bucks border. Excellent school. You could check catchment.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 09:17

ugh, admissions team emailed me back with an extensive reply which basically said we can’t do anything until after you’ve moved. Kids can’t do a grammar test until after we’ve moved (so do we move into the catchment of a grammar, I don’t know!) and yes, if schools are full, they will be allocated a place in a potentially ‘inadequate’ and far away school. great. not. I asked for a phone chat but didn’t get it...
Next stop is calling/emailing the schools. Wait till september... :(

OP posts:
ShaneBitchy · 21/08/2017 07:54

Count me in for a drinks meet up if you come to South Bucks!

Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 07:53

Oh dear on the lorry story!!

Thanks, yes am actually going to call the council today - also busy tarting up current house so paint pots everywhere!
Would be great to meet you all when we've moved

OP posts:
Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 07:50

Once more question (sorry!) what is Cookham and the 'river area' (flood plain?) of north Maidenhead like and is the Platt school good for clever kids!? (Cookham also in catchment of Bourne End Academy which doesn't seem so great)

OP posts:
OneThingAndThenTheNext · 21/08/2017 07:45

There is information on the Bucks County Council website about school places, including if any spaces at schools and how places were allocated. They're not the best st keeping it updated though, so might not be much use!

Can I join cocktails at The Botanist please?! Love that place Grin

Ollycat · 21/08/2017 07:40

The lorry was a big thing last year - will make more sense when you see the bridge irl but a massive lorry drove over it causing closure for months!!

www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/newS/14763375.UPDATE__Heavy_lorry_forces_iconic_bridge_to_close__foreseeable_future_/

Good luck with house hunting! May be worth giving Council admissions a ring this morning to see how land lies ...

Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 07:18

I won't ask about the Lithuanian lorry accident GrinHmmHmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Spanielmad · 21/08/2017 07:16

Great, thanks! Marlow keeps on winning....but it is also the place where I've seen the least number of suitable houses. So I must consider other areas.
Did someone say 'big Waitrose'? SmileCakeShock
You have all been super helpful, thank you so much.
No doubt I'll be back with more questions....

Thame and Marlow still in the running (haven't seen suitable houses there though but stuff might come up) Seen nice houses in Chalfonts and near Henley so those are maybes....

Thank you!!!

just need some school places and a dream home near Marlow now....easypeasy.... he he

OP posts:
Ollycat · 21/08/2017 00:54

The Botanist is ace!!

Marlow also has a more famous bridge after the Lithuanian articulated lorry incident Confused

Marlow also has The Hand and Flowers and Coach (Tom Kerridge).

Henley does have Townlands Hospital which has walk in x Ray up till 4pm.

Seriously OP they have quite different feels to them - I would suggest hanging out in both and seeing which fits best.

mumblechum0 · 21/08/2017 00:44

And only 10 mins to the massive Waitrose at Handy Cross.

And The Ivy

And Olly and I to drink cocktails in The Botanist with 🍸🎉🍸

Ollycat · 21/08/2017 00:35

I agree. I work in Henley but much prefer Marlow.

Henley:

Bigger but shops not as nice
Big Waitrose
Festival
Regatta
Rewind
Hideous traffic on Reading side
Cinema
1 secondary school 1 6th form college
Oxfordshire
2 rowing clubs no state school rowing (Shiplake and Bluecoats do row though)

Marlow
Marlow Town Regatta (clearly not same thing but has fun fair!)
Little Waitrose
Nicer shops and restaurants
Smaller
2 secondary schools with 6th forms
Buckinghamshire
1 rowing club plus both schools row

mumblechum0 · 21/08/2017 00:25

I personally don't like Henley (I worked there for 3 or 4 years (lawyer), and found an unusually snobby/racist attitude in a lot of people; lots of retired Colonel Blimp types and loud stockbrokers. Although Marlow is also very affluent, I find the people more pleasant, poss because it's a younger demographic.

Also Henley is hellish to drive through and park.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 20/08/2017 23:13

No-one said much about Henley...so just bumping this one up. How is Henley different from Marlow (besides the regatta) - is it bigger, smaller, busier, quieter? Type of shops?
Gillots school has a good ofsted but no sixth form, is that a problem (Henley College seems obvious follow up)
thanks!

Seems like the nicest towns are the priciest as always. Marlow area seems very pricey and not much available (in our price range/wishlist), Chalfonts St Peter cheaper, Henley/Shiplake more on offer as well....

OP posts:
Original poster
Spanielmad · 20/08/2017 17:26

LOL Logans. Imagine... No worries, my boys were named 10 and 12 years ago and have pretty normal names....Grin

Thanks LowlandsUni - sounds good.

OP posts:
Logans · 20/08/2017 17:19

Completely irrelevant but I skim read your thread title and sniggered as I thought I was reading a baby names list! Thank goodness I'm not!!

Carry on.

Smile
LowlandsUni · 20/08/2017 17:05

Lord Williams's have 7-9 on one site and 10-13 on another, totally separate (either end of town) so it doesn't feel too big. Each site has a very different feel.

Original poster
Spanielmad · 20/08/2017 16:50

really...? surely places get allocated by distance to school so we'd be rather at the deepest bottom end of the list... LOL

but yes, I will ask advice from them direct. Again you are too kind Halo for thinking along like this!

OP posts:
Ollycat · 20/08/2017 16:43

That I'm not so sure of - I guess it's a case of calling / emailing SWBGS and GMS to ask their advice