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Original poster

Moving to Buckinghamshire for Grammar Schools

30 replies

bprad · 28/07/2020 13:45

Hi All - this is the first time I am posting on a public forum - really need some guidance before we take the big decision to move house.

My daughter is appearing for 11+ in a year's time and we are keen to move to Buckinghamshire to increase her chances of getting into a Grammar school (there are no grammar schools where i currently live). Needed your guidance on the best areas to consider within Buckinghamshire for our move.

Our key criteria are:

  1. Within the catchment area of a good Grammar School
  2. Within the catchment area of an Outstanding / Good NON-Grammar School (just in case my daughter doesn't do well in her 11+)
  3. My partner works in Newbury (and will need to continue to do so) and can't drive - so close to a railway station with easy accessibility to Newbury (so basically south buckinghamshire?)

Thanks a lot for your help on this!

Kind regards,
bprad

OP posts:
mumtobabygilrl · 28/07/2020 16:10

Dr challoners for girls is good. So is beconsfield girls grammar

The non grammar option wold be chalfonts community college. Which I haven't had links to for about 10 years but was a good school back then

Mustbetimeforachange · 28/07/2020 16:06

You may get more answers if you post on the the eleven plus form (elevenplusexams.co.uk) - there are sections for all the different counties. I don't know but I suspect there aren't many outstanding schools in South Bucks that aren't grammar schools (maybe the one in (?near) Marlow, but you have to live very close I think?). We live just over the border and there is a lot of cross border traffic. There are also rules about moving and giving up your previous home which I imagine will be on the Buckinghamshire council website.
If you live somewhere with oustanding schools already, I would stay where you are, tbh.

clary · 28/07/2020 16:02

By the way I imagine you'd have to go into London and out again to get from Bucks to Newbury - bit of a pain. No doubt someone will correct me on that tho.

Original poster
bprad · 28/07/2020 15:56

@clary

Op I don't know the area so can't help specifically, but you might want to include an idea of house budget so people can make appropriate suggestions.

Also it's worth bearing in mind that in a, grammar area, the non grammar schools are often at a disadvantage because all the most able students have been creamed off. So if you child might not get in, a good actual comprehensive might be better.

I speak from experience as I went to a grammar and my parents taught in the secondary moderns (as I imagine they are not called any more).

If course if your child is a shoe in then crack on and good luck to you.

Thanks Clary that's very useful. I am looking at renting for now so am quite flexible on that front.
OP posts:
clary · 28/07/2020 15:19

Op I don't know the area so can't help specifically, but you might want to include an idea of house budget so people can make appropriate suggestions.

Also it's worth bearing in mind that in a, grammar area, the non grammar schools are often at a disadvantage because all the most able students have been creamed off. So if you child might not get in, a good actual comprehensive might be better.

I speak from experience as I went to a grammar and my parents taught in the secondary moderns (as I imagine they are not called any more).

If course if your child is a shoe in then crack on and good luck to you.