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Original poster

Grammar Schools within 1hr15 drive of Milton Keynes

37 replies

Rococo01 · 13/08/2023 23:55

Hi !

We’d like to relocate to get ourselves into catchment for Grammar Schools. We do need to be within 1h15m drive of Milton Keynes. We have both a daughter and a son.

The house move is purely for education reasons so we want to be as sure as we can be that we’re doing the right thing. I will be going to open days come September even though we’re a few years off applying. In an ideal situation we’d like to have a good non-grammar, state secondary school back-up option.

We’re primarily looking at the Aylesbury schools but also toying with High Wycombe / Buckingham. Are there any other places we should have on our list ?

Where would you move to and why?

Any opinions on the schools in the areas mentioned ?

I guess our major worry is we end up moving somewhere for schools and then they’re not what we thought they’d be or one child doesn’t get in and there’s no back up.

Keen to hear opinions and thoughts.

Thanks,
R

OP posts:
TriceratopsRocks · 14/08/2023 07:34

Warwickshire has some decent grammar schools. The ones in Rugby (separate boys and girls schools, both with mixed sixth forms) are the closest to MK. It's under 1hr depending on traffic. Alternatives are Stratford on Avon or Alcester, but I don't think they would be close enough in rush hour.

ThePoetsWife · 14/08/2023 07:32

Rugby which is less than an hour's drive or 15 mins train journey away has three grammar schools.

Mumdiva99 · 14/08/2023 06:37

"MK has a huge gang problem in some of it’s state secondaries with turf wars etc"
🙄😂
@Wenfy where has your information come from???

There are amazing schools in Milton Keynes. I've not heard of any turf wars going down in schools. (And I have friends that teach in different schools).

I have kids at a comp here. When we were at the awards assembly there are amazing achievements by many many of the pupils. Both those just leaving and those already working.

Stop being snobby about comprehensives.

TeenDivided · 14/08/2023 06:30

Are there not any non grammar areas within that distance that have good comps? That way you get the good education without all the stress of 11+.

Goldencup · 14/08/2023 06:10

I am a Kent person so know very little of other areas. Dartford might get be 1hr15 from Milton Keynes. But it is incredibly competitive. That problem with grammar schools is either they are mega competitive ( DGS, Skinners, Judd) or they destroy the non grammar option ( the whole of East Kent basically). You don't say how old your DC are if they are stull KS1 unless an educational professional has specifically told you they are SS material I wouldn't bank on it.

abcdefghijklmnopandthatsit · 14/08/2023 06:01

As a PP has said, you do need to be happy with the non-grammar provision as well. Every year, there are "surprises" with someone who everyone expected to pass flunking the exam and not getting in on review.
Also, think about whether you want co-ed or single sex. If co-ed, the options are more limited.
Do pay attention to the last distance offered criteria. They vary wildly from school to school. This is particularly relevant if you go non co-ed as your second child won't benefit from sibling preference and so you'll be trying to get into two separate schools

PettsWoodParadise · 14/08/2023 04:58

Check out elevenplusexams for a lot of information about grammars. There is the regions page https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/schools but then also the forum where you can chat.

Be careful about moving for grammars without also checking the options for non-selective schools if the DCs don’t pass.

Opihr · 14/08/2023 00:49

Rugby?

Wenfy · 14/08/2023 00:35

Wenfy · 14/08/2023 00:27

Buckinghamshire /Aylesbury/Bedford for grammars.

But MK / Buckinghamshire / Northamptonshire has some good private provision too. And often many parents whose kids fail the 11+ do end up going private as state provision isn’t always good. That’s the problem with grammar catchments - it does tend to ruin State schools. MK has a huge gang problem in some of it’s state secondaries with turf wars etc.

Sorry put Bedford on the wrong list lol

Wenfy · 14/08/2023 00:32

Another option for you is Leicestershire. Somewhere like Oadby or Rusheymead has excellent State Provision that is better than private or grammar. No State grammars there though, just independants that have retained the names - but they are open to giving bursaries to state children.

Original poster
Rococo01 · 14/08/2023 00:31

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, it’s not our intention to move to Milton Keynes but we need to be able to get there for work.

Unfortunately private wouldn’t be an option for us in any way so that’s why we want to tread carefully.

I think Bedford has some great schools but they’re all private if my research serves me correctly.

OP posts:
Wenfy · 14/08/2023 00:27

Buckinghamshire /Aylesbury/Bedford for grammars.

But MK / Buckinghamshire / Northamptonshire has some good private provision too. And often many parents whose kids fail the 11+ do end up going private as state provision isn’t always good. That’s the problem with grammar catchments - it does tend to ruin State schools. MK has a huge gang problem in some of it’s state secondaries with turf wars etc.

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