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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Considering move to Aylesbury villages

26 replies

Middlesex80 · 20/08/2019 08:32

Hi all
1st post here.
I am thinking about moving to one of the villages in catchment of Waddesdon c of e school. I have viewed this school and was very impressed by 6th formers showing us around, values of the school and the reviews from locals/parents. On a forum recently I was disappointed to hear the school has changed and there are plenty of bullies there?! There has not been a recent Ofsted inspection too. Looking for advice regarding the school/catchment areas and primary school advice. Thank you

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 20/08/2019 12:27

I've just had a look at their stats and academically pupils make excellent progress. I don't know the school personally but bullying happens everywhere. It's about choosing a school with a robust system for dealing with it.

Original poster
Middlesex80 · 20/08/2019 16:57

Thanks JoJo yes you are right bullying does happen everywhere it's the way schools deal with it and from what I have seen and heard the school seem to have good values so I'm sure they have a good system in place to resolve such issues.

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 20/08/2019 17:18

Sounds like the school could be a good choice then.

Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 07:43

Thank you.
Do you know much about Aylesbury? I've read it has gone downhill in last 10 years or so..

OP posts:
Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 07:46

Hi all
Could anyone tell me about Aylesbury. Is it safe? Too much crime? Lots of stabbings in London recently - is Aylesbury any safer? I am considering a move to the villages but still would need to come Aylesbury for shopping, train, etc.
Thanks

OP posts:
Di11y · 24/08/2019 08:03

I live near Aylesbury and work there. I think it's perfectly safe during the day and in the evening safe in most parts. certainly nothing like London! there's been a lot of work improving it - garden town status in 2017 means injection of cash for improvements and just finished 'The Exchange' with new restaurants etc.

justaweeone · 24/08/2019 08:09

I lived in Aylesbury 14 years ago and had both Dc at Stoke Mandeville
I enjoyed my time in Aylesbury but decided to relocate back to a Norfolk village to bring up the Dc in a village setting
Have a look at Thame which is a market town also in-laws used to live in Long Crendon not sure if it has a school

Pileofironing · 24/08/2019 08:23

Waddesdon is a brilliant school, Aylesbury on the other hand is a bit less so. It's gone uphill in the last 10 years though not downhill, it has a lovely theatre now, canal side area and a big Waitrose. You could live in far worse places. It's a million miles away from London stabbings!

Nice villages surrounding it, lots of big infrastructure heading this way though with HS2 and the East West Expressway.

hula008 · 24/08/2019 08:24

I live in Aylesbury. It's a bit boring aside from the theatre but no rougher than large towns of the same size nearby like High Wycombe or Hemel Hempstead.

HelenaJustina · 24/08/2019 08:30

If you want to be in catchment for Waddesdon, check the boundaries very carefully. The catchment is shrinking as Waddesdon village gets bigger. It is still achievable to live in a village which feeds Waddesdon but expect to pay a premium.

Aylesbury itself is fine, if anything I’d say it has improved in the last ten years.

Pileofironing · 24/08/2019 08:38

Yes lots of new housing planned, you will need to live in Waddesdon to guarantee getting into school.

JoJoSM2 · 24/08/2019 08:38

I've just looked up police stats. Aylesbury hasn't got much crime. Lower than any London borough or a lot of the commuter belt, e.g. St Albans.

Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 09:25

Thanks all for putting mind to rest.

I have been to the villages around Waddesdon. Struggling to find a property around Waddesdon c of e, the rentals are all tiny. I think Quainton would be an ideal location. Fingers crossed can find something before end of Oct 😬

OP posts:
Woodlandwitch · 24/08/2019 09:28

Aylesbury is pretty safe. Waddesdon is nice.
Lots of villages nearby - long Crendon, Quinton, Westcott

Thame school is good

Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 10:06

I'd love to live in Thame.. But no outstanding schools

OP posts:
Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 10:07

I'm also little worried about primary schools around Waddesdon... Waddesdon primary was outstanding but gone doen to good.. An worried about getting little one in as was full when I viewed last year.

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missbattenburg · 24/08/2019 10:12

A large part of my family come from Aylesbury and personally I hate the town. It's a depressing concrete jungle to me.

Some of the surrounding villages, though, are stunning and Bucks has some absolutely beautiful countryside.

Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 10:20

😂
How come you hate it? I have drove through it and go to view houses in villages.

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 24/08/2019 11:46

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/compare-schools?for=primary

That’s where you get stats for schools.
All the schools in Thame are above the national average so you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Woodlandwitch · 24/08/2019 11:50

Thames certainly got a lot more going for it than waddesdon or Aylesbury at the moment

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 24/08/2019 12:05

If you’re basing your future living arrangements on one school, I think it’s a mistake. Schools can and do change- up and down. What is great now, may not be in five years, or two, or whatever. And vice versa. Ofsted reports are only one small part of the decision making process in my opinion. Leaving aside whether you will be able to get into the school of your choice.

phoenixrosehere · 24/08/2019 12:26

Lived in Aylesbury and had my two at Stoke Mandeville (not great the first time, improved the second time). Moved up around Bicester due to bigger, more affordable new homes and the Aylesbury town centre seemed to be going downhill in my husband’s opinion. I also visit Thame periodically. Aylesbury is ok, it feels like we lived there ages ago even though it was only two years ago. It had a nice town market, good movie theatre, usual restaurants (Nando’s, Wagamama, GBK, etc..), reasonable weekend tickets to London and Tube, and lots of supermarkets (Morrison’s, Waitrose, M&S, Aldi’s, Lidl near the town centre. Other than that, found it quite boring.

Thame is lovely and there seems to be a lot of different group things going on and nice little boutiques, shops, cafes, restaurants mixed in with a few charity shops.

Original poster
Middlesex80 · 24/08/2019 14:05

Is anyone preparing their child for the Bucks 11 plus test?
I'm buying some test papers and considering the CPG and Exam Papers Plus as they have good reviews.

OP posts:
Pileofironing · 24/08/2019 19:01

Aylesbury is certainly pretty average I have to say. Why are you looking at 11+ papers if intent on Waddesdon/?

missbattenburg · 24/08/2019 19:11

How come you hate it?

It was a lovely little market town that was buggered in the late 70s/early 80s by several tons of concrete. I think most of the town is ugly - with some exceptions.

It lacks any charm or personality (to me).