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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to move to Sutton Coldfield and get a secondary school place?

35 replies

Ceci03 · 15/10/2019 12:45

School seem amazing in this area and people tell me to move there - am moving to b'ham - but they do seem very oversubscribed. would anyone from the area happen to know if I move there would I have any chance of getting a school place. dunno what to do... thx. (am looking at Smethwick/Bearwood also - very different I know) WWYD

OP posts:

Interestedwoman · 15/10/2019 12:53

Ask the school how they are doing for places etc.

ultrablue · 15/10/2019 12:56

Depends what school it is in Sutton. My DD is at one of the Sutton Schools and I can't wait for her to leave, really unhappy with it and wish I had of sent her to the school on the Vale. Luckily she is the type of child who will flourish anywhere and is doing well.. My son is in 6th Form at another top performing Sutton school and the difference is amazing, you wouldn't believe that the two schools are supposedly linked...

That said I've heard good and bad things about the other schools in Sutton, you need to ask around, visit the schools during the school day etc etc..

The difference between the Sutton Coldfield and Bearwood areas is immense

ultrablue · 15/10/2019 13:05

Sorry hit post by mistake

It depends whereabouts you were looking at moving into. Into Sutton Coldfield itself or on the borders?

Some schools you have to live practically next door too others you can get into from Erdington/Kingstanding etc

My eldest DD went to what was the then worst performing school in the area and I got slated by parents for not sending her to a Sutton School, she begged not to go as they were overwhelming for her. She did brilliantly, came out of Uni with a first unlike a lot of her friends who went to the others schools, so a lot of it down to the type of child.

IMO the best school in Sutton is Arthur Terry, if I could of afforded to live in their catchment area I'd have moved like a shot..

Original poster

Ceci03 · 15/10/2019 13:30

thanks so much. I've asked the schools interestedwoman but they wont say until I have an address. And I'm trying to move somewhere that has places. It's a catch-22. I wish I could get the school place first and then move nearby.

OP posts:

peanutbear · 15/10/2019 13:45

My rldest went to Arthur Terry. Excellent school my youngest 2 are in another Sutton school. I'm not all that impressed to be honest with the catchment of pupils or the teaching. But the catchment for Arthur Terry is small and we were on the border so didn't get in.
I know fairfax has a scholarship type arrangement where if you are good at sports etc you can get in without being in the catchment. I'm. It sure how fair I believe this really is though.

PanicInAmerica · 15/10/2019 13:53

The decision is Sutton Coldfield vs Bearwood?

Bloody hell 😂

KingsHeathen · 15/10/2019 14:17

Fascinated to know which schools you're considering from Smethwick/Bearwood that would compare with Arthur Terry...

Pootles34 · 15/10/2019 14:22

Oh I went to Arthur Terry! Many many moons ago so entirely unhelpful...

ultrablue · 15/10/2019 14:33

@peanutbear

Sounds like your two are at the same school as my youngest ...

My DS is at Arthur Terry now and it's just so different to the other school especially the support he gets from the staff

Original poster

Ceci03 · 15/10/2019 15:02

you think schools in bearwood would be far inferior?

what if he doesnt get into arthur terry though. i heard it was totally full. I emailed them but they havent replied. I guess they wont until I get an address. I dont mind going out to sutton but do you think it's a better "bet" for a 'nice' school than bearwood/smethwick?

is it a crazy choice

can get a house with a garden in bearwood or an apartment in sutton

grateful for honest opinions

OP posts:

Paintingtheroseswhite · 15/10/2019 15:10

DH went to Bishop Vesey and he turned out all right (not that helpful I know but maybe it's worth a look)

RocketQueen79 · 15/10/2019 15:15

If you're moving to Birmingham I'd be more inclined to think about the area you're moving to rather than whether the school is the best one. I'd love to live in Sutton Coldfield... Bearwood and Smethwick on the other hand...

woodchuck99 · 15/10/2019 15:27

Are you applying this year or next? If it's this year, you're too late surely for an oversubscribed school unless you are renting and can move in before the end of the month.

raspberryk · 15/10/2019 15:35

Sutton coldfield is much nicer than the other area you're considering, however regardless of which area you're going, any late or in year transfer will leave you either with a place in the worst school in the area or travelling out to one you don't mind.
Happened to me!

Original poster

Ceci03 · 15/10/2019 15:37

does anyone know anything about erdington academy?

OP posts:

Original poster

Ceci03 · 15/10/2019 15:38

thanks raspberryk.

I suppose I should go to an area that has the "least worst" schools then...

Anyone any other suggestions. Bearwood came up because it's a shorter commute. I need to get to near thinktank science museum. So anywhere from moor st station would be good. or bus. thanks everyone.

OP posts:

shadyzadie · 15/10/2019 15:53

Solihull is on the Moor Street line and has a similar feel to Sutton (i.e. posh Birmingham ). Don't know about the schools though. If you're willing to walk from New Street station to Millennium point (about 10/15 mins) Lichfield is on the same New Street line as Sutton Coldfield and has good schools. Longer commute than Sutton (about 45 mins) but also very naice.

Chardonnay73 · 15/10/2019 16:01

From what I hear Arthur Terry is hugely oversubscribed and has a long waiting list even if you are in the catchment area.
Streetly School used to be good, not sure what it’s like nowadays though.
Sutton is a lovely area but £££

Original poster

Ceci03 · 15/10/2019 16:19

yes streetly keeps coming up on my searches as well. I think it's "requires improvement". How much do people put on the ofsted ratings. Would you automatically reject one that says requires improvement.
I did think of solihull but had a very depressing conversation with the school admission people there, the LA I think it was. Basically no school places, totally full, waiting lists etc etc.
I'll look at lichfield
Is there anywhere not too posh, kinda ordinary with schools that have places or am I looking for a needle in a haystack lol

OP posts:

IDontBelieveYou · 15/10/2019 16:29

@ultrablue which is the school on the Vale?

peanutbear · 15/10/2019 17:14

Honestly children who need no extra support should do well at any school witihin reason. What year would your child be in when you move?

Greenwood Academy is on the Vale isn't it ?

Slave2theGrind · 15/10/2019 17:20

Secondary schools in Birmingham are massively oversubscribed, literally even the crap ones.

For what it's worth, Bearwood is an improving area as it's seen a great rise in university & hospital professionals buying there as it's cheaper than Harborne/Edgbaston and has excellent transport links. Smethwick is not as although it's not far away, the transport links aren't great.

Mummyh2016 · 15/10/2019 17:56

Not just echoing everyone else but I don't think you would have a prayer of getting into Arthur Terry unless you're hoping for September 2021 - and you would have to live very close to it.

BelindasGleeTeam · 15/10/2019 18:01

Yup, Solihull schools are oversubscribed in many cases but if you are looking into 2021 you'll be fine.

Taught there for many years. Most are good: Tudor Grange probably best, but others are good. There's not many I'd avoid.

You could look further out depending on your commute. Warwick and Leamington are 35 minutes on the train to Moor At?

Vanillaradio · 15/10/2019 18:15

To echo others, Sutton schools and especislly Arthur Terry are absolutely massively oversubscribed at the moment. I know someone who lives about a mile from Arthur Terry and her dc not only didn't get in for this year but was initially offered a school in Great Barr! I've not heard great things about some of the other schools in Sutton in any case.........

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