Nationwide school search

[backfromseoul]

Returning to the UK this summer after many years away, bringing back our 4 year-old DS ("I'm going to turn into an English person!"). Since we both work online we can live pretty much anywhere. As late arrivals we're not going to get good a choice of state school, so we're looking at fee-paying schools.

Our criteria are:

• Within 2 hours of London by train.
• Co-ed school with secondary.
• Able to live day-to-day without being car-dependent, i.e. home, school and supermarket within walking or easy biking distance. So probably a school in the centre of a nice city.
• Big plus for towns with a Korean supermarket(!)

York is top of the list with Bootham and St Peters. Bootham especially seems a good match for our Guardian-reading sensibilities.

But we're looking to compare York with some options down south before committing to a decade of York weather.

Brighton seemed good but Brighton College has no places and I'm not sure it'd be the right choice for us. Bristol sounds nice but I know nothing about it. Bristol High School perhaps? London? We lived there before but not sure about it with a small child.

Would really appreciate some suggestions, as we'd hate to miss a good option and it's hard touring round the country with a little one.

Cheers,

Max

The traffic in Bath and parking is a nightmare! I would say Winchester.

I think it might be worth your getting in touch with an educational consultancy such as Gabbitas and Thring, who will really know which are the 4-18 schools and give you some idea of the likelihood of you securing a place .

If DD is starting reception (when is she 5?) you have just missed the main allocation round, so will be looking for a late place or an occasional year 1 place (as I think you'll have found out from your Cambridge enquiries).

How firm are you on the need to be in a through school from the outset? Would a pair of schools with a strong feeder link be acceptable? (Stresses about getting a secondary place almost totally removed; all friends making the same move). This could widen your choice significantly, as you would be less dependent on finding one of a fairly small bunch of schools with a vacancy at the right time. And it provides a natural break point should your requirements for DD's education change during her school career.

No such school as Bristol High school. Do you mean Bristol Grammar school or Clifton High school which are both well renowned independent schools.

I agree with you mummy the Prep that we went for when DS was 7 is not the right school for him at 13 and I'm glad it doesn't have a senior school attached. He will be attending a school that we dismissed at 7, because he has become the type of boy who it will suit totally.

Agree that it may be easiest to pay for a relocation agent - they can look for both schools and property to meet your spec and save you a lot of time in cold calling. You then have a shortlist and can make more informed decisions.

Although living in Bristol is great, am not sure that I would really recommend it as a place to live without a car. Although officially a cycling city, Bristol is quite hilly and this makes cycling difficult. There are some cycle routes but there are many congested roads with limited room for bikes, cars and buses. Public transport such as buses is fairly expensive although if you choose an area like Clifton there are also local trains to the main station (Temple Meads).
Bath is also a rather hilly city and the King Edward's school mentioned is near the top of a hill on the outskirts of the city, so may not be accessible by bicycle.

Chester! 2 hours to London by train and has excellent state and private schools.

I think I have mixed up King Edwards and Kingswood schools - sorry!

i am always amazed at these threads

surely you know exactlywhat school you want your child to go to than to rely on an internet site

I think the OP is abroad southeastastra so might not be in a position to look at schools herself. If that is the case then I think getting first hand opinions off others is the next best thing.

hellsbells Yes, Chester! Exactly what you said.