Schools in Rugby

[ZandZ]

Hi All,

I've only just joined Mumsnet and this is my first post here.

I would really appreciate an advice on Rugby area in terms of education and general information.

Currenly we live in Northamptonshire and now are thinking of moving as my husband's new job is in Birmingham. I work in Kettering and Rugby seems like a good alternative commute-wise for both of us and schools look not bad.

At the moment we have one son 2.5 y.o., so really are interested in primary schools but as I hope we will stay in our next house for at least 20 yrs (fed up of moving to be honest), so secondary school also comes into the equation.

I've done some homework and I've read quite a lot of info here on mumsnet a while ago and my perseption is that the best area for us would be Hillmorton. Paddox primary school and Ashlawn Secondary School - that is what I am thinking about (in case my son won't be able to pass the exam to Lawrence Sheriff Grammar school - which I hope he will).

Now we viewed quite a few properties in this area and actually lost one sale there (because of the problems with our buyer). Anyway, now we are in a position to start our new property search and I am a bit terrified. Unfortunately, there are not that many properties on the market in this particular area and my questions are:

1. Have we chosen correctly? Should we aim for this particular area? I even haven't been in any of those schools and only base my opinon on what I've read on the web. However, the lack of properties on the market and how fast they go makes me think that it was the right choice and lots of people aim for this area for a reason. In this case it would make sense to be persistent and to hunt for a house in this particular area.

2. Should we consider other areas of Rugby? They say Bilton and Hillside are good areas too. But I've chosen Hillmorton, so my son can go to Ashlawn Secondary School in case he won't get to the Grammar school as I've mentioned earlier. I am not sure about secondary schools in Bilton and Hillside.

3. Should we consider any other areas between Birmingham and Kettering? Our main requirements are good schools, reasonable distance to travel to work and preferably a town (not a village) with activities for children and some pubs/restaurants + hopefully shopping.
   We quite like how Rugby is positioned as well - easy access to motorways and very easy to get to London.

I will be very grateful for your comments.

Many thanks in advance,
ZandZ

I'm from Rugby originally and lived there fairly recently and still have family there so still fairly familiar with schools. Hillmorton a lovely area - husband went to paddox and it's reputation/ofsted is excellent - but you're right property doesn't come up that often as families have stayed put over the years and many are now retired. Bilton village, area around Rugby High and Hillside lovely but think reputation of Bilton infants/Bilton junior not so good as it used to be (although kids I know who have gone are happy and done well). As you rightly say, if you're looking for long-term house and obviously unsure whether your child will pass 11-plus you're safer on hillmorton side of town as Ashlawn is a brilliant school (just got ofsted outstanding I think) and of course has a grammar stream anyway. Schools over Bilton side are Bilton High and Harris (neither have a brilliant rep but I have no personal experience of them. Also so much can change over the years and you are a long way off from choosing secondary.

Also consider the villages - Clifton and Newton for clifton primary - outstanding, lovely village school (my daughter went there for a year). They are both very convenient for a14 to get to Kettering.

Hope this helps.

Give up on Kettering and move to brum ;)

The a14 is horrid at commute times - I can say this having driven it in both directions to get my mother from Kettering General today!

The above is said tongue in cheek but seriously drive your commute route at commute times before making any commitment and get your dh to do the same. The a14 should have been 3 lane...