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Original poster

Schools in Ashford

11 replies

kando · 23/04/2004 11:58

We will be moving to Ashford early next year, when dd1 will be 4. At the moment we haven't bought a house in Ashford (selling our property first) and we are currently living in Hampshire. Does anyone know if I can register dd1 with a school in more than one area of Ashford? Also, does anyone know when the cut-off point is for registering pupils for the September 2005 intake? TIA

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tallulah · 23/04/2004 18:09

Have you tried the KCC website? I have a feeling it's all changed this year & you apply to the LEA with all your choices, instead of applying separately to each school (but as my youngest is in Y7 I don't know what the new procedure is!).

Word of warning though, all the decent schools in Ashford are oversubscribed & if you aren't in the immediate area of the school you won't get in. officially there are no catchment areas, but when we tried to move our DS none of the others would even consider him when we told them our address, & the school 2 minutes down the road was full... (of course it's easier getting in at 4 than at 7).

Which areas of Ashford are you looking at for your move?

Nutcracker · 23/04/2004 18:13

Well this year children had to have applied by about half way through march i think. Pressume it will be the same next year.

Original poster
kando · 24/04/2004 09:10

Thanks - will have a look at the website. DH wants to be within walking distance of the train station, so it looks like either South Ashford (?) or Willesborough. Unless we make a packet on selling our flat then we might be able to afford a second car so we could move further out. Where abouts are you Tallulah?

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marbeth · 24/04/2004 10:01

Hi Kando

The school system enrolling system has changed this year.You now apply to the LEA and put your school choices on the form.I think the cut of date now is in March,however this year parents will find out till May if they have been allocated school of choice.Also good schools are oversubscibed.Allocation is done on distance to school and also sibling priorty.We live in a large modern estate and are very happy with primary school which is new and purpose build.You could walk to station but about half an hour,however the buses connect regulary and many people go on the bus to the station.

Original poster
kando · 25/04/2004 07:52

Hi Marbeth! I had a look on the Kent CC website and found all the things I needed, but I presume they will run to the same sort of timetable next year so I've still got plenty of time (thank goodness - can hardly believe dd1 will be going to school next year!) If you don't mind me asking, where abouts are you? We've been getting details through for houses, most of them seem to be in Kennington, Kings North or Park Farm - I think the last two are both fairly modern estates?

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marbeth · 25/04/2004 14:42

Hi Kando

I live in parkfarm which is a large modern estate.It comes under Kingsnorth,postal address.When we moved four years ago we were completely new to the area and did not know where to live.However for us I feel that we made the right choice.The one advantage of living here is that all the school children live in the estate,which has been nice for making friends.Anything else you want to know let me know

Original poster
kando · 27/04/2004 10:17

Marbeth, we will be in the same position as you when we move - completely new to Ashford, unless you count one or two day trips! We're hoping for a house close to the railway station mainly because DH wants to be able to walk to and from the station (he will be working in London). We're getting particulars for lots of properties, most of which are either in Kennington or Kings North. From looking at the maps, Kings North seemed to far out to consider, but if it only takes half an hour to walk to the station, perhaps it might be worth considering! We won't be moving until February next year ... you never know, we could end up being neighbours!

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marbeth · 27/04/2004 13:21

Hi Kando

I am going in to town later,so I will measure the distance to the train station,so you have an idea how far it is in relation towalking,if you have any morequestions let me know.What age are your children.

tallulah · 27/04/2004 18:13

Only just got back here. We're in Singleton (South Ashford). You will be getting mainly Park Farm & Kennington house details because that's where the 2 biggest new estates are.

Someone else did a thread on moving to Ashford quite a while ago & went through the walking-to-station scenario. To be honest, if I had the choice I would rather live in Willesborough, but that is personal preference!

tallulah · 28/04/2004 17:38

Found the earlier thread here

Original poster
kando · 29/04/2004 17:42

Marbeth - thank you for doing that! That would be great to know. My dds are nearly 3.5 and 17 months. Can't think of anything else I need/want to know right at the moment, but now that I know you are here ...!!

Tallulah, that was me - I changed from Katmam to Kando after dd2! (But thanks for the links - I really must learn how to do them!!) Willesborough is the area we are mainly interested in as it seems to have the "best of all worlds" - walking distance of town centre/ station, seem to be plenty of nurseries and primary schools around, and there are lots of older/Victorian houses there, which is what we hope to buy. Thanks very much for all your help ladies. Perhaps when I move next year, we can arrange a MN meet up in town?!

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