Help! Moving to Bourne End (bucks) need advice!

[mumtastic1]

I'm in the process of putting our house on the market and renting/ relocating to the Bourne End (bucks area) we hope to sell and move by end of summer term.
It's going to be a last minute rush as were holding out so our eldest Dd doesn't have to change schools twice in one year before she goes off the senior school.
I need to find schools for both my DD'S one will be moving to senior school y7 and the other yr5. I've had a quick look at some of the schools around the area on Ofsted via rightmove, but I'm worried now as I've been told lots of the senior schools are over subscribed and as I will be apply June/July it's unlikely any places are going to be Ava.
Can anyone recommend any good schools. Also we are in wiltshire so do not take 11+ will be looking for standard comprehensive not grammar.

Also has anyone relocated and had to move their children/schools around this time of year. Any advice or experience would be a great help as I'm struggling to see how I'm going to get both into school at such late notice

Hi As it's a grammar area there are not a huge no of comprehensives. The local board may throw up more local advice. local.mumsnet.com/Talk/local_buckinghamshire

There's a list here that might help www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/li/secondary_schools.in.Bourne%20End,%20Buckinghamshire/

Thanks guys I'll hve a look at these!

I would not recommend Bourne End Academy. This is a conversion from a school that had a lot of problems.

I'm not sure whether Bourne End is in catchment for Holyport College but I think I would have a good look at that.

Actually, it looks like they are oversubscribed and you'd have to be on their doorstep (which would be no hardship if it worked for you).

Thanks Charles I'll have a look at Holyport , the other school I'd heard of was wye valley but I think it has gone into special measures on it's last Ofsted check. I'm trying to stay away from High Wycombe if it can be helped.

Apply to grammar schools anyway, take test late.
Go across the border to Berkshire?

When we moved, mine just did a summer term in new school (I found a school first before deciding where to rent) but they were in primary school, so easier.

Bourne End Academy is the new name for Wye Valley. I would avoid!

People seem to like Furze Platt (Cookham catchment), Great Marlow (Marlow Catchment) and Newlands (all girls Maidenhead and Cookham). I think Beaconsfield and Cox Geed are ok, but people don't seem so keen on Bourne End Academy or Altwood. As you can imagine the schools that are most liked tend to be quite over subscribed.

I think there would be quite a bit of movement in the Area so worth getting on any waiting lists for schools you like. There is a 12+ so if your DD is quite clever you could try that next year.

If you could afford to be in Cookham you would have some good primary options (probably oversubscribed but again probably some movement) and in catchment for Furze Platt and possibly Newlands. I actually think you Y5 dd might be harder to place as Y5 is quite an important year and people tend not to move around too much in Y5 and 6....

Thanks you for all your advice, I'm org from Beaconsfield but my Dd were babies when we moved to Wiltshire. I know the Cookham area well so might have a look at prices there.
Can you asked to be added to waiting list before I relocate ? Also in some counties you apply via the LA and others directly via schools.

Hope you have a spare million if you want to live (and fit in) in Cookham!

Haha I know Peace the prices are frightening, outskirts are a possibility!

What about going slightly further south into the top of Maidenhead itself so then you're in catchment for Furze Platt. That would be my choice of secondary in that area.

As it happens I'm considering furze platt, Toomuch.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe you can apply for a school place or be put on a waiting list until you have an address (I think the technicalities might be exchange if buying, or signed tenancy agreement).

I think waiting lists are operated in strict criteria, and take into account sibling priority and distance (hence the need for address). Probably best to call LEA or school to check.

Catchment areas have shifted round a bit in recent years, and like so many areas there has been a noticeable increase in residential development without much increase in school place provision. There are still schools with places, but of course these tend to be the less popular schools.

Did you not fancy Beaconsfield mumtastic? lovely (quite pricey though!)

Hi Bears, I'm going to give a couple of schools a call to explain our situation and find out the best way to apply. I did think we may need to rent somewhere first so we can show proof of address etc. I know Beaconsfield well it's lovely but schools are v popular, prices v expensive. May have to give LA a call as well to find out best way forward. Hoping to rent somewhere from June/ July which only gives us 4 weeks to find schools before summer hols.

Also try the 11 plus forum for advice.

Tanxs poison will hve a look x

You are seriously limiting your options in Bucks if you don't consider the grammars. Any particular reason for avoiding HW? Wycombe High for girls, RGS (which would be my choice) or John Hampden for boys.

Hi Mara, no other reason than traffic and prefer outer areas of HW, will hve a look at the girls school. Thanks for Suggs any other rec are more than welcome at this stage!

My only other consideration is that the Bucks 11+ is still a lottery, whatever Bucks CC try and pretend. I've known too many very bright children not get into grammar school (and heavily tutored, less able ones who do get places). It's also incredibly unfair that Bucks state primary schools are not allowed to prepare the children for the exam, but private schools don't have the same restrictions. So for a child from a state primary to get to grammar school without a lot of tutoring, they have to be both very bright and very lucky. Yes - you'll always get people who know of exceptions to this but I've taught year 6 in Bucks for long enough to have plenty of examples to back up my case.

If you're prepared to enter the lottery, with all of the pressure on both parents and children that goes with it, then that's fine. Yes - the HW grammars are excellent, but what if you aren't one of the lucky ones???

My only other consideration is that the Bucks 11+ is still a lottery, whatever Bucks CC try and pretend. I've known too many very bright children not get into grammar school (and heavily tutored, less able ones who do get places). It's also incredibly unfair that Bucks state primary schools are not allowed to prepare the children for the exam, but private schools don't have the same restrictions. So for a child from a state primary to get to grammar school without a lot of tutoring, they have to be both very bright and very lucky. Yes - you'll always get people who know of exceptions to this but I've taught year 6 in Bucks for long enough to have plenty of examples to back up my case.

If you're prepared to enter the lottery, with all of the pressure on both parents and children that goes with it, then that's fine. Yes - the HW grammars are excellent, but what if you aren't one of the lucky ones???

Hi guys, I'm being completely realistic in that Dd is bright child, I do know she would be more comfortable in a non-grammar school setting. That's why I'm looking for advice on good senior schools. I'm not looking to apply to grammar schools. I'm Looking for a good senior school with 6th form attached.

Totally agree with toomuchicecream, the new bucks 11 plus is a total joke.
Many schools are finding that many of their most able pupils working at the right levels for Grammar school are being given very low scores and failing the test, yet some Grammar schools now are having to have remedial classes for some of their students that were heavily tutored for the test, pass, and then really struggle in the G school because of course their private tutoring has by then finished.
My friend looked at G Marlow and thought they were packed liked sardines in the classes, she much preferred St Michaels in High Wycombe.