Exchange private school place for state?

[vintagechicmum]

We've been offered a bursary to a very good local private school (good results, kids seem happy, lots of extra-curriculum activities) in Berkshire for my DD to start Y7 in September. She loved the school and we liked it too. We're very grateful to get the bursary which makes the fees just about affordable. DD was v.happy in her state primary but didn’t get any of our six secondary school preferences and has been allocated a poor alternative.

However, my husband has just been offered a position in Devon where we have family and friends. We can’t afford to go private without a bursary and all the funds for private schools in that area have been allocated, so we'd have to somehow find her a state school place (I've contacted the LEA, nothing available yet). We have a TINY 3-bed semi in Berks which would equate to a 4-bed detached in Devon, along with a more rural environment and closer to family.

So, my question is: would you give up the place at the private school in exchange for an unknown school place, but larger house and possibly a better quality of life? I think I know which way I'll go but any comments would be very welcome!

For me, large house in Devon and a new life for the whole family: yes.
Moving to Gloucestershire no. How good is the job? Would Gloucestershire be commutable?

Job is same level as he's on now, just a sideways move. Gloucestershire not really commutable. Decision is looking like we stay where we are now. Unless I can get her into Cheltenham Ladies College...

Cheltenham is a lot more expensive in terms of housing than Devon, but still cheaper than Berkshire.

[Grew up in Cheltenham, now live in Berks!]

Sound decision and congratulations to your dd . She'll be relieved she can take up her place in September

She can sit the gloucestershire grammer school test as she has not taken it before and if she is successful and places become available in the various school she can take the place. There is always movement within schools, even grammers. There are also some great comps in gloucestershire! Eg. Deer park in cirencester and balcarras in Cheltenham.
Poor you having to go through this at the time of the year.

If you do go to Gloucestershire, it may be worth considering (state school) The Cotswold School in Bourton on the Water. DH went there in the 80/90s and it was excellent then. I have often seen it cited here, and in school league tables etc as an excellent school in many respects, with facilities many independents dream of.

Devon will allow the children to look at sheep but have no future of job opportunities. Keep the sheep for holidays and stay in Berkshire for the sake of the children.

Yes, it's a little known fact that nobody who has ever entered Devon has been able to leave and nobody trapped in the county has a job. It's very sad. :(

Jilly that is hilarious. Devon is - as stated by a previous pp - an enormous county, filled with tens of thousands of people living happy, fulfilling and successful lives. Do you really imagine that no one has any work?! Places like the Met Office, DEFRA, The Environment Agency clearly manage to find employees of the right calibre and provide decent employment....