Primaries/Secondaries in Leeds - moving to the area, any advice?

[Emmy76]

Hi there,

My husband's been offered a job in Leeds and we're looking at moving to the area (probably middle of next year) with our 4 and 7-year-olds. They're currently in reception and Year 2 at out local primary school in London. Have looked at Roundhay, Ilkley, Chapel Allerton and Ottley. All very lovely but the popular schools seems to be massively oversubscribed and I'm worried about the potential disruption to the children of having to be at different schools/on waiting lists for ages. Does anyone have any experience of moving mid-year?

Thanks

Relatives with two primary age DC moved out from Chapel Allerton to Monk Fryston which is naice village with good road links.

Primary school in monk fryston is excellent, shame about the local secondary which is RI, again, is on its fourth headteacher in about 11 or 12 years, and consistently underperforms with kids of all ability levels. Perfect if happy to go private for secondary as a large number of village kids do, there are buses to private schools in wakefield, ackworth, drax, leeds and even the infamous One that must not be discussed.

And yes road links perfect for access to Hull/Leeds/York/wakefield/Doncaster and house prices cheap compared with Leeds itself

Look to Garforth, on the eastern fringes of Leeds.
Hugely cheaper than the popular N Leeds areas and a thriving and lively community. Several excellent primaries and an outstanding Academy for High School. Lots of children's activities around, especially sports and performing arts, dance, drame, music. Lovely High St. with independant shops and lots of parks. Oodles of young families too. And two train stations too!
Yes, I sound like a rep, but our family loved the 8 years we spent there, PM me if you want more info!

time agree . Garforth Academy is excellent across the board and all feeders are fab. Next to motorway too and has 2 train stations.

Whereabouts in Leeds is your DH's job? This may have an impact on where you consider. It's godawful at rush hour and I would pick wisely. I'd also consider how much time you'd be wanting to get back down south, as having to get through/round Leeds can add a considerable amount of time on to your journey.

Does it have to be Leeds? Would you dh be prepared to commute from a neighbouring town?