Primary schools in East Devon

[Roundthemulberrybush]

DD has just got a place at Colyton Grammar (hurray) so it's time to make our move back to Devon to be close to family (hurray?). The problem is though I know the area well I have no idea what the best primary schools to aim for are these days for my other DCs (yr 4 and reception currently), which dictates where we live really. I would like to live round Budleigh Salterton as I love it but have a feeling schools aren't so good and we might be better further up from the coast. Also I guess it's important whether the better primary schools are so oversubscribed they would not have in-year places.. Any thoughts very gratefully received.

I know lots of lovely children who go to Mrs Ecclestone's in Uplyme/Lyme Regis and some of the girls there are going to Colyton in September. If you want to message me direct then I can maybe help with some of the others and I have friends who would know about them. Plus my daughter starts at Colyton in Sept…!

Primaries in E.Devon have a marked tendency to go quite spectacularly in and out of favour. I've seen the rise and fall of many! Budleigh is going to be a longish commute for your eldest and the bus fares will be expensive. If your younger two go to the grammar the fares will mount up enormously. Lots of kids do do the long commutes but it's worth thinking about now, if you have a choice. Also possibly worth thinking of the catchment area for other good secondaries (or the travel to the independents) just in case your younger two don't go to Colyton.