Would you move house to improve chances of a better school catchment area for dc?

[Nicecupofcoco]

Hi all,
Just wondering if any one would consider moving house for a better school? If so did you manage to get the school of choice?
I'm probably being completely rediculous but, we moved to a great house afew years ago, with the hopes of starting a family here. We now have dc. The house itself is great, the primary school close by is fine, it's the secondary school that seems to be failing,and has been for a while, I didn't think to look into secondary schools when looking for a house.
So, would it be utterly ridiculous to consider moving across town to hopefully secure a place when the time comes, or stay put and hope for we manage to get into the school we would hope for?
Thanks!

If you can. Move.

Depends how old your kids are. If the school is failing now is there a chance it will be overhauled in the next few years and it could be better when your DC start secondary?

Of course. If you can, move.
It was one of the main things we looked at when buying a house.
We only had one three year old when we moved we've now got four dc and won't move while they are at school as we got lucky with a great house and great location for schools.

Yeah, he's still only young, so we have plenty of time, it's just if we're gonna move I'd rather do it sooner rather than later. Yeah, I've looked back over last few ofsted reports, and it seems to have been this way for a while. I know moving into a catchment area doesn't guarantee anything, but hopefully would improve our chances! Thank you!

I think it really depends on how old your children are. That said I rejected an area near me because the only secondary options were a 10 form per year school and an academy with a catchment that included a rough area. It depends on whether there is at least the possibility of the schools improving.

Yes, absolutely.

If you're going to move for a secondary school I'd leave it until at least Y3 or Y4. Otherwise you run the risk of the school you've moved for going downhill while the one you used to live near improves!

I wouldn't base a move on Ofsted results though - have you talked to anyone who has a child at the "failing" school to get a true picture?

Yeah I know what your saying redsky, it does seem silly to move so early, I just wanted him settled rather than having to move him once he's started a primary school! If I'm honest I don't really know of anyone that goes to the school in our area, we haven't lived here long. Just me doing some research really, it's not just the ofsted, it's lower exam results, but your right, I should try and ask around. Thank you.

Of course you can move for a better school. Many people I know did it.
You may want to upgrade anyway after 7~8 years.

Did it twice and it worked out well. Both times you were virtually guaranteed a place if you were in the catchment area but this isn't the case where. Be careful of timing, a long treck to primary school isn't much fun.

Yes. My DM and GPs did for me so that I could go to a Grammar. We chose to live where we do for the same reason.

Can you find out details re how places have been awarded geographically for local schools. Where I live, there’s not as much pressure on high school places and majority get first choice regardless of catchment. We have a choice of around 6-8 high schools within easy driving/bus distance.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks tfoot75, yeah there's 3 secondary schools in the town we live in (plus one private) two of them seem highly regarded, the other one I've heard not so great (on few local mum groups, I haven't personally been told anything, but this is the secondary school in our catchment area) so then when I did my own bit of research online saw the last few ofsted reports and few other things that worried us. I will keep trying to suss it out though, thanks so much!

We moved from a lovely Victorian house to a 1950s semi to get dc into an outstanding primary and secondary. Both dc left school with excellent gcse's. I have never liked the house but it was the right decision.