Thinking to buy a house in Danbury, Essex for primary and secondary education.

[Tellmesomethingididntknow]

Hi all,

So I'm looking to move from East London to Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex. Couple of years ago I heard Essex has great primary and secondary schools. Chelmsford had reviews about the best place for families and I also looked at crime rates in the area.
Chelmsford town was where I first started looking and the houses seemed pricey and it was busy. Then the school I looked at town didnt have any spaces for my son for yr4. I started hearing about Danbury village and theres a few shops there and the crime rate is lower than in town.
Im having to make decisions on my own and not sure if Im doing the right thing. I recently found a house in Danbury and found a nice primary school nearby which my son can start in yr 4 to 6 next academic year. Im hoping and thought Id give him a chance for the grammar school in Chelmsford town. But when I checked the bus route from the village to the Chemsford grammar school, it takes 40 minutes apparently, according to the bus company and that about 6 miles. I am slightly worried if this is too far for my son to be travelling to and back everyday. Also theres a grammar schools in Colchester and Southend which is even further away. Obviously, if he doesn't get in, thats fine and Im hoping theres other good schools nearby.

I just want to know if there are anyone from Danbury area and what they think about the area and if anyone can recommend schools nearby. Are the buses regular to get into town. Also want to find out peoples opinion about if they think I should be looking closer into town, just any previous experience and advice really. I am willing to move anywhere with a nice area and schools. Thank you

Absolutely no help- except I went St John's primary in Danbury for YR and Y1. And was mystified by The Heathcote School's red or blue uniform!

Danbury Park and st John's are feeder schools for Sandon School, which is popular and well thought of.

Re KEGS, 40 minutes is quite normal for secondary school. Since there os no railway station in Danbury and you think a 40 minute bus jouney into the city centre is long, I assume that you drive? The bus from the Sandon Park and Ride serves a stop very near Chelmsford railway station, which is a short walk from KEGS. You can drive in and out of the Park and Ride site without paying (it is the bus that you pay for, currently £1 a day for under 16s), so you could always drop him / pick him up there.

Have you looked at Springfield? Not as busy as the town centre but a bit nearer to KEGs and better commute by car or bus. There's good primary schools too with Boswell's secondary and the newer Beaulieu school (a combined primary and secondary).