Access to Slough/Bucks Grammar schools from a Windsor

[Sooverit1001]

Hi all. Soon to be single parent living in zone 2 London with a DS aged 5 in Reception at a pre-prep. He is academically working beyond his expected level and the plan was for him to do 7+ exams originally. For various reasons, I am now looking to move with Ds to a grammar school access area,with easy access to the City and north (to visit family). Have always preferred areas west of London so Windsor seems a good bet in terms of affordability though the state schools are not great (so I understand). Would I still be able to access the state grammars in Slough/Bucks and maybe Reading if living in say SL4? Plan would be send him to a local prep (hopefully with financial assistance) in meantime. Thank you!

Maidenhead or High Wycombe both have good rail connections.

Windsor and Reading and Slough are in Berkshire so would not be in Bucks grammar areas. If you want to be in that area you need to be looking at Burnham, High Wycombe way instead.

@5zedsthanks / unfortunately not a fan of either place, I prefer towns with a buzzy environment and where I don’t have to drive as I don’t drive. Maidenhead is too quiet , never been to high Wycombe?

@SeasonFinale - thanks. I have heard anecdotally that SL4 opens up access to Slough and Reading grammars?

Windsor does not have easy access to London by train. You have to get a chugger to Slough and change. It’s more common for people who need to get into London live in Maidenhead.

You can get into the Slough grammars from Windsor. You would struggle to get into the bucks grammars because you will be far away (again why people choose Maidenhead).

you won’t get into the reading grammars. Reading boys have changed catchment removing most of rbwm.

Reading School doesn't have a catchment so you could apply there from Windsor. However, it is insanely competitive to get in so, however bright your DS is, you would need a solid back-up plan.

You obviously can access some Slough grammars from Windsor, as Upton Court lists Trevelyan as a feeder.

Windsor state schools are good, not sure where you've got that idea from.

Sounds like my info on Reading School might be out of date. It used to be that you could apply from anywhere and they had kids from as far away as Guildford etc.

You can see on the bucks county council website, which was the last admission category that got a place at each school for the last few years. If the last category was distance from the school, it will tell you how far the last allocated place was.

I'm sure Slough schools will have something similar to give you an idea.

Though as your DC is only 5, bear in mind both catchment areas and admission criteria can change before your DC does the 11+. Also any new houses being built will likely affect the distance of last place offered if they are nearer the school than you.

Thanks all!

I’d look at High Wycombe. But it depends what kind of “buzz” you are looking for. Maidenhead is much quieter. Marlowe?

@LillyDeValley You can go direct, there are two stations in Windsor. Central requires changing but Windsor and Eton Riverside goes direct to Waterloo. It’s quite a slow train though so via Slough can be quicker.

Bucks grammars are catchment area schools, you have to be living in catchment, regardless of how highly you score in the 11+.

Anyone can sit the test, but it would be pointless if you aren't in catchment. As @xyzandabc says you can get this information from the website, but bear in mind that catchment areas are more likely to contract than expand (because of the new houses being built).

I don’t see Windsor as very buzzy. I would prefer Amersham or Beaconsfield. Nowhere is the same as London. Amersham gives you a better non grammar. Or come out to Wendover. High Wycombe is not as nice as these other places but villages nearby are great but if you don’t drive, hopeless!!

Some of Maidenhead is in catchment for Sir William Borlase’s at Marlow. Elizabeth line is handy. Or live in Marlow. Not sure it’s buzzy though. Reading is way more buzzy. University students and young professionals everywhere.

Wycombe has a theatre/spots centre/cinema/multicultural vibe, Marlowe more posh boutiques but lovely park/river and lots of restaurants, I thought Maidenhead a bit soulless and not much centre but it’s getting a fast train so presumably a good investment. Personally I would find the hordes of tourists for the castle and Lego land tiresome in Windsor. Reading housing felt quite cramped compared to what we could afford elsewhere. Schools change drastically over time, so give yourself as much choice as possible rather than moving for one.

@5zeds thanks again.
ive been to Maidenhead and yes found it too quiet. I don’t drive either so need somewhere well connected. I understand Marlowe is best lived in with a car.
i mention Windsor as I’ve always loved visiting but yes te tourists may be a nightmare!

Windsor is also right under the flight path. It's loud

Presume any properties close to these options would command a premium so would they still be "affordable"?

You'd be pretty unlikely to get into Sir William Borlase from Maidenhead these days - they usually take to only a 3 mile ish radius which only gets you to the very north edge of the main part of Maidenhead.

What sort of buzz do you want? What kind of buzz are we talking?
Slough is buzzy and edgy?
Henley on Thames is buzzy.
Windsor is v nice and buzzy with planes and some tourists ( Lego land is not close to the town center).

Thats not true! Windsor riverside station goes straight into waterloo!

@Summerwhereareyou being a city girl I need an area where there is stuff going on eg bars theatre parks. Will be a single person so will be good to meet others and make friends. Conversely also somewhere that has kids activités too! Perhaps I’m seeking the impossible outside London.

slough Is a bit too edgy and dare I say it , surburban for me

Slough is actually a pretty great place to love with fab schools and a real multicultural feel. Shopping centre is rubbish. Or you could move further into Farnham Royal/ Farnham common but both are v quiet..

I have a relative who lives in Henley..
I would say that's the buzziest place out of all those mentioned.
Did you say why you can't drive?
Marlow would be ok without a car as would Henley.
Although I think Henley maybe loosing it's direct service to London. Henley also has a gorgeous little theatre.
Windsor is nice but always feels like it's missing something,it should be better for what it is.