Schools and life in the Cotswolds (and beyond)

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DH thinks it's the perfect time to quit the big smoke and semi-retire (although we still have young children). We failed to pull the trigger when we started looking in 2018-2019, then Covid hit. Other than a few day trips we haven't really been back and don't know if finding a nice house, in a good location, with access to great school is an even bigger headache than in 2019.

Is it better to live with easy access to say Oxford or Worcester for access to (state and private) secondary schools rather than in the middle of Gloucestershire or are there good state and private secondary options in Gloucestershire?

My biggest concern is the growing reputation for the Cotswolds being over-run with billionaires and rich celebs (a lifestyle we certainly can't afford). We have a decent budget so could afford something in most areas but I don't want to move out of a big expensive city to a country lifestyle that is even more expensive (access to a big name Supermarket and good council run gym would be more use to me than having Daylesford on my doorstep). Perhaps would we be better off looking in Oxfordshire or Worcestershire for a nice non-Cotswold village or even moving the search somewhere like Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire?

Will also post in property as think I've rambled my way into a 2 question thread!

TIA

@Applesandpears58 You are so very kind. A big thank you!

Useful to know! SEN isn’t a requirement (although you never know). BiL had to take a London council to court about 10 years ago… cost him £20k and they never stop trying to remove it!

I have heard good things about Chester… but as a born and bred Northerner if I go too far North I will tutted at and quizzed about why I don’t just go a bit further and come home 😳

Mockumentary you mean 😂😂😂

I find it strange that you think Cheltenham is very polluted. Sure there are a handful of busy roads, mainly the one way system, but you wouldn’t need to live anywhere near them. On the whole it’s a small town that punches well about it’s weight in terms of culture, facilities and schools. It really ticks all of your boxes. Maybe you need to spend more time there.

How about the south Cotswolds / north Wiltshire area, around Cirencester, Tetbury, Malmesbury? Well connected to London via the M4 and mainline rail, attractive small towns and villages, and not as touristy as further north?

No offence taken! I'm just surprised so many recommend Evesham when I would consider that to be the middle of nowhere 😆😆

@DarkCloudy It really does look like it ticks all my boxes and I have visited many times. It was a top contender for a long time… but things change. I don’t want to live in a mini-London.

Being 15-30 mins away and it being my local big town would be fab but that wouldn’t help with the schools situation, as the good states require you to live within half a mile. So I am still looking for a village or small market town with good state schools or buses to privates.

The ULEZ in London has made a huge difference to air quality. Cheltenham feels polluted in comparison.

I have been to Evesham and I do agree that it felt a bit on its own. I’m happy to be in a bubble, but that bubble then has to have most things I’d want. Will definitely check out Malvern as a local theatre is one of those things…

Sorry to quote myself but wanted to add that Malmesbury School (state) is highly rated at the moment

@stickybear Will check it out. Thanks

Evesham probably is more ‘on its own’ than Malvern, but imo more central, but depends what you’re after. Equal distance from Worcester, Cheltenham and Stratford, train to London takes 2 hours. If you wanted private education I know there’s buses from Broadway which is 10 mins away from Evesham to Cheltenham schools, and for Worcester schools you could get the train to Worcester foregate street. Nice walks with Bredon hill, Cotswolds on your doorstep and lovely independent cinema.

I went to school in Evesham and I can say catagorically that it’s not what you’re looking for 😆.

Lots to consider here in terms of schools. I love both areas. I worked across many in Oxfordshire schools at management level some years ago and moved for my own children's secondary ed to Gloucestershire. Oxford is great but is a city...with all that that entails, both positive and negative. It has a great independent sector for schools, but that impacts the state sector, and I personally didn't feel the state sector would serve my own kids well. Gloucestershire has great state schools - some wonderful comps (Balcarras and Leckhampton particularly) and the grammars in Cheltenham, Stroud and Gloucester which have good transport links. I would be less comfortable with some of the independent sector in Cheltenham, particularly the very small secondary schools which have very low student numbers and educationally iffy imho! Some of the prep schools are strong. It all depends on what you are looking for! The countryside around Cheltenham and Stroud is superb and there is lots of arts and culture.

I grew up in Malvern and it sounds like it fits what you want. Direct trains to London too.

I would say Oxfordshire state schools are largely excellent but state schools in Oxford city tend to be fairly tricky (Cherwell being the exception).

@OneDayIWillLearn Isn't Iffley a bit rough?

@eise no? Iffley village is about the most genteel place imaginable. Maybe you mean Rose Hill and up that way? The local MP actually lives in Rose Hill - certainly it isn’t unsafe (I run there regularly including at night) though I guess that’s a bit less classically desirable. A friend’s mum is between Iffley village and Rose Hill and loves it/ thinks it’s delightful. Iffley Fields also very well to do?

My DC are at grammars in Gloucester and have a lot of friends who travel in from Cirencester. The advantage of the Gloucestershire system is that it isn't at all dependent on location so as long as you don't mind DC having long journeys you can access them from wherever. There's an extensive bus route system (including from Bristol/Swindon and I've even heard Evesham mentioned).

I am probably mixing it up with Cowley . . . I was just thinking semi-retirement in that area wouldn't be ver desirable

Oh no I thought it was real! Silly me!

Oxfordshire has some lovely villages/areas, although traffic can be an issue.

Bartholomew is a great school as is Cherwell. I agree that Matthew Arnold School, which once a good school seems to be on the decline and student behaviour can be unruly. Personally I would avoid that one if possible.

@thanksamillion If you don't mind me asking what are the grammars like in Gloucestershire? Are they really difficult to get into and need lots of tutoring? Once you are in, are they very fast paced or just the equivalent of the top stream in a good comp?

Cotswolds, rammed, expensive with little to no diversity.

If you want gorgeous country life head North, Yorkshire and beyond.

We live in North Northamptonshire, having moved here 10 years ago from a big city. We absolutely love it.

Oundle town and surrounding villages (Fotheringhay, Elton, Warmington, Woodnewton, Kings Cliffe, Polebrook to name a few) are really lovely. Lots to see and do, loads of brilliant pubs (very important to us!). Cotswolds without the £££!

Going 15 mins north there is Stamford and surrounding villages (Ketton, Easton On The Hill, Duddington, Uffington, Empingham over in Rutland etc).

Our DC attends Stamford School which is private and we are very happy with it but there are good state secondary options too - Catmose College, Welland Academy, Prince William in Oundle. I also work in Stamford.

Stamford was recently voted one of Britain's Best Placed To Live by The Sunday Times - it's a gorgeous town. Locally we have good links to London (10-15 mins to Peterborough train station and then it's 50 mins into Kings Cross).

We live a rural but never dull life and have never regretted leaving the city!