Oxford Family Neighborhoods AND Top Primary Schools

[bstarin]

If you were moving from the US to Oxford in the late summer and did not yet have a home rented, what part of the city would you move to?

What are the top four primary schools you would try to get into?

Most important thing... what age are your children and how many?

If they are Reception, Y1 or Y2 ages (4-7) then schools are subject to infant class size rules and you would only get a place if someone leaves and you are then next person on the waiting list.

You are probably better finding out which schools have spaces in the right year groups (you may be offered different schools for each child - and no, they don't care that both kids have to be there at the same time in the morning), and then move as close as possible to one of them.

Thank you!!

Ages 10, 8 and 3 (currently, will be 4 by the deadline)

When does the 10 year old turn 11? (School year ages run from 1st September to 31st August)
Are they currently year 5 or year 6? As applications for secondary are made by end of October in Y6, so if they turned 10 in the last 5 months you will be doing secondary applications in the first term you are here, if they turn 11 before the end of August then you will have missed the application date and will need to do a late one which will mean finding schools that have places.

You need to prioritise moving close to a decent secondary with potential spaces for your eldest, and with a good choice of primaries for your youngest who you will be able to do an on-time reception place application for.

The 8 year old it will be a case of finding where has a space - but because they are 8 you won't have the infant class size restrictions which will make it a bit easier.

Depends on a lot on your rental budget as well.
Lots of people will say try to get into Cherwell catchment for secondary, but it's also (generally) the most expensive area of the city.