Moving Quandry - Beuamont Secondary School

[HadMyTwo]

I live in St albans and am in the process of looking to move house. While we are at it, I want to make sure that the new house falls in the cathment area for Beaumont Secondary School. I know it is a long shot but would be grateful if anyone out there knows whether in recent years children from Marconi Way have gone to Beaumont. Thanks in advance.

Is that part of that newish development on the old hospital site?

If so, I don't think a place at Beaumont would be guaranteed - you might be more likely to end up at FB. The "catchment" area for schools like Beaumont is shrinking all the time. I would aim for somewhere like Wynches Farm Drive if you want a newish house, the Beaumont end of Hatfield Rd or that older estate bonded by Beechwood Ave and Hatfield Rd

Thanks GM. That's what I thought, that a place at Beaumont was quite "iffy" from Marconi Way. We will keep looking then (No hurry as DD still has a few years to go before secondary)

Actually I just had a look on a map and I forgot that you can get to Hatfield Rd the other way, rather than going up Ashley Rd, iyswim so it might be ok. It's closer to Beaumont than I thought. There are various sites you can put your postcode into to check which schools are closest - maybe try one of those to make sure?

I have checked the location relative to school and it's about 0.8 miles. If nothing else good (and affordable ) turns up we might think about the area.

It's borderline - check with Herts cc on the walking route but it looks as though it's via Hill end lane?

It is possible to get into Beaumont from that area BUT ... not guaranteed. Varies from year to year.

It has to be said that living on north side of Hatfield road gives you far more options for secondary - not having FB as your nearest for a start.

Have you tried hertschoolguru.com. It will show you how many times you would have been successful in last 5 years. I tried my address which is much further than Marconi Drive and it seemed OK

I can tell you that Beaumont and Sandringham schools are both massively over-subscribed, and I mean massive. To be sure you will need to be as close as possible to school with a safe walking route (as queenofherts said checking with Herts LEA is a good idea), the distance for the last child admitted under that rule (rule 4??) changes every year depending on numbers of applicants, siblings etc etc.

I can tell you that hardly any appeals are upheld for Beaumont because it is so full and popular, it also has special facilities for disabled children so they have priority too. Good school though....

Thanks all for your messages. I just checked the hertschoolguru.com and apparently our chances of getting a place are excellent even from our current location , though we do need to move anyway because of space so onwards and forwards with viewings and all that entails