Moving to Cambridge with five little ones!

[Ragnhild]

Hi guys

I am new on the boards though been lurking for a while. I could really do with some advice. I am moving to Cambridge with my five sons (soon to be 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10). It looks as though my DH is going to have to commute into London. I love Cambridge (lived there many moons ago) and we are also pretty urban so not put off by the bustle of city life but I do want to live near other families, and to be part of a community rather than just another house on a street.

So, now what I am wondering is the best place to live. The guy at the education authority has been very helpful in telling me where there are places for the children. Looks pretty bleak to be honest. Arbury is the only school that could currently take my three older boys. Ridgefield has space for two of them, as does Abbey Meadows. I visited St Paul's, St Matthews and Park Street earlier this week. Very nice and very popular though. We liked St Matthews best - it was a total mess but so full of life.

Additional problems - we would like the boys to go to Chesterton or Parkside CC, my fourth child is likely to get a place at Brunswick nursery over by the Grafton centre, and I will be walking or bussing it everywhere.

Feels like I have a small mountain to climb right now! :)

Are you planning to buy or can you move later? If buying - buy into the catchment of your preferred secondary school. Parkside is the best (if you can afford that catchment - we couldn't and we moved out to a village). Arbury is the worst - Manor House is very poor (that's where we used to live). Chesterton is OK.

As for communities - I think that will come through the schools, which ever area you are in.

Arbury Primary has just got an outstanding ofsted (and i think is Chsterton catchment for senior although I may be wrong).

If you end up in CB4 area, drop a line on here. My daughter is hopefully going to Mayfield (the other option is St Luke's). Forget Milton Road, it's impossible to get in. Have a good feeling about Mayfield as I know quite a few 4 years old who will go there and they are all bright (I'm parent helper at the nearby preschool). I'm involved with a local parent forum too so if you need info on activities for underfives...

Unluckily for you this year all schools are oversubscribed and the same goes for secondary schools. People are discussing this on local forums. Whatever you do, don't go to Girton, it's so oversubscribed people are considering Mayfield and other schools.

If you can't afford Parkside, Coleridge is on the up, as it's now part of the Parkside Federation. It's next door to Ridgefield. Romsey has got a great community feel, with Romsey Mill and Ross Street Community Centre, as well as Mill Road itself. I have a 3 and a 5 year old and am never short of things to do. Ridgefield also has a thriving PTA who need more involved parents ;)

My son is going to Coleridge in September and I am delighted about it!

Don't worry too much about community, this is not London. I would imagine that you will find other families wherever you choose to live.

I too think Arbury is a feeder school for Chesterton. (I think it is Mayfield, St Luke's, Milton Road, and Arbury). Contrary to what Acinonyx says, a large part of Chesterton's catchment is in Arbury (the area). The Arbury primary school has a male headmaster who is supposed to be pretty good. I have no idea about the Manor school.

goldenpeach, what local forums are you talking about?

I know of a couple of children who got into Parkside out of catchment if that's any help.

Girton Glebe is expanding its reception this year so oversubscription should be less of a problem. It will then have mixed classes in key stage 1.

I agree with prsnbx, it's not like London, there are families everwhere. Cambridge is very 'young' lots of parents and kids - you won't find it difficult to meet other families. Look at the schools and go for catchment areas. A lot of weight is put on ofsted reports, visit the schools more then once (I know I'm asking a lot from you here!) and go with the one that will suit your children best. The Ofsted report is one day in 3 classrooms a year - you will get more from just chatting to the teachers and then it will be your choice not an ofsted inspectors.

If your DH is commuting, does he need to then get on a tube? Both me and my DH commuted, he was knackered having to get an early train to then get on a tube plus the time getting to the station. I did better as my office is next to Kings X. We live 20 minutes from Cambridge train station and I was still spending 3 hours a day travelling. If you can afford it nearer the train station will make a huge difference; as I'm sure most people will agree Cambridge morning traffic is mental!

We don't live near station but cycle. Plenty of cycle parking space at the station, parking with a car is not cheap. DP goes to London often, but not every day.

I'm member of Arbury parent forum - the school shortage was discussed in cam misc, which seems to be more male oriented but pretty helpful forum.

I love Newnham but cannot afford it, pretty happy with CB4 area, lots of families here and few snooty types.

Go and see schools before you make your mind up!

Will you rent or buy?