Moving to Lancaster - primary schools?

[ellefdo]

Hi, I am moving in to Lancaster with a four year old and have to send him in to reception classes in September. Clueless about the whole process of schooling - please can anyone advise about the good schools to send a four year old? I can settle down within about half an hours driving distance to Lancaster university, so trying to choose an area with the best schools - government or private. Any help much appreciated - thanks!

Hi Ellefdo

I'm not much use but I was you last year. I'm in Lancaster now and dd is in a very good school we're all happy with, but it's too far away for the university.

I went on the goverment websites tbh as I had no idea. I think you should have a good choice down that way though. Maybe speak to other parents at the university?

If you are looking for a school close to the Uni there is Ellel St Johns's school in Galgate which is about 5-10 mins walk away (depending on which end of the campus you are on). They have a mix there of local children and children whose families work or study at the Uni.

There are a number of other schools within 30 mins - Quernmore Primary School is about 15 mins drive away and is rated Outstanding by OFSTEAD.

Moorside CP School and St. Pauls Scotforth are also South Lancaster, but can be oversubscribed. Dallas Road is in the town, but is also rated Outstanding.

Admission to school in most cases is based on where you live.

To apply for schools you need to go through the local governement website. school admissions link

Forton school is good, as is Cockerham school or any of the primary schools in Garstang.

Would love to know how you get on ELlefdo as we are hoping to move to LAncaster too.

quernmore - fab !!!!!

I would definitely consider a village school. Ellel St John's, Forton, or Quernmore are all within easy reach. Experiences of friends' children at Forton are excellent. We live in Lancaster but chose to drive out to a village school (north of Lancaster) and best thing we ever did.

Hi,
I believe Moor side primary school is a good option for you.

I moved here 7 years ago. Start applying as soon as...found some schools (Dallas Rd, Moorside) strung you along then at last minute said no, which was hard with no family support network in place. My DD went to Christchurch, which she absolutely loved, it was a brilliant school.

We are moving to Lancaster and DS is going to move school in September to Year 1 class.

Now two schools have a place for him, Moorside and Dolphinnholme. We intend to live close to Moorside because we like the area and it is close to work, which means we will have to drive out to the village for Dolphinholme - how is the traffic like at the school run time? On the other hand, Moorside will be on our doorstep. Having said that we visited Dolphineholme school today and have had really good feeling about it, also it is an outstanding school for a number of years.

We really like to hear local mums' opinions, experience of both schools to help us making this very important decision.

Thank you very much.

Traffic in Lancaster can be bad at school-run time......but going out to Dolphinholme won't be too bad, it's the getting back in afterwards that might be harder!

As Moorside is a good school I would stick to that because it's going to be very local to you. Much easier for him to make local friends for out of school play dates etc. Also 2 form entry is good as any problem friendships can be split up and so on.

Hi, just wanted to add that Moorside is now 3 form entry so there will be 90 in reception this year, which may or may suit you. I think it is currently full for september but that may change.
Lots of other schools in easy distance if not. Bowerham and Scotforth are both v family friendly areas, I know parents who send children to Moorside, Quernmore (v small village school with its own school cat) , Bowerham, Scotforth st. pauls and Christ Church from there. Hope you find a school you are happy with, good wishes, Jill