moving to Cambridgeshire

[notmyday]

Hello,
We are going to move to south Cambridgeshire this summer! Doing our research now and we would like to be in the catchment areas for either Comberton or Sawston Village Colleges, so thinking of Sawston, Haslingfield, the Shelfords, Harlton, Little Eversden, Stapleford. Any views on where is a good village to live? Would like to have at least a village shop and pub! And we have two primary school age daughters so I've also been looking at all the ofsteds and school websites. Visiting Cambs next weekend!
Thank you very much for your help everyone.

Well! After my researching weekend in Cambridgshire, all change and we think Linton VC might be relevant after all! Discovered the Abingtons and that although it is as we initially thought a bit further out, it is actually well connected for the main road so is OK and we like the village, and I think the primary school is good. And there is a house for sale there. And the Abingtons are in the catchment for Linton VC - I've read the ofsted but any thoughts on it from you guys? Very useful weekend, though very cold - hope you were all wrapped up for the minus 12 on Saturday!

Be warned that that main road becomes something of a carpark at peak times of day.
Others will have to fill you in on LVC, I think, as we don't have kids there. Good luck with the house viewing though (heads off for nosy at RightMove to see what Abington houses are going for these days...)

I'm sure you've seen these already, but here are the school websites for you (with nice pics):
Abington
Linton Village College

Enjoy!

Low down on the Abingtons - good community spirit - eg recent development of the allotments and refurbishment of the Institute. I don't know what the school is like nowadays - there is a pre school and out of school club on site. Village shop/Post Office, popular pub serving good Thai food and opposite a classic village cricket pitch (with mixed junior teams). Riding very popular with the girls.
Only real problem is the general South Cambs problem re development. Some concern that Granta Park may develop nearer to the villages; council development plan shows several possible areas of new housing. However, these are problems facing virtually all villages in South Cambs.
Outside the rush hours it takes about 20 minutes to get into Cambridge and 10 minutes to Whittlesford Station.
Linton VC has always had a good reputation. Current head seems to be keeping up standards though we weren't over impressed with her when she was first appointed (took over from very popular head).

Have pm'd you

Thank you everyone, again an absolute mine of useful information, I'm so pleased I originally posted! :) Will keep you updated re possible move to Abington!

I went to LVC -left in 1980 - I just got very emotional looking at the website

Just a quick update to say it does look like we will be moving to Little Abington in June! We've decided it would be better for DD1 to have the last summer term in a new school so she can use that term to settle and hopefully make friends for the summer, and then move up with that class in September; and it might help the application process for DD2 to have a sibling in the school already. I think for Abington there's obviously Great Abington Primary, and then the only other nearby primary schools are Babraham Primary and Meadow School. Do let me know if I've missed any other options!

There's Linton Infants and Linton Heights Juniors, but that would mean your daughters were on two different sites. You would have to get them there, but you would for Babraham and Meadow too. Are you around in the day to drive/bus them around?

Good luck! Have you looked at the house you mentioned already?
Oh, and I think there would be space in Abington at KS2 at the moment (taps nose).

I looked at the Gt Abington Primary website and came over nostalgic - Kwik Cricket, Tag Rugby, Fun Run, GAPS ... even the Pantomime and school concerts!

Thanks everyone. Yes, we're getting the house previously mentioned (fingers crossed but process going smoothly so far). Will be going up to visit Great Abington Primary in the next few weeks, but I can't apply for DD1 until end of April as you cannot apply until 6 weeks before the start date. Then for DD2 going into reception I have to apply at the beginning of June as they won't consider applications after the standard 31 January closing date until the second round of allocations in June. All rather complicated but hopefully will end up with both DDs at the same school!

To me it sounds like you want Sawston, Whittlesford (if you need the train) or the Shelfords. Good luck!

Sorry - didn't see that this thread has two pages! Ignore my v. out of date comments!

All quiet at the moment so I haven't posted, but things progressing smoothly so far - on the survey stage with purchase and sale. Fingers crossed please! I've got 3 school visits set up for a couple of weeks' time, so looking forward to that.

That sounds good. All the best with the next bit -- which schools did you decide to look at in the end?

Whole process became rather drawn out ... but finally, have exchanged and will be moving to Little Abington in July! Also place at Great Abington Primary confirmed. Thanks again for your help, I'm sure I'll have more questions about moving to the area now it's all confirmed.

Congrats! Hope the move goes smoothly.

I realise I'm reviving an old thread, but can anyone comment on Duxford and particularly the primary school? I see it only has a satisfactory ofsted and isn't deemed to add a lot of value. Is this an unfair assessment? We are considering a move to this part of the world but would be moving away from a 'good' primary school that we like so would want to be sure the school was a good one. thanks!

We are moving nr Duxford soon if all goes smoothly, so let me know if you move there and we can arrange a new girl coffee!