Moving to Cambridge choosing a primary school - help!

[EllieHB]

OK, I know there have been so many mums asking this question, but please take pity on me, I'm trying to move long-distance and was due to come down for a visit to school and househunt this week but DS2 has had pneumonia so we've had to cancel the trip.

We're moving to Cambridge in July. I have 2 DSs 5yrs and 2yrs. The 5yr old is a bit on the shy side at first, a sweetnatured, sensitive, softie, very creative, loves music and art and sports, tows the line at school and wants to be an 'insect scientist' as of yesterday. Bit more of a girls' boy than a boys' boy. Tends to make strong bonds with individuals rather than hang out in a big gang. He went to a Montessori nursery and the whole Montessori thing suited him 100%. My 2yr old is very outdoorsy and also loves music. I'm more interested that they feel happy and comfortable at a school where they are treated as individuals, than that they go to somewhere with amazing results.

We're moving from Scotland where DS1 is at a big but cosy primary school with no seriously disruptive kids and I know he's much more comfortable somewhere like that. I'm keen on somewhere that's great on pastoral care, encourages kids to be creative and individual. I think they'd both be happy somewhere which has good music and ideally sports too.

I think I've read the Ofsted reports for all the schools (primary and secondary) in Cambridge, but they can only tell you so much. DH is doing a PhD at Darwin and we both travel a bit for work. We're thinking of living West or South, easy cycling distance from the centre of town and the station and so have narrowed choice down to Queen Edith's, Newham Croft, Morley, Fawcett. DH has seen lots of schools but not Morley or Fawcett yet - they were planned for this trip. But there's only so much you can get from a school tour. Any Cambridge MNs out there who have recent/current experience of the primary schools and living in the catchment areas I'd be hugely grateful to hear from you :) If anyone who can recommend other schools I'm not ruling anything out at the moment.

One other thing, we're currently living in total suburbia and I work from home so don't get to escape it much - I'm quite keen to avoid that in whatever area of Cambridge we move to, I have this dream of being 5 minutes from the backs, but unless we put a tent up by the river I'm not sure we'll be able to afford it, and I don't think that will count as a catchment address anyway.

Sorry for the long post, you can tell I don't get out much can't you. :o

Oh and anyone know what Bullen Close is like?

I live just round the corner from there! (so have been following this thread with interest as DD1 goes to school 2013). It's a fairly quiet cul de sac thing, we did look at a house there last spring and most of the families who moved in when they were first built about 15 years ago, had small children so their children are now a bit older, but it's definitely got 'quiet play in the street' potential. Very close to QE school and to Ch H park.

Should have said hello to the thread sooner! We moved to C H R last year, lovely neighbours both sides, plenty of space - we used to be off Mill Road but it got scary with trying to get two kids into a car when the road is one way with cars parked down both sides :( And as said up thread, when it's no longer so important about the pub at the end of the road, you look for other factors to a house and area.

Hi Ellie. We live near addenbrookes and dd goes to QE. She'll be in year 2 next year. One of the year 2 teachers is absolutely amazing and all the children (and parents) want him, so your ds could end up in his class. It;s a 1 in 3 chance as there are 3 classes that year unfortunately.

I know Bullen Close as we almost rented a place there last year. it's lovely - very good location. A really nice cul-de-sac and very close to school.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Maybe the house you're looking at is the same one!

Thanks that's lovely to know! Maybe see you at the school gate Tugamommy!
For any Morley mums out there, the other house we're looking at is in Glebe Road, it's a bit dilapidated but it's all we can afford we're definitely moving in the wrong direction for prices! Anyone know that street?

BTW Jumpjockey, I toyed with the idea of a house on the same road as The Alex, to try my luck getting DS1 into St Matthews. I thought I could just ditch the car if we were that central. BUT then I found out that it had a pub at the end of it, then I ran a mile or two to South Cambridge - how times have changed

We looked at two houses on Glebe Road when we were buying but both were tiny (the really small ones at the end of the road, not the slightly bigger ones in the middle and certainly not the amazing ones at the end alas.) It is a lovely road; the only things I would beware of are parking - if you don't have a drive the road gets filled up with Addenbrookes people and Perse parents. I also park there when I go to the wonderful Homerton children's centre on Holbrooke Road, because Holbrooke is usually full! You also have groups at the Friends' Meeting House on Hartington Grove, a little park, allotments, and very easy access to town/station. I love this neighbourhood - it is so friendly and I wish we could have lived there.

Well, I might as well join this thread since it very similar to my problem. Depending on whether I accept the job offer this week or nor we will very likely moving to Cambridge.

My daughter is currently finishing 2nd year at a Montessori school and is turning 5 this month. I work and the school she is in has classes / activities after school care until 6 pm. We had thought we were moving to London and had lucky found very good independent school that had 5 open spots due to an expansion But now that is all up in the air.

I will be working in the Science Park and we do want to be close to downtown and somewhat close to the train station. The current mad plan is bicycle my daughter to school and then bicycle work.

We are overseas right now and don't know the Cambridge area well. So any suggestions on schools / areas would help.

Thanks

Londo

I live in CB4 area, not far from centre. I can walk to Kettle Yard (art gallery) or Magdalene College if I fancy it. I cycle everywhere. Very happy with Mayfield school. We wanted to be near the station but the houses are tiny with tiny gardens. I had a semi in London with a 60ft garden, so I didn't want to miss out. We managed to find a detached house but it took ages!

I'm ideally located for the centre, the New Cavendish labs and the Science Park. The Science Park is quite away from the station, even further up from where I live.

To be honest, if you don't know where to live, rent somewhere and find out how it is... Parking is fine in my road - we have residents' association and street parties, so very happy here.

If money was no issue, I'd be in Newnham - you have to be super rich to get a decent house.

is the station to get into london - you could live in waterbeach or milton as there is a station in waterbeach with hourly I think trains to london - they is a bit out of town but milton is a mile from science park and waterbeach is 3 miles or so - lovely cycle along the river
if you are looking independant can't help you much - although I imagine most pretty good - and state also pretty good - it will be finding one with a space which will be the challenge

All the schools in Cambridge are good, with the possible exception of Shirley (altohugh I have never been there so cannot say for sure) and I have visited all of the other schools.

Don't rule out the village schools either, and the villages can sometimes have more going on in them than the suburbs, and be more affordable to live in. Meridian Primary School is really lovely (and undersubscribed) and Comberton is a very very good secondary school where Meridian kids go.

The Shirley is great as a school overmydeadbody. It has a 'good' ofsted and is improving all the time. My child is there and is happy and doing well. I have another child starting in September. Perhaps you should visit and chat to the Head and get a more up to date perspective.
As it happens I think the op is looking at schools on the other side of town. Good luck EllieHB. .

Sorry I meant good luck Londo. [Though hope Ellie ok too!!].

We aren't planning to buy right away. But I do want my daughter to have a great school. The reason for the independent school is because we need a school with after school care and our experience has been that they also tend to have extra classes. The oversubscribed issue scares me. My daughter have a good education and experience at school is very important. Which is why the decision on where to live is determined by the schools.

As close to the trains. Yes it was to get to London. I do love London.

I will look at the CB4 area

Thx

Btw please don't restrict to independent. If there is great after school care I'm really interested. But we would be in a difficult spot otherwise

Maybe worth mentioning that there will be a new train station in Chesterton at some point in the next 5 years or so:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge_Science_Park_railway_station

Your plan of cycling to school and then to work is not mad, it is the norm here in Cambridge.

There are lots of good schools to choose from but be aware that plenty of primary schools in Cambridge are now over-subscribed and can therefore be hard to get a place at if you leave it too late.

Good luck.

Most schools have after school clubs and even breakfast clubs round here. Or you could have a CM after school and for school holidays.

Hi everyone, we've made it to Cambridge! Thanks for all the advice!

Welcome - we hope you'll be very happy! Give us a shout if there's anything else we might be able to help with.

Me too..

Thanks everyone for the help. We did end up with St Faith's. Thanks everyone

Londo - what age are your children? I have 3 at st faith's.