moving to tunbridge wells

[casey1]

Hi everyone, we intend to move to tunbridge wells from cork in next 6wks. I have one dd and a dh! My dd is due to start in yr 1 in sept, but obviously we can not apply for schools until we have an address and also have missed all application deadlines so far. Any school I like seems to be so oversubscribed, and my fear is we will get offered unsatisfatory schools. Was going to try to rent near one of my choices and then play the waiting game(for someone to leave if ever) I have heard the good schools have little chance of in yr places coming up. Another idea was to try one of the village schools but really wanted to live in tw itself. My husband needs to be near station for work. Feel quite helpless. All advice welcome. p.s lived in london for 16yrs so familiar with catchment areas etc. DD is baptised but I don't like sound of sharing classes in St Aug. Also have 2 small dogs which is proving tricky with finding hse. Don't mean to sound moaney, any tips?

Hi casey1,

I'm afraid the schools issue is a real problem. My brother is moving down in a couple of weeks and he's been offered spaces in unsatisfactory schools that are miles away from his house. As my sister-in-law can't drive it's less than ideal. In the end they have decided to send their son private. You might have more joy with village schools and your husband can always drive to a station - if he leaves early enough or doesn't mind walking a few minutes, he will usually find a space.

Good luck with the move - it's a great town and really kiddie friendly.

Schools here are a complete nightmare. You won't get into one of the good schools unless you live on its roof and the situation is going to get a lot worse next year as KCC have reduced the PAN for several schools, meaning even siblings won't get into the schools, so 'new' children won't get a look in....I am involved in trying to bring a Free School to TW, so know how dire the shortage of primary places is.....

Is going private an option and then sitting on a waiting list? Do you have an idea of where in TW you would like to be? St Augustine's is getting a new head in January, so it's conceivable that they may change the current system.

It's a fab place to live though - school crisis aside!

Thank you for advice, going private isn't an option but trying village schools is, as I can drive her to school. Despite everything I am very excited about move and glad to hear everyone seems to think it is a fab place to live.

Thanks for tip re Saint Augustines, that might be worth a try as dd is baptised.

oh, re where we might be, we are currently looking at hse near st peters school