Moving to Worcester - Help with schools and local area

[Zara79]

We are urgently looking at moving to Worcester from Oxfordshire and need advice re: area and schools please.

My SIL used to live in the Warden Village area and a year ago moved nearer to the city centre. As much as we want to live near to where she is we need to be near the M5 as DH will be commuting to Oxfordshire for the first 6 months (hopefully). This means we are stuck with the area around the M5. Can you please advice re: what areas to avoid and whats schools to avoid and which are the best or at least good.

DD1 is currently in reception at a community school which isnt good as she didnt get a place at any of our 3 choices. I really dont want her to be at a not good school.

thanks in advance

Anyone?

Whittington Primary school is suppose to be very good. If you don't mind being the other side of the M5 then Pershore is a nice place to live and the Holy Redeemer Primary RC School is one of the best in the country.

Hi Zara sorry I can't be much help on schools yet as my DS is only 10MO. Some nice areas of Worcester which are handy for the motorway are: Claines which is north Worcester (has a small primary school and is on the outskirts of Worcs so a little bit more villagey) or Battenhall (south east Worcester). Avoid Tolladine, Ronkswood and Brickfields. St Peter's is ok but quite a large cramped estate feel - it depends on what you like.

DS is crying - I'll try and come back later with some more suggestions.

Hi, thanks for responding.

We went to Worcester on Tuesday to have a drive around to have a look at different areas. The area that I really like is Barbourne which is where my SIL lives. Plus is 2 of the schools there has a place for DD1 for current reception year. Negative is it would add more time on DH's commute everyday.

As much as there are nice properties in Warndon villages I really don't want to live there or in the Nunneryhood area. The only area DH liked was St Peters, Barbourne and anywhere along Bath or London Road. But he refuse to look at Barbourne because of the commute. The negatives with the other areas are there are no space at any of the schools. Our choice would be Cherry Orchard primary or Red Hill Primary which are bother oversubscribed and no guarantee to even get a space in year 1.

I spoke to the LEA and I had a direct number for the person dealing with allocation, etc. she also gave me a list of the schools that has spaces. On that list only 3 of them look and sound good and has very good reputation but 1 is in St. John's and other 2 in Barbourne (which if I can get my way I would rather be) 2 of the others are where I really wouldn't want to live after viewing some houses there as well.

Just so frustrated especially because I've been so unhappy with DD1's current school.

Can't help with Worcester schools as we are a long way out, but before you decide on a location, make sure you do the drive from there to the M5 at commute time, as some of the roads get really backed up morning and evening.

Zara would you be willing to look a villages? Crowle is lovely - 5 mins from mway, 10-15 mins from city centre by car and has a nice village primary.

Hi Zara. Droitwich may be worth a look. I agree Crowle/Tibberton v nice though.