Any Saffron Walden MNers here?

[Happ1ness]

OK, so it's officially Essex but pretty close to Cambridge :)

We're moving out of North London to Saffron Walden as soon as we've found a place (soon, fingers crossed). DP and I both work in London, although I will be working quite a bit at home (2-3 days per week) so reducing the commute quite a bit (thank god).

Have a 4 year old DD who is in reception and am looking at schools for her - does anyone have any pearls of wisdom/recommendations? Do many of them have breakfast/after school clubs?

Is there much to do in the town for kids? I know about the museum and Audley End but that's about it.

hi, both my kids go to St Mary's. It v is a lovely small school and on the up. They just had Ofsted (awaiting report), but the staff seem pleased! Our kids are happy, supported and love knowing everyone in the school. It is filling up though, and is getting a reputation as a desirable school. RAB is massive, and some people (us included) are put off by the size. Hope this helps.

Taboscar DD is at St Mary's too. Been v pleased with her progress since she started. The fact that all the kids know each other (dd can't walk down the street without a kid from one year or another yelling out hi) is lovely.

Dear All,

I am not sure if this thread is still live but thought I would give it a try!

Reading this thread has been very useful. We are currently looking to move to Saffron Walden from SW London but I am very apprehensive due to living in London all my life. I understand the schools are good (both primary and secondary) and a great place to bring up children (could you advise and clarify this these points for me). In addition I am concerned that there may not be enough activity to occupy my children (aged one and three) and me! I don't really want to be too dependent on a car during the week and would like to be able to get to places by foot. We are looking at a houses close to the town centre. From my research there seems to be activity at the library and leisure centre are there other clubs/activities (sport/scout/yoga etc) for under 5's in town?

Furthermore what is the bus service like to Audley End? How long is the journey and how often are the buses (I am finding it a little difficult to find a timetable online)?

Also if we do end up making the move it would be lovely to meet local mums and children.

Your advice/guidance and suggestions will be much appreciated.

Hi Tree - just came back to this thread and saw your message.

The bus connection to/from Audley end is very quick, dependent on where you're catching it from it takes between 5-10 minutes to get there. Just be careful getting to the station during the day as there are very few once the morning rush is over, or at weekends. The buses back tend to coencide with the trains arriving and it's rare you have to wait long for one. There are always taxis there too (costs about a fiver) if you need to get back in a rush (I've only had to do that once since we moved here in March).

If you go to the traveline website you can enter Saffron Walden to Audley End station (or vice versa) and it will show you when the buses run.

DD is 5 and just gone in to her second year at school, so we haven't really had much exposure to the toddler activities, but friends who have younger kids (or who are childminders) always seem to be going to stuff at the library. There is a soft play centre just outside of town and another one in Linton (as well as a zoo) which is not far away, although you will need a car to get there. The museum in town often has stuff going on and at weekends Audley End minature railway is an absolute must (they also have a playpark, cafe plus a bouncy castle/swings there in the summer).

I won't lie to you - the reception years in the local primary schools are packed, you should be fine if you're in a catchment area, but I'd seriously take that into consideration when looking for a house and get as close to one as possible. I've heard great things about Katherine Semar, and RA Butler is also good (although has recently lost its OFSTED outstanding status and aparrently "requires improvement"), both are big schools (RAB in particular).

There are 2 VA schools; St Thomas More which is Catholic, and St Mary's which is C of E. DD goes to St Mary's and although I didn't particularly want her to go to a VA school, I've been really impressed with her development since she's been there, and she's in a class of 20 which is amazing! It really is a lovely school.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the move! It really is a lovely place to live.

Been interesting to read all your comments about the schools in the area. We recently moved to Saffron Walden. My DD has just started Friends' School and so far am really impressed she particularly likes the Forest School they do each week. Does anyone know of any good swimming lessons for under 5s either early evening or weekends?

Hi Pookie2
My daughter is about to start at Friends school in year 4 so great to hear your DD is enjoying it. In response to your post about swimming lessons for under 5s - have you tried the Potteries in Newport? DD goes to private lessons with Charlotte at the Leisure Centre which are great but unsure if appropriate for age 5 and under.Good luck!

Hi all .... I'm not sure if this thread is still ongoing, can anyone advise me on the quieter areas in Saffron Walden Thanks.