Relocating from London to Cirencester

[Newhallcatz]

Hello there

We are in the process of drawing up plans to relocate from Sw London to the Cirencester areas - DH has new job in Swindon. We know nothing about the area and have 3 children (6, 4 and under 1) so are looking for some guidance re locations and schooling. Ideally DH needs to be able to commute the odd day to London so being near Kemble is also key - out of interest do people commute daily from Kemble to London?

I would be really grateful for any recommendations on villages in the Cirencester area. Would like to have some sort of community and a village centre. We are looking at Beaudesert, Rendcomb and Hatherop schools as well as state primary so any thoughts on schooling would be greatly appreciated.

I am quite anxious about moving as have no contacts in the area so would welcome any guidance on good spots to choose and perhaps those to avoid.

Many thanks for any help you can give:)

Hello there - we made the same move last year, SW London to Cirencester! To make you feel better, we haven't regretted the move for a minute. Quality of life here is SO much better, for both adults and kids! Villages around Cirencester pretty much all good. Depends whether you are buying or renting to start with. Challenging to find the right house if you have a tight time frame - but not impossible. We started with the school and worked back from there. Ours are at Rendcomb (9 and 12), and would highly recommend the school, particularly if you don't know people here. It's a v friendly school, kids and parents delightful - v good academically (9 of the Y6 kids secured grammar school places), and extra-curricula excellent - beautiful forest school, loads of outdoor activity in a really stunning location. We looked at Hatherop too, plus state schools. State schools were a mixed bag, some good, some average. Issue with state school was that we couldn't select the school - council selects for you! Also we didn't get here until end of August last year, and you can't apply until you have an address....so all too uncertain. Hatherop nice, but preferred the feel of Rendcomb - also Rendcomb has senior as well as junior on 1 site, which suited us better. We are in Cirencester, which is a lovely town. There is a good state primary in Meysey Hampton, which is towards Swindon, and is nice village. Hope this helps.

Higgit

Thank you so much for your input and great to hear that you have no regrets about the move as I am finding it quite daunting. Also very interesting to hear that children move from Rendcomb to the grammar schools as well as I understand that it is not the same with Beaudesert where most if not all children carry on in the private sector. I think we have worked out that we have to start with finding the right school and then work from there. Cirencester does seem to be a fabulous place and has enough going on that you don't feel too isolated from urban living!!

Hello - glad my words were of some comfort. Should point out that I may have misled you with the grammar school comment - like Beaudesert, majority stay in private sector, with most moving onto the senior school at Rendcomb (which really takes the trauma out of the secondary school move!) Mentioned grammar results to illustrate impressive academic standards - school definitely worth a visit! Best of luck to you.

Hello - we moved to Cirencester at easter - finding a primary school (we're in state) was a complete nightmare as spaces are very limited in the town itself - I think the villages are easier to get into. DD is year 5 so just looking at secondary schools now. I have discounted the grammar schools in Stroud as being single sex I really don't think they would suit my DC, but lots of people do go there from here and from further south still.

The secondary schools in Cirencester and surrounding areas all have really good reputations and I'm happy with what I've seen. I've got 3 DC and there is no way we could afford private so the schools here were a major selling point for Cirencester.

My DH commutes to near Heathrow from here and also has meetings in the city - driving takes about 1.20hours (depending on what time you leave) - train about the same and lots of people do it.

Good luck with the move - and once you're here join to local meet-up group. Would be nice to have RL conversation!

Hi, I'm probably too late to join the chat but we're moving from the North West to the Cotswolds as we speak! I have a 14 month plus 7, 8 and 10 year olds. Our location was pretty much decided by which houses and what size were available to rent during the short time we had to get organised.

We found a place (nr Cricklade) which is right on the Gloucester and Wiltshire borders. Husband has meetings in London and drives 20ish mins or so to Swindon for the train. From earlier research I remember reading that someone had said that connections to Kimble can be missed so the commuter in the family can end up stranded at Swindon!

At the moment we're on holiday and the removal people are packing us up while we're away! Delivering the week we get back so will let you know how it all works out...

We found a nice school for all three older children in Ashton Keynes having researched and visited quite a few. Have to decide on high schools for 2014 intake next. Just by chance, I've discovered that Cricklade has three nurseries which will be great for intriguing my little one to life beyond Mummy's hip.

Hope you have a smooth move!

Welcome to the Cotswolds! You sound pretty well sorted. Re communting from Kemble/Swindon...it's a mixed bag. Parking much better at Kemble, but better choice of trains from Swindon. My kids loved meeting Daddy off London train in PJs on Friday night (Kemble).
When you start looking at Senior Schools check County boundaries. Cricklade is right on the border and Glos and Wilts have different offerings. Different again if you are going indy.