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Another school choice query, sorry!

14 replies

quail · 03/07/2014 10:00

We only just found out we're moving to Cambridge in September, so the school thing is as terrifying as you'd expect. My two kids will be going into Years 1 and 3 in September. They're sad and anxious about the move.

We won't have time to sell our house here and want to get to know the area before we buy but we definitely know where we're renting - off the Huntingdon Road, not too far from the centre. I think we'll be in the catchment of Mayfield and it's geographically the closest and I do like to walk to school, although that isn't a dealbreaker.

The thing is that we are also probably thinking about buying in Girton in a year or two. And I'm already moving my kids once, and I don't want to do it immediately again. So I don't know whether to apply to Girton Glebe and hope that I'll be walkably close to that in two years, or whether to apply to Mayfield and live for now and if they like it, it's only a short drive from Girton. We haven't had chance to visit either school and don't know anything about them beyond the Ofsted reports.

A little inside info would really appreciated. The things I'm interested in in schools, I guess, are a bit of grass to play on, nice kids (duh), stuff going on, like our school now seems to have lots of special days that the kids get involved in.

Thank you for anything, no matter how small or irrelevant, that may help me work out what to do.

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orchardy · 03/07/2014 18:38

Both are nice. I know more people with kids at Mayfield, but they are all pretty happy. It's a good mix of children, yes there is grass to play on (I'm sure this must be the case with Girton too) and I think Mayfield parents are pretty sociable.
Maybe also think ahead about whether you would want Chesterton or IVC for secondary, as most Mayfield kids will go to the former and most Girton to the latter... That way you at least ensure they get to stay with their friends at that transition time.

Nosleeptillcambridge · 03/07/2014 19:56

Have you rung the LEA to ask about space? Both are pretty over subscribed so you may find you have limited choice...

Girton is smaller than mayfield and has a good community feel. If you will be living in the village, it's nice for the children to be part of the school community too. The school is getting a new field next year as part of the expansion. Also getting a new Head - acting one in Sept while they recruit for new one. A lot of people walk/ cycle to Girton but there are still a lot who drive as going onwards to work or live at edges of catchment, so parking can be a nightmare.

GG is due an OFSTED, and expecting inspection this term, so there may be a new report FWIW later this year.

jaynebxl · 03/07/2014 20:00

Both do have grass and quite a bit of it. Mayfield was oversubscribed but I'm not sure about Girton because I think they introduced an extra class although they then had mixed year groups, in case that bothers you. G has a swimming pool, can't remember if M does. M is bigger which has pros and cons.

Nosleeptillcambridge · 03/07/2014 21:27

Another thought for you: driving from Girton to Mayfield may get worse over the next few years - more houses planned on the NIAB site and at north west cambridge, so even more cars inching down Huntingdon road.... But you could cycle, and the cycle lane into town on Huntingdon road is due to have improved safety measures at some point.

quail · 04/07/2014 10:26

Thank you so much for all the replies, so helpful! Urgggg I'm not going to get either, am I! My kids are going to get places in like one on the other side of town and the other in Scunthorpe! But you have to have proof of address and we only just found out about the job and haven't got a lease confirmation for the rental house yet. They're so miserable about moving and I'm probably going to make them move schools twice more!

The local authority listed some schools that were not very close, I think, but am hoping for miracles. I'm a bit confused by all of it, I was just filling in the form.

Found another school in between, Apple something.

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WilderRose · 04/07/2014 10:49

Apple? Not sure I have heard of that one.
Orchard Park?

jaynebxl · 04/07/2014 11:36

I followed that link and saw Waterbeach school has places Waterbeach is a nice little village anf quite accessible.

ChestertonCharley · 04/07/2014 12:11

Have you considered Hardwick? They have a fair bit of outdoor room plus it's not over-subscribed.

quail · 04/07/2014 13:33

"Apple? Not sure I have heard of that one.
Orchard Park?"

Um... apple-related, though! Looking up Waterbeach and Hardwick now. I have to get the form off today and have one more space on it.

Thanks very much!

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Nosleeptillcambridge · 04/07/2014 13:37

St Luke's? A friend's daughter goes there and really likes it.

quail · 04/07/2014 15:15

That is actually really very close to where we're going to be renting. I think we're going to put that third.

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Nosleeptillcambridge · 04/07/2014 15:41

33 in year 3/4 next year at GG - just had class lists.

Nosleeptillcambridge · 04/07/2014 15:42

In each class I mean to say, ie 33 x 2.

quail · 04/07/2014 16:39

Well that's that out, then. Thanks for the info.

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