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Original poster

Where should we move to in Wiltshire?

21 replies

squadrasandd · 08/03/2015 17:02

Hi Wiltshire Mums

We are moving back to the UK this summer after 6 years of living abroad. Our son is going into Year 6 this September and we are keen to get him a year in a UK primary before the dauting entry to secondary school!

So far, basically due to houseprices vs goodschools we are looking at Chippenham (and villages), Corsham and Melksham.

I would really appreciate your views as I have no idea of where would be best!

I would like to know what you think of Sheldon and Hardenhuish (Chippenham), Corsham Secondary school and also Melksham Oak?

Appreciate any advice...

PS My hubby will work from home/client site so we could be based anywhere in Wiltshire so any other ideas are appreciated, bearing in mind we would like a nice 4-bed house....

Thanks

OP posts:

cowbiscuits74 · 13/03/2015 15:16

Hi squad, we are moving back this summer after 10 years abroad and have selected Chippenham & villages too so will be interested to read responses.

My DCs are younger but we plan on staying there through high school, seems you will have the pick of good schools whereas over in Bristol where we were originally looking it is very dire indeed for secondaries and like you say great house prices compared to other parts of the UK, I am spending many an evening on rightmove at the moment....

Original poster

squadrasandd · 13/03/2015 16:22

Thanks for writing...lets hope we get some local info fedback. Yes, indeed, Rightmove is my main evening entertainment now too...house prices are good but there is not a lot of choice! I visited Sheldon in Chippenham recently and I was highly impressed. Also visited Ivy Lane primary which was great and I would consider it for sure (if we live somewhere that I can walk as it has no drop off area). All the best and watch this space...

OP posts:

cowbiscuits74 · 16/03/2015 14:07

squad bumping for you, also try posting in Chat, gets more traffic

Original poster

squadrasandd · 16/03/2015 14:22

thanks will do :)

OP posts:

ChalkyWhiteHorsey · 16/03/2015 15:46

Hello

I have 1 DC in Y7 at Sheldon school in Chippenham. We are very happy with it (so far). The teachers have been available for queries and any concerns.

I have friends with DC at Hardenhuish, I haven't heard any complaints.

Abbeyfield was not a great school when we moved to Chippenham, but seems much improved!

I have friends in Bristol and they are having a nightmare re schools. I liked Bristol a lot, but glad we didn't move there!

ChalkyWhiteHorsey · 16/03/2015 15:51

Corsham is lovely, but we didn't want to be constantly driving the DC around, so Chippenham seemed a good choice.

We walk to school, swimming, library, cinema and shops. The train station is close with easy access to London, Bath & Bristol.

Original poster

squadrasandd · 16/03/2015 16:37

Hi CWH

Thank you so much for the info. We are coming over in the hols to look for houses, so its great to hear your views.

When you say Corsham is lovely, do you mean the town or the school? And do you know much about the school?

I would choose Chippenham and villages at the drop of a hat but we dont see a lot of houses for sale...

Glad your child likes Sheldon - I was really impressed. By the way, I am new to mumsnet -what does DC actually mean??

Thanks

OP posts:

ChalkyWhiteHorsey · 16/03/2015 18:11

Corsham Town is lovely. I know nothing about the school They have an excellent prep school, but obviously that's ££££s

This location is excellent with regards to schools, access to amenities etc
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48593503.html

What sort of budget are you looking at?

I have a DS going into Y6 in September too!

DC (dear/darling child/children)

Hi cowbiscuits! How are you?

cowbiscuits74 · 16/03/2015 18:34

Hi Chalky am good thanks, still stalking the Wiltshire board as you can see . Once squad and I are there it should triple the Chippenham contingent, seems like you are the only one at present!

I sent you a long rambling PM last week when you get a chance to take a look, was slightly hysterical at the time so feel free to ignore. DH will be over next month, wish I was coming too.

squad I had response to one of my postings by LetTherebeCupcakes, she is in Corsham so maybe if you start a thread and mention Corsham she will see it.

I do like the look of it online but also the idea of walking to town, station, shops, library etc appeals too - decisions, decisions!

ChalkyWhiteHorsey · 16/03/2015 18:53

I can't be the only Chippenham MNetter, can I ?

Glad you're okay.

Will look for your PM

ChalkyWhiteHorsey · 16/03/2015 19:03

Cowbiscuits found you in my junk folder

Will answer after I've put the DC to bed

ruralandcrafty · 20/04/2015 11:55

We have lived in Biddestone, between Chippenham and Corsham for 14 years. My three children went to Heywood Prep in Corsham, which is an excellent school. However, my older two are now at Sheldon, which is an extremely good state school. It sits side by side with Hardenhuish. Again I know lots of people with children there who are very happy with it. Around here they say you can't lose.

cowbiscuits74 · 20/04/2015 16:41

rural that is good to know thanks, have seen a few rentals on RightMove in Biddestone. Really does seem to tick all boxes and a well kept secret which is fine by us. Is there anything we should know about Gastard? I got the impression it is a small village but seems to have an awful lot of property for rent and sale at the moment for its size.

DH was over this week and v happy that Chippenham and surrounding area meets with out criteria and expectations which is good as only viewed from afar up until then.

squad how are you getting on with your search?

ruralandcrafty · 22/04/2015 20:03

Gastard is small, and runs along either side of the Corsham/Melksham road. Biddestone is very pretty, and lovely community, but it has no shop, so if you are out of milk, it means jumping in the car. Neston is another pretty village, very close to Corsham. Actually, there are loads of pretty villages! Marshfield, Colerne and Box are all nice and big enough to have shops. And then there are lots of smaller villages too. How old are you children? Corsham Primary is rated Outstanding and Heywood Prep is the Sunday Times's top prep school in the South West, although it's much cheaper than any of the Bath independents.

cowbiscuits74 · 22/04/2015 20:22

squad sorry for the mini-hijack of your thread

rural thanks for advising re: Gastard, sounds like there are loads of villages to choose from although I would be happy living in or nearer town for the convenience, will be dictated by rental properties at first though, not going to buy for 6-12 months but that does not stop us looking on Rightmove though! There are some lovely looking houses in and around Chippenham.

We weren't planning on private school but if we can't get places then would consider it, will have to wait until nearer the time to see which schools have places. Will need Reception and Y3.

So good to know about secondaries which you posted about on the other thread earlier, I saw Hardenhuish was in Tatler too. So good to have two good ones and the dilemma of choosing which one rather than having to pick the best of the worst

ruralandcrafty · 23/04/2015 11:05

I'll just throw in here that Heywood Prep runs a Year 3 scholarship programme of up to 50%. If your child is going into Year 3 in September, he/she may qualify. I know you are not thinking independent schools, but it is fab. There's about a 60:40 split of children going on to independent senior schools, and into the state system, as we did. www.heywoodprep.com

cowbiscuits74 · 23/04/2015 14:32

rural thanks had a look at the website yesterday, prices do look reasonable, roughly what we are paying now as in a country where ex-pats have to go private. We were looking at Bristol originally and the private fees there are much higher, I guess it is supply and demand.

The big draw of private for us is the out of school & holiday care, do you use the afterschool and summer holiday camps? I just don't know how I could work otherwise, especially during the holidays as we won't have any help. DH is over again next week so going to arrange a visit so we have as a back-up if we don't get places in a Gov school.

ruralandcrafty · 25/04/2015 23:20

cowbiscuits They do run holiday clubs which seem to be popular, but I've never used them. My job is flexible and part time, so I can juggle the holidays. I occasionally use the after school care. They have loads of extra curricular clubs too, most of which finish at about 4.45, and children often go from, say, lego robotics or cricket club to after school club until they get picked up.

cowbiscuits74 · 27/04/2015 19:29

rural thanks, the clubs look good. Sounds like you have the holy grail of flexible and part time work - can I ask what profession? If you'd rather not say no worries, I am just working out how I can manage to work full time if I can't find a flexible role, might have to temp but not ideal ( am an accountant in financial services right now). Thx

ruralandcrafty · 28/04/2015 12:37

I am a freelance marketing person, mostly for small businesses that can't afford a full-time marketing bod. It is a holy grail! Jobs that women can practically fit around children are like hen's teeth. You can either earn minimum wage doing shifts in a supermarket, or work as a TA or something similar in a school so you get the holidays. So my work is flexible, and I can usually take it with me, but I often work late at night after the children are in bed. It's amazing what you can get done between 10pm and 2am!

cowbiscuits74 · 28/04/2015 15:23

rural thanks yes facing exactly that, either keep on with full time and get a childminder or take a part time book keeping job so I can fill in the childcare. Could not teach, have thought about it but not for me which is a shame. 2am! the things we Mums do hey? cheers

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