Move to be closer to family- within half hour commute to Emersons Green-Help me work this out

[Poppetoverthinks]

Hi, we are looking to move from Kent (DH hates where we are) he is far too used to working in the City and thinks everyone here is very white van man mentality also it would be awesome to be closer to family in Bristol ( Emersons Green). We are moving from a largish new build estate typically noisy etc so probably not something we would like to go for again . DC goes to a local village school- 30 in each year so this has a very village feel, every one knows everyone else and secondary schools are either Grammar schools, have Grammar streams or are Good-Outstanding! I must say I am a bit panicky having read about the Secondary school situation in Bristol . So I need to pick your brains..I've already explored Emersons Green, the two popular primary schools have no places so I would have to travel to a school in Mangotsfield that has a place at the moment. However, I don't know if I want to be on large estate again. Are there any nice villages around that are no more than half hour from Emersons green so I could visit family easily?What are the Primary and most importantly Secondary schools like in the areas you suggest? I have heard Thornbury and Alvestone mentioned but know nothing about what they offer etc. Basically, I want to move to somewhere my DC will be able to go to a decent school/s be able to do clubs, swimming, Cubs etc. Things for my baby to do baby groups/ nursery but also like the idea of a more villages feel parks, countryside and coffee shops ha ha..I'm confused help!

Anyone please?

I'm no expert on the area, but from Emersons Green outwards you are in South Gloucestershire, rather than Bristol. My understanding is that the secondary schools should be less of a problem (know nothing about the primary schools, sorry).

You could look at Keynsham as a starting place. Wellsway school is very good - you'd need to live on that side of the town. Not a charming village, but lots of amenities locally and Bath and Bristol only a short drive away. Thornbury is very similar. More charm than Keynsham, schools fairly similar in quality but further from Emersons. Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell nice as well. Secondary school always been good until recent Ofsted when it got a bit of a slating - however it will be the proverbial kick it needs and within a couple of years I am sure it will have returned to being 'good'. Still gets good results now - just guilty of coasting with their above average intake.

Pucklechurch has a village feel but is close to Emerson's green and walkable to neighbouring places where there are more shops and cafés etc. as is downend. All these places are south glos so the schools may have better results than the bristol schools nearby. The school in pucklechurch is very good apparently. As are the schools in neighbouring areas of downend.

Yate and Chipping Sodbury are 15 mins from Emersons.

good schools - both primary and secondary.