From Oz to Harrogate

[jackiepars]

Hi local mums.
I'm looking for your expertise on areas to move to around Harrogate. I know this topic comes up quite regularly...
We are originally from Glasgow and currently in Melbourne Australia. We plan to return to the UK in May 2017 for our DD starting school in September 2017. We plan to move to the Harrogate area. My husband's family are in Leeds which is a factor, but the schooling options also play a major part.
We have moved around a fair bit and want our next move to be our final one. So, we need to get it right.
A bit of background...my husband keen on scenery but still with some amenities. I'm a city girl at heart and love the buzz of Leeds so i don't want to feel too isolated. Also we have two young kids and want them to be able to get around as they get older.
My initial thoughts are Pannal as its on a train line so Leeds is reachable easily and Harrogate so close too. But do Pannal kids get into a great secondary school? Can they get into HGS? or is Rosset as good?
My husband is a doctor and hopes to get work in either Harrogate or Leeds and I'm a paediatric dietitian hoping for Leeds (although this will be after getting DD settled in at school).
are there other areas we should be looking at??
The other complicating factor is that we have to apply to schools whilst we are still in Oz!! So, i think i'll just have to choose a few and hope we can find a rental there... Hard to know how else to do it really!
Anyway, i know it won't all come together at once but any tips you can give on areas which may suit us would be hugely helpful!
Many Thanks

Hi Jackie, I live in Harrogate. Pannal primary is a lovely school but I am not sure you can apply until you have an address in catchment. It is very popular.

Rosset is a very good secondary and is improving, the kids I know who go there are thriving. If you chose to rent close to the hornbeam park station you would have Oatlands as a primary (consistently outstanding) and a chance to get into St Aidens for secondary (fantastic school). It is about five extra mins on the train and less rural but your takeaways will still be hot, whereas Pannal is more of a village.

I like Harrogate but bustling metropolis it isn't, if you chose to live in Leeds the house price difference would probably pay for private school!

Thanks Trice! I can't see my hubs going for anything more urban than Pannal although he may change his mind when he can't walk for a beer :)
I'm just hoping i can find a rental there when we get back next year.
Do folk have any thoughts on other villages south of harrogate? Are Beckwithshaw and Hampthswaite nice? I know these are north but still in HGS catchment i believe...