Moving to Sutton Coldfield from Surrey!

[PetiteMum]

Hello, I would be most grateful for your help. Hubby and I are thinking of moving to the Midlands, in the hope of finding somewhere to live where there are good primary and secondary schools. DS is in yr 2 (private school in Surrey) and DD is almost 3 so will be needing a primary for her also.

We are sick of living in a tiny house so we can pay for school fees, and are hoping we will get more for our money in the Midlands. We work from home so that is not a restraint. Research online is leading me to believe a house within postcode B73 might be a good bet? Is it easy to get into the good primary and secondaries in that area? Or should we expect to move again for secondary school?

Any help greatly appreciated. Also, we are open to looking at other areas, but literally don't know where to look lol!

Bollocks

Maney Hill Primary catchment

Possible catchment for Maney, Boldmere

Maney again

Boldmere

Maney, Holland House

Maney, Boldmere could be touch and go for both

Im in Four Oaks and both my boys were/are at Arthur Terry. The catchment area is very tight. I live 0.7 miles away and the year that DS2 got in (2014) just 300 metres more out and we wouldnt have got a place. Its an outstanding school in every sense of the word and has a learning partnership with local primary schools.
We moved over this way in 2011 specifically to get into Arthur Terry- at the time Mere Green Combined was in Notice to Improve and was the only local primary with two places available for different age kids.
I was a bit hesitant at first but the headmistress really turned the school around and they got Outstanding last year - oversubscribed now!

Houses are more £££ over this way but I think the local area is such a pull alongside the schools. The Mere Green shopping area is being completely redeveloped and due to open over the next coming months.

I love it over here. DD goes to little sutton nursery and I hope to get her into that school or Moor Hall.

Tiredemma- my BIL lives v close to you I think, and his DD did v well at AT. They really like Four Oaks- it's got everything you need, but very easy to get to other places too.

This one is close enough for AT, and to get into Mere Green Primary

This one is in catchment for AT and also for Four Oaks Primary (sorry- I don't know how good it is in the flesh, it has a outstanding from ofsted) Quite close to the park too.

This one is cheaper, but only 3-bed but is in catchment for Mere Green Primary as well as AT.

Lots of 80s housing up there!

We live in Four Oaks. My youngest DD is year 4 at Four Oaks Primary. My eldest DD IS year 10 at Queen Mary's High School in Walsall. She also went to Four Oaks. She did very well while there. OFSTED reports are usually Outstanding.. it is a very good school. I work at Hill West at lunchtimes, it also does very well in OFSTED.

Hi, don't know if any of you will pick up on this again if there's a new comment, but how did you get on PetiteMum?? I'm in the process of doing a similar move and this thread has been helpful! Are there any tips that you learned that would be helpful? Is the issue with primary school place still as much of an issue? I will have to make a late application :( We are looking at Four Oaks/AT catchment or Boldmere. Thanks if anyone read this!!

Hi Bex. I'm in Boldmere if you want to PMme

I'm in four oaks x

Yes would be good to know how they got on. I'm in mere green / four oaks. Ds is now at hill west school and loves it.

Hello,I am looking at Mere Green Primary in Sutton Coldfield and Manor primary,which one would you recommed please.Mere Green is a bit far but has Outstanding Ofsted report,any feedback is Welcome

I’d look at catchments - mere green has a good reputation but depending on how far away you might not get a place