South Cambridgeshire/Essex primary schools

[Chaosonthehorizon]

We are currently in an area in london with outstanding schools but want to move for various reasons. Unlikely to be able to move in time for a reception 2021 start for number 2 as have DT’s arriving next year. Planning to target outstanding/(very) good schools (visit etc etc) but is there ever any movement in reception-year 2. Having kittens at the thought of the two eldest in a less than ideal school, a drive apart (but starting at the same time) and coping with DT’s as well. Have no idea how to navigate this. One child will be starting reception in 2021 and the other year 2. Any recommendations would be good too. We want a better quality of life for our children but not to compromise their education. In the end we will sell our house but we could possibly rent and rent. Thinking it might be better for a child to start a new school year 2 and life to start in September so to do that for 2021 we would need to be in place by June 2021 but actually Jan 2021 for the reception child. The logistics just totally daunt me! Thanks

Are the Cambridge private schools an option for senior school? There are plenty of children who commute en masse from the train stations, Audley End, Great Chesterford, Whittlesford etc. You could build a house in one of the villages, go to the village primary and see how things are looking school-wise when the children reach secondary school age.

@EmmaGrundyForPM

I may just go out and do loops of the village.....

SWCharlie in an ideal world yes so we do want the option of being able to get to them, hence my concern about being west of Cambridge with no train. I don’t know where I will be working as currently on a career break but I won’t be able to do school runs as well, that I do know! Probability is that I will work in Cambridge and they will need to get to school under their own steam.

Then from South Cambs I would recommend Newport, Great Chesterford, Whittlesford and Great Shelford for an easy life. All with walking/cycling distance of a station. From Whittlesford to Cambridge it takes my son 7 mins on the train and about the same walking to Hills Rd at the other end. Saffron Walden is served by Audley End station which is out of town and an additional car or bus journey is needed. The state secondary schools finish at 3.15/3.20pm but the Cambridge schools not until 4pm. It makes for a long day without the additional travelling time.

We also need to consider secondary and sixth form (long term move) so interested in views on saffron Walden county high, comberton village college, hills road sixth form

Well, I'm all for long-term planning, but if your children are only 4 and 6/7, honestly you are asking people to guess what they think various schools will be like in 10-14 years' time!

Every local school I know has had at least one change of head in the past 10 years. Some have expanded, one closed down, some turned into academy trusts and so on. Comberton only built its sixth form about 8 years ago (DS went there on faith, when it had no track record yet). A lot could change before your children need a sixth form.

I'd look for decent primary schools and good transport links (Great Shelford is nice if you can afford it), then worry about the rest later.