Advice please - moving from Cambridge to Oxfordshire

[JaycDeeC]

Hello - I’m really hoping for some local knowledge and practical advice. I’ve started a job in Abingdon and need to relocate to within an hour, west of the office.

If you fall into a school catchment area, can you get school transport? I grew up in the Somerset countryside and am keen for a return to a village or small town setting. OH does not drive and is not likely to learn. We have a soon to be 4 year old who will need to start school in 2022. I’ve looked at villages outside of Abingdon, Witney and as far as Marlborough to the south but I’m at a loss as to find out how we would get our son o school in the absence of someone being able to drive him. Am I going to have to look at a move to another city (Oxford) in reality? Also school grading seems baffling. I saw a lovely house in Littleworth but was warned off Faringdon schools. Any personal, practical advice very much appreciated.

hi JaycDeeC, I'm not an expert with school running optimizations, but I'm a parent who spends time delivering the children to different ends of the town%-). It is almost not possible to predict the driving time to or from school in Oxford or even more in Abingdon, there is traffic everywhere, every crazy morning, just take the google map and the school, you can roughly calculate. Also, ask the school you like, I'm sure the school will help you with the question.
I personally would recommend Chandlings, Manor, if you are asking about a private school. As for the grades, I would trust it, I often use the recommendations of people with experience, but it's up to you. Write, if you have questions about those schools.