moving to Oxford, any tips

[goldenpeach]

We are considering moving to Oxford, any tips on areas? My partner studied there but he doesn't have much knowledge propertywise. We visited a few times and love Summertown and Florence Park Area, any other tips? We don't have half a million to spend and times are awkward, so not sure what to go for...

Goldenpeach- not sure how old you DC are but IMO the only good state run secondary schools in Oxfordshire are Matthew Arnold, Bartolomew, Marlborough High and Woodgreen. Cherwell has got the reputation to be outstanding but doesnt seem to produce good results for GCSE compared to the above schools. (DH and SIL both went to Cherwell, both done well but both agree that wasnt down to the school but lots of time of the IL's).

Wheatley has got a good primary but Wheatley park isnt great. (we looked at buying there)

We have decided to move out of Oxford to either Eynsham or Witney as all(good) primary schools in Cumnor/Botley are full, as are most other schools in Oxford. Check with the LEA before making any offers if there are places and it is not always guaranteed that you will be getting in as most schools are heavily oversubscribed and it will then be measured on distance so the closer to the school the better chance you stand....

Witney has expanded over the last years and has a lovely town centre with more shops then Oxford and also lots of stuff for kids to do.

Abingdon is another lovely place where you will be getting more house for your money then Oxford. Drayton is also good (believe the primary is one of the best in the UK but not sure!)

Appleton - lovely lovely school with an intake of 20 a year, been an outstanding school for years and feeds into Matthew Arnolds...

Sorry to have typed such a long post but have been looking for a place now for over 10 months and finaley narrowed it down to a place where they have both good primary and secondary schools!

Thanks Vino. My DD is only two and a lot can happen before she goes to school. Will bear your advice in mind...

Hi,
I just moved to oxfordshire from London and I wonder if there are any meetings for mothers and babies born in 2009. Mine is 5 months and am looking for activities and mums-babies for coffee and chats in Oxford...

Hi se8mum - Oxford's New Parent Network (www.new-parent-network.info/) is a good source of info on groups, events etc. You can become a member for about £6.

Just to add - their website may not have lots of info on it, but their book ('Oxford for Under Eights') and their magazines are useful.

many thanks, that book is out of print! someone recommended it to me, but staff
at Waterstone´s said they´re awaiting for new edition. I met lots of people through mumsnet in London and am a member of the NCT, so hopefully will find groups.

Whereabouts in Oxford are you? If anywhere near East Oxford then Florence Park Family Centre might be a good place to go. And there's Donnington Doorstep in the same area.

It sounds like a super house, after we got 'burned' in Oxford we started looking in Cambrige and now trying to move there, that's why I haven't been on this thread for months.

I have a friend who lives there and know exactly where you are... Don't tell me it's a detached house or I will weep!

Why not start a thread in the general thread? Somebody is bound to be interested!

Would you believe it, we are back looking in Oxford! We reached the bottom of the barrel in Cambridge so we are back here. DP cannot make his mind up. Let me know when you are on rightmove tarka, although we'd prefer detached, which is a tall order.

We live in Headington, so a plug for here up the hill. 10 mins into city by bus, neighbourhood shops reasonable (more so with the recent opening of a waitrose), prices much lower than Summertown, 2 good primaries and loads going on for children.

Hi everyone, we are a family with a young son aged 3 currently living in Paris. We intend moving to Oxford next summer, we've checked all your messages about different areas to live(very interesting). We're not familiar with your estate funded school system and that's the big deal..to choose a good primary school,we estimate very much your help!

I used to live in Abingdon, and it's alovely town. Can also recommend drayton, steventon and sutton courtney in taht area. It is only a 25 min bus ride into the city centre/ rail station.

Hello,

@ Gummibaerchen: could you let me know whether you like the nursery on Marston Ferry Road please?
@ all
Hello...I have my currently 7-month old son on various waiting lists for Oxford nurseries at the moment and it would be great to know which nurseries are best out of the following in your opinions and/or what their pros/cons are.
He will start when he is 10 months old. (I wish he didn't have to, but I need to get back to work. :-/)

• Nursery at Marston Ferry Road
• St Thomas, City Centre
• University nurseries in Marston (Jack Straw's Lane and Bradmore Road)

Many thanks!
Claudia

I don't have a recommendaiton on a place to live per se - but i put together some tips on best places to visit, eat at, and other useful tips in case it's helpful at this link: www.reemsoxfordguide.com
g'luck!

Hello to everyone looking to move to Oxford. Its a great city if you overlook the traffic and overpriced housing!

Just to flag up that there is a real pressure on primary school places in the city, with many cases of people not getting into their first choice school even if they are in catchment.
Some years are especially pushed - I think primary year 2 for example is particularly bad. So, do contact the education department before you commit to move to find out where school places are available in the city.

Hi claudia, have a look at the Julia Durbin nursery on the Churchill hospital site in Headington, it's s childbase nursery and my 14 month dd loves it there! Very clean, great staff, CCTV everywhere and used by a lot of healthcare professionals!

Hi There, any opinions about Wheatley Primary? How about the town itself?
. Thanks.

Hello.
Wheatley Primary is in special measures now (recent ofsted said it doesn't push kids enough). It's an interesting school; shares a site with a special school and is v. big and vibrant-looking. I visited it as a prospective parent but went somewhere else in the end.
Town is niceish; quite a lot going on for young dc. If you want to PM me with anything, feel free!

Hi CF,
What is a special school?
also, I am looking in Botley-Cumnor area. Any opinions about Botley Primary School?
Thanks again.

Hi there,
I'm just about to start my daughter off at Summertown nursery - does your child still go? Any comments on it? I was really impressed and thinking of signing up. If you know of a parent whose child attends, please do let me know as, if nothing else, they do quite a generous recommend-a-friend deal for both parties. Thanks, :-)

If anyone does know of a parent with a child at Summertown, please could you let me know? Thanks, x