Birmingham- advice on where to live?

[sumoweeble]

I will be a newly single parent. I have 3 kids- two older teens and a 5 year old.

We like:
city life (not villages or suburbs)
walking, good public transport, cycling (I don't drive and though intending to learn am cack handed and it will take years I expect)
the library of Birmingham
parks, museums, cafes, culture, shops
friendly people

We need:
a reasonable primary school and later a secondary school (not grammar or private)
a reasonable 6th form or college (not grammar or private)
cheap accommodation (the cheaper the better! Budget for buying is about £160,000 and I need 3 bedrooms)
Not too far to get to a train station that goes into London youngest child will need to have contact visits with her father there regularly.

Is there anywhere that fits the bill or do I need to think again?

Bournville College is one to look at then- they'll have a website. It's down in Longbridge (yes, I know, name is confusing- they moved!) but easy to get to from Stirchley.

5 y.o. will be going into year 2 (august baby). Not too worried about secondary for her just yet. Boys will be difficult though.

Historically, retakers have often gone to colleges like Matthew Boulton

www.bmetc.ac.uk/about-us/campuses/matthew-boulton-campus

I think that Matthew Boulton and South Bham College (Digbeth branch) in city centre will offer similar courses.

Or even BOA if they're musical.

www.boa-academy.co.uk

There are also a couple of Catholic schools dotted about.

All I want in a primary school is somewhere she'll make friends and have fun, really. She's doing fine academically and is all too eager to please so I think she'll be fine as long as she doesn't end up in a hellhole of bullies or something dreadful. I always think how bad can an infants school be really. Not a popular mumsnet view, I know!

BOA won't take people that need to do re-sits! They're extremely over-subscribed.

They look great! The son who is on course to fail due to being a complete lazy bananhead goes to a 14-19 school that looks quite like BOA, actually.

I will visit the podiatry clinic at Matthew Boulter! I have achey toes.

I must go to bed but I really am so so grateful for all your help and advice. Thank you. I'm feeling very excited.

BOA won't take people that need to do re-sits! They're extremely over-subscribed.

I should know that really. My daughter goes there

!
Good luck sumo.

Only just saw this but as always I will recommend Cotteridge. Slightly more family orientated than Stirchley (lots of hipsters and post-grads down there in my experience). I'm on one of the roads mentioned by a previous poster and you should get something roughly in budget around here.

Cotteridge is close to Kings Norton station, has the number 11 bus route and in catchment for Cotteridge School (primary) and Kings Norton Boys and Girls (Secondary). Beautiful park with lots going on and some handy shops. We still have to schlep to the British Oak in Stirchley for a decent pub though. Or get the train to town.

Atomic why are you so certain he isn't gong back?! As I understand it, they haven't had the hearing yet ...