Moving to Norwich

[lolafreeman]

Hi, I'm new to this so sorry if I'm writing in wrong place.................
Due to my husbands job we are moving to Norwich and as I do not know the area at all I am hoping someone out there can tell me the nice places to live with friendly primary schools, I have 2 beautiful girls 4 and 6 who will be going into yr 1 & 2 in september? Thanks ( I've been told Hellesdon is nice?) x :o)

Old Catton, Sprowston, Thorpe St Andrew or just on the outskirts is Poringland, Brundall, Blofield - all of these are lovely spots of Norwich!!

I grew up in south norwich, then just south of the city but in the country - lovely area, though lots of other nice parts. haven't been to primary school there for over 15 years obviously so am very unhelpful, but it's a lovely place to grow up

I live in central norwich with a 7 year old d now in Y2 and have been here for 12 years. Best schools in town are Recreation Road and St Johns (though daughters would need to be Catholic for this one). You need to be in the catchment area for recreation road and it's oversubscribed. St John's has fantastic pastoral care and focus on art. Colman is also good - have friends with kids there - that's just west of city.
There's also a Steiner School if you are interested which is in Lakeham, South City.
There are several to avoid, so check out the Ofsted's - they're pretty accurate. Norwich is interesting as it has very patchy education - you need to get it right. If you can come and hang around some school gates (without looking dodgy)early am or pm you'll get the best idea of the school - I found out that way I HAD to avoid my catchment area school due to parents cursing their kids or smoking on the way to school, which I couldn't stand to be around.
We've had to do our school choices for the council already, so I think you should get this sorted asap.

Norwich is a fine city! It's really friendly and if you make some effort with the mums and get to know the few key places for kids socialising you'll find someone to say hi to every time you go into town shopping! Try the Forum library for reading time with the kids, Inspire, Gressenhall Rural Life Museum, Playbarn, Dragon Hall, Norwich Castle and don't forget the fab Bewilderwood plus easy access to some of the best beaches in the UK all summer long. There's some great parks too - Eaton park playground, Earlham park is huge, and sloughbottom has great bike ramps for them to gain confidence on. You'll have a great time!

Hellesdon is OK but there are better areas. The area known as the Golden Triangle is the nicest (and therefore priciest) part of the city. South of the city (Eaton, Cringleford) is nice too. Don't know any local schools except Norwich High School for Girls (which is lovely) but a friend sent her DC to Avenues which they really liked. St Thomas More (RC) is also very good.