Primary school help in Manchester please

[JellyBellies]

Hi, we live in Manchester but are not currently in a good school area. DS1 will be 3 in March. We are looking to move to an area with good primary schools (currently renting so its not too big a move) As i understand it, we have to register him for a school place the September before he turns 4, is that right? So we would have to move by September this year?

Also, would like to know what the good school areas are please, we do not have any other restrictions like work,etc as we both work from home.

Thanks for reading!

Oops, sorry! no idea how that appeared in Bold!!

Trafford is good. But for secondary it has the 11+, so I don't know if you like that.

Admissions are Jan for that September entry.

So apply by Jan 2013 for admission age 4 in Sept 2013.

Are you looking to rent? Do you have any other requirements than schools?

I live in Trafford and have knowledge of some primary schools around Urmston/Chorlton/Stretford/Sale - my DS started school last September and like you researched into areas for good schools. Which area of Manchester are you living in?

Chorlton Park is great. Ofstead It's massive though.

The Heatons in Stockport has some excellent primaries and a secondary school which got "outstanding" in last year's Ofsted.

Hi, thank you for all your replies!

albachiara - not sure what the 11+ is, sorry! is it like an entrance exam for secondary schools?

dixie - Thanks! that gives us more time, so good to know.

Rilla - yes, we are looking to rent for the foreseeable future. Other requirements would be affordable rent and hopefully not too cramped living space. Have 2 DCs - DS1 nearly 3 and DS2 7 months. DH works from home as do I 3 days a week. And the kids are at home with the nanny! though she does take them out. So Ideally we would like a place with atleast 3 bedrooms else we step on each toes a bit too much :)

ladybird - sounds like you have done some good research. Will be very glad to get some tips from you.

We currently live in Baguley near Wythenshawe. We live in a 3 bed semi with a large back garden and we pay 650 pcm. We love the house and our neighbours but not the schools.

We lived in whalley range a few years ago in a flat but moved as we wanted a house with garden for DCs. But now I think we might have to go back to that as rents on houses might be too high?

Acumenoop - Thanks, i have seen it, the trouble is find an nice but affordable house in chorlton ;) will look though as I do really like chorlton and surrounding areas.

Clawdy - Thanks, hadn't considered stockport but will do now!

Ooh, the other thing I want to know is, is there anyway to make sure that we fall into the catchment area of a particular school? so for example Chorlton park, how do I know if I house I am looking to rent is within the school's catchment?

If you live in Wythenshawe now you should consider hopping over to Sale -more expensive, but a lovely area with good schools. Basically half the secondary schools have entrance exams in T rafford, it used to be one exam for all of them (the 11+) but the government banned that, so now they have to sit an exam for every school they want to apply to - unless you are happy for them to go to the non-selective schools. This means that Trafford has the best exam results in the north.

I live in the Urmston area and nearly all the primaries are outstanding (apart from the one my DDs go to!) Don't really know about other areas. Rent on a cheap 3 bed semi would be about £600 a month. I like my neighbours too.

You can ring up the council in Trafford and ask which is the catchment school for a particular street - I have a friend who did this.

All very well raving about Trafford's wonderful grammar schools and results...but nobody can guarantee their children will pass those exams.

I don't know where in Baguley you are but I think Sandilands primary school is fairly good...

About Trafford: Welllington School is not a Grammar school, but it should be good. So maybe looking for something in its catchment, in case the Grammar entrance exam doesn't go well.

I live in Urmston/Flixton and my DS will be starting school Sep 2013 also. I would highly recommend this area as great for families, lots of great parks, toddler groups etc and as far as I know Schools have good reputation.
I would advise to move into Trafford for schools as have the choice of Grammar should you wish or great non selective secondary also. (avoid Chorlton in my experience!)
This is Mummy Pig-be interested in any information or advise you gained regarding Primarys, we are in the catchment for Flixton and English Martyrs and just about to start some research!! Thanks.