Schools/Places to live in West Sussex area

[peppapigsservant]

Hi

My DH is relocating to Chichester for work sometime in the second half of 2012. Our two DCs are currently both pre-school but one of them will need to start school in 2013.

We would have preferred to rent for 6 months to get a feel for the West Sussex area but have realised we might need to buy since the rental market is almost non existent. We'd prefer that DH not have to commute too far to get in to work and similarly I'd prefer not to have to ferry the DCs too far to school.

We're happy to consider private and state schools. People have recommended Westbourne House and Oakwood prep schools but does anybody else have any other ideas for schools or nice areas to live?

Thanks

Dh lived in Fishbourne for 2.5 years and i absolutely loved it there (dh not so keen as i was in london at the time!) There is a school beside the roman palace which, at the time, was meant to be quite good (address is ? Roman Way) and Bosham is only a couple of miles down the road (lovely to go for a wander in the summer).

Chichester itself is very near - dh's office was near the theatre and it was a half hour walk from home.

Hth!

Its quite a some time ago but I was a nanny in Rogate which is near Petersfield. All the children went to Westbourne House which was a fantastic school then. It is a really lovely area and Chichester is a nice town. Lots of lovely villages but involves some driving. I think you are wise to rent first so you can get a feel for the area.