relocating to Buckinghamshire

[Nick13]

Dear Mums. We are returning from Hong Kong in the summer and I need to find school places for my 7 year old twins and 11 year old daughter. I hope to relocate to the Marlow/Great Missenden/surrounding area but don't want to make a mistake regarding schools. I am overwhelmed with internet information and wonder if anyone out there has done this and can give me some advice on how to get started. Thanks

I live in South Bucks, and the two things that pop out at me from your post is that Great Missenden is smack in the middle of the proposed HS2 rail line (although it won't start for a few years and property prices have dropped), and that you need to get in urgent touch with Bucks county council about your 11 year old daughter. Bucks has a selective secondary system, and 10 year olds in the county will have taken the 11 plus last September to determine whether they should go to grammar school or secondary modern. The first round of place allocations has already happened.

Maybe post on the local Mumsnet board for detailed advice on the individual areas? I know the primary school in Gt Miss is well thought of (as are most primary schools around here), but I don't think Foxes Pieces in Marlow has a great reputation, and a friend who has children at St Peter's (a catholic school) isn't happy with it. But this is all second-hand so I'd advise you to get first-hand advice.

Good luck! Was in Marlow a few days ago and thought how lovely it would be to live there.

You need to contact Bucks CC urgently about late application 11+. There will be few places left. This might dictate where you live if DD can get in to. Grammar school, but few will have a spare place. Some of the secondary schools are not good, but Misbourne in Gt Missenden is good again after a blip. You will also find the good primary schools are full. You need a combined or junior school for your twins so again ask Bucks CC where there are vacancies as in year 3 children are just starting in the junior schools. I would be surprised if Gt Missenden Combined had two places in year 3 next September.

Thank you for the advice. I shall contact BCC. It is such a minefield! I don't have an address and will not be able to rent anywhere until July. hopefully I can get school places but I know that it won't be easy. Great Missenden sounds like a good option. I don't know the town but I went to Dr Challoners (a very long time ago)