We are moving to Oxford/surrounds and need recommendations for good schools

[Zelds]

We are moving to Oxford/surrounds in July 2014 from South Africa. My husband will be based in Oxford. We want to settle no further than half an hour by train from Oxford. Have an 8 year old and 6 year old so need recommendations of good schools in the area. Please help!

In that area, a lot is going to ride on your budget...

Combe is easily commutable by train to Oxford and has a good primary school.

Presumably you DH needs to get into the city centre if he needs the train? Oxford is on 3 train lines - children, countrywide (???) and first great western which is a mainline service. If you google you can look at where the lines go.

state or private?

Have you ruled out living in Oxford itself? It's likely to be the best option from the point of view of your husband's commute to work, but less good for schools as most of the city schools are full to bursting. You could try contacting Oxfordshire County Council's school admissions team to see which schools have spare places for Sept and then start looking for a property to buy or rent in those areas. From the north, Banbury and Bicester are on the train line (though Bicester currently closed as track is upgraded), from the west Charlbury/Long Hanborough and from the south, Didcot. Quite a few large towns (e.g. Abingdon, Witney and Thame) don't have train stations, but do have a choice of several primary schools.

Good schools in Abingdon - 5 miles south, bikeable to city centre or train from radley (10mins). Drive in 10mins (out of rush hour).

I agree with UKsounding that it would be useful if you could give us an indication of your budget and size of house you're hoping to buy/rent. Prices in and around Oxford vary a lot, so no point suggesting areas that would be out of budget.

There is a good bus service too.