Trafford Infant Schools - should I bother?

[daphine2004]

Hello, we are seriously considering moving to Sale so that we can fall into the catchment of outstanding schools. Our DS will be going into reception. However, we are unlikely to complete before the 15th Jan (currently renting) and it will end up being considered as a late application.

This is a hugely over subscribed area and we are considering staying where we are. I have read loads on people not getting in and appeals are not likely to be upheld due to legislation in class sizes.

Is it with taking the risk? I have read that others, even with on time applications haven’t been offered a place at all with four choices in that LA.

So I am looking for past experiences to decide if it is worth the bother and stress to buy there when we there’s all of the other issues!

Thanks.

Where are you now?

Where do you live now? What are the local schools like? Can I ask you a personal question why are you considering moving if you say it’s a oversubscribed area?

So we live in Salford and the primaries are generally decent (as they are everywhere), but we have friends in Sale/Altrincham and the schools are outstanding on the whole. This also includes the secondary schools too.

It will also seem really shit, but I feel if there was a place over in Sale he would be pushed more so academically than at the current school.

Everyone seems to say it’s always education, that should come first and I’m worried about messing up the life by making the wrong decision!!

Oh for goodness sake. Your best bet is to not get involved in the school hysteria. Make a choice and stick to your guns. FWIW my in laws live in Sale. OH and the family all product of the Trafford grammar machine. It’s not all that. Calm down.

Hi. I live in sale and work in children's services in salford.
Whilst the schools in Sale are good there are equally excellent ones in Salford, i think the issue is more when you come to high school, friends in salford are really struggling to decide on a high school.

My youngest is in yr 1 in a primary which is historically a grammar feeder and usually ranks second in the locality. In her class are a number of out of catchment (and even out of authority) children. Since the recent increase in primary places in sale the over subscription issue has calmed a little.

If you're moving for schools then id say don't get worked up. If you'd be moving anyway, they will find you a school place and then you'd have to wait for your catchment school. Both my kids have had a number of new kids start since theyve been in school so places do come up.

You wont get in on appeal, even the argument of siblings in different schools didn't get an acquaintance her preferred school on appeal.

So really my advice would be, move if you want to live in trafford and schooling will sort itself out.

Can you sell up and rent within catchment?

Quickly become a Catholic?

Find an undersubscribed primary in Trafford that you like? (A freedom of information request may help here).

Thanks for your replies.

You’re right about the primaries and depending on where in salford you live you can access some excellent primaries, but it is the secondaries which is the issue! I know these things can change over time, so we will have to see.

Yes. Equally they can change here. The no go comp here 5 yr ago is now on the up and the one people moved catchments to get into is getting worse. Move when its right for your family not now in a rush,, primary school will sort itself out x

move and rent in the catchment. then keep looking for the right house?

@twopointfourmonkeys I quite like the look of Tyntesfield and have friends whose kids have done well and are doing well now. I haven’t been to visit yet either.

We have discounted Brooklands as it’s outside of the catchment of the area we are looking at. Trying to stay wishing the catchment for primaries and secondaries so we have a lot of options in the future. I know that catchments change too.

Which ones aren’t doing as well and which is on the up?

Posted and missed out the secondary of Ashton. So basically looking at all secondary options too. I am aware that there would be tutoring required if the grammars were a route we decided to go down. Obviously depends on ability, but it’s good to have the options.

Sale high has recently had a change of leadership and last year had better results than Ashton. Altrincham college is also good at the moment.

I think Tyntesfield was under subscribed last year ... Don't take that as gospel though as I only heard it in passing.