Help - primary/secondary schools - Eynsham & Faringdon?

[howabouthisthen]

Been trying to work out a relocation for some months (oh how I could rant about that ). Getting v close to decision time now... Looks like it might be coming down to a choice between Eynsham and Faringdon.

DH and I are weighing up the pros and cons of each, and Eynsham is currently on top. Seems like it has a great secondary school. But am very concerned at what I've read/heard about Eynsham primary: i.e. consistently in special measures or requiring improvement, for some years now.

So i've got 3 questions...

1. Advice on Eynsham primary please!

I just don't get it - the school looks nice on its website, seems to have great facilities, ... so what's the issue with constant poor performance?

I know the limits of relying on websites and Ofsted reports and wondered if any of you who know Eynsham/have kids at the school (or chose to avoid it !) could give me some advice?

Someone explained to me that the building is really weird (all years in one big room with learning pods off it?), and that some kids may struggle to focus in that unusual setting. I'm worried that one of my DC will indeed struggle and get v distracted - and would only be there for the horrible SATS year so don't want to mess that up for DC by choosing badly. There are still kids going there so I'm hoping it can't be all bad?

Or, if it's really not great, what are the other options (and likelihood of getting a place?)? My DC would be moving either mid-year or at start of Y6 and Y3, so we need to decide soon to be sure we're there by September.

Would it be bonkers to commute from Eynsham to Oxford to a good primary if the smaller village schools are all full? I've heard of pupils commuting from Oxford>Eynsham for the secondary, so not completely mad, but then i'm wondering about the traffic making the commute v horrible if going the other way (even if avoid the A40 and take the back road).

1. Advice on Bartholomew School

Any feedback on Bartholomew from folk with kids there at the moment? I read a previous post which was helpful but wonder if there are also other views? Have heard a few 'it's not as good as it used to be' comments so wondering what people think who are at the school now.

1. Oh & if anyone has any thoughts re: Faringdon schools - or more broadly pros/cons of Faringdon / Eynsham I'd love to hear those too.

Sorry for long post, and also if it's too many questions in one. (Still a relative MN newbie so learning the ropes... )

Thanks in advance!

Eynsham is around a 12 minute drive or a 20 minute bus ride from Witney, where queen emmas primary school is located. all areas are rated 'good' by ofsted. I don't have experience with Eynsham Primary im afraid.

thanks @sleepismysuperpower!
I'll check that out. Do you think the traffic would be just as bad going to witney at school hours as it would be going to Oxford? (or is it more the other way?)

www.bucklandprimaryschool.org.uk/

is a fantastic school (near faringdon). Better then the private St. Hugh’s a short walk away.

I think it would be worse going into oxford (but i could be wrong, i haven't done it for a few years). Just realised i forgot to include secondary schools, try here. it is deemed to be 'good' in all areas by ofsted too.

all the best x

thanks both! I will check these out.

hmm, what's witney like to live in then? the indecision continues.... ??!!

Try Cogges, which has Blake's school which my children enjoyed,

Witney's a lovely town and Cogges feels quite villagy.

If you do go for commuting between Witney and Eynsham there is a back way that only takes a few minutes and is away from traffic

from what i understand, witney has more thing in it as it is a bigger place, and so there is more to do. However, they do both seem like lovely places. it might be worth looking through here and here to get an idea of the average house price. as they aren't a long commute from each other I think that if you are after a more affordable home then you could live in Eynsham but easily get to witney.

@goldenblue - that sounds really interesting, thank you (and please do let me know the back route, a top tip indeed... would you say it's safe to cycle it for adults and kids? Also, don't suppose the bus goes the quick route does it?

@sleepismysuperpower - ace, thanks. v helpful advice. will have a look at the links, cheers.

ooh i just saw St Peter's primary school in Cassington is v close to enysham. seems really lovely - anyone know about that?

How regularly would you be commuting to Oxford/London.

Both Eynsham and Faringdon would be a difficult commute to Oxford in rush hour, likewise Witney. From Eynsham you can get to Oxford parkway to get to London, from Witney either Hanborough or Charlbury stations go to London. From Faringdon I guess you would go from Didcot.

For schools you would have more choice of primary school in Witney. There are many good schools: The Batt, St. Mary's, West Witney, Madley Brook and Blake's all have a good reputation. As do the village schools in Ducklington and Hailey. I would avoid Queen Emma's, Tower Hill and Witney Community. I only know of one family with children at Eynsham Primary and they seem happy with the school. I don't know the Faringdon schools very well any more but 8 years ago they did not have a good reputation but the village schools of Longcot, Shellingford and Buckland did.

For Secondary schools, Bartholomew in Eynsham is good and friends with children there are very complimentary of it. In Witney you have a choice of two schools, Henry Box ( going through a period of flux) and Wood Green ( seems like a good school). There is also Burford School which you could consider if living in Witney.

I always felt that Faringdon was too far from Oxford and although a nice place to live we much prefer Witney. I would suggest making a list of what you would like when you move and go from there.

If you want anymore info let me know as I've lived in Witney and Faringdon.

There is a great cycle path all the way from Witney to Oxford and it runs right next to Eynsham. It's pavement quality and runs alongside the A40.

Witney has a lovely shopping centre, free parking and it's own cinema in the centre. But it has lovely green areas such as Cogges manor farm. If you have young kids I recommend getting the annual ticket.

The walking and cycling is good.

The back route between Witney and Eynsham is via South Leigh

The train to London from Long Hanborough is direct and pretty good with seats available during rush hour.

I don't live there anymore but would move back. I also lived in Eynsham and prefer Witney personally.

I third Buckland Primary. A little known gem. In the top 1% of schools in the country.

It’s not a bad commute to Oxford, there’s road, rail and buses. Best thing to do is to try it. It may be a little longer but the traffic you got is Oxford end anyway so you’ll always get it, and the countryside and value for money for housing is worth it.

I would move back in a shot.