Somerset, Surrey, Eastbourne and Southampton private schools

[knittingmachine]

Hello this is my first post in here, we, (DH and 7 year old DD) live in SW London at the moment and would like to settle in another area.

Reasons to leave,

1. We want a bigger house, the rent prices are extremely high in here so we can’t save enough. Later we would like to buy one.
2. We would like DD to go a private school, we can’t afford high rents and school fees together. Now we are spending all the budget to rent.
3. We don’t need to live here, no family bounds and we are both working from home.
4. My DD isn’t happy with his school, there is a bully after her. School doesn’t do much.

The areas that come to our minds are Somerset and Eastbourne. I know they are very different but these are the places that we can afford a big house and both areas have wonderful private schools. We can think about for Surrey as well but budget is important. We can’t save like we save in Eastbourne or Somerset.

We are a minority so diversity is important. Which one is better? Do you have any suggestions?

Also we have friends in Southampton and they want us to move there but I couldn’t find a good prep school in Southampton like Millfield or Wells Cathedral in Somerset or St Andrews (E. College) and Bede’s in Eastbourne . Can you please suggest one if you know any? DD is very academic she likes maths and she is into music.

Thank you all.

I'm not that familiar with the area but for Southampton you need to look at the Hampshire schools like
Embley and Bedales. There are also the more academic schools around Winchester and Winchester has 1 of the best state 6th forms in the U.K. - Peter Symonds that feeds from all
over that area.

I would add that Wells Cathedral, Millfield and Bedales are all unique schools that attract dc from all around the U.K. for their individual selling points.

Bedes in Eastbourne has a large international boarding element. You really need to choose carefully before selecting 1 of these schools and basing a house move on it. And you need another schooling option in the area in case it doesn't work out.

Are you sure you done want to move to Sutton and have the choice of 2 grammar schools?

@sunshineclouds24

Are you sure you done want to move to Sutton and have the choice of 2 grammar schools?

You are right and this is our another concern. Thank you for your answers.

We visited these 4 schools and really impressed by them also DD like them a lot. The big houses and the schools attract us but on the other hand we are going to leave London and that is a hard decision to make.

I will check the schools in Hampshire, thank you so much.

Visit the schools and make notes. Talk to staff and pupils, watch a lesson on a normal day as well. Get as much as information as possible.