Advice please: moving to Rugby and need to find a primary school

[MovingtoRugby]

A new job means the family is moving to Rugby, Warwickshire in August 2022 😀.

I don't know the area and so would love some recommendations for primary schools close to Rugby School. 🙏

Have a son going into year 5 and a daughter going into year 1.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Independent or state school? The town's primary schools are quite oversubscribed, you'll have to contact your nearest ones to ask if there are spaces.

@coffeeiwish - probably state. At the moment I have St Marie's, Oakfield, St Matthews, and Rokeby on my list. Not sure if there are others I need to add?

You'll likely only get into the one closest to where you live.

St Marie's is catholic. So if you'd prefer that I'd contact them directly.

The villages of Clifton and Dunchurch have popular primary schools and the hillmorton ones are highly rated. There are lots of schools in Rugby. St Marie's is closest to Rugby school would have thought. Good luck!

@coffeeiwish Thanks for the posts. I'll contact the LA and see what happens.

There are a few nice primary schools in the surrounding villages - Dunchurch, Clifton, Barby, and Kilsby.

Thanks @Margot78 . Do you have any inside info regarding the primary schools in Rugby itself? Perhaps regarding the schools I listed earlier..

With a year 5 child I would focus on secondary school catchment areas. With the grammar schools taking the cream of the crop, some of the non grammar schools aren't that great so do consider where you want your DC to end up if they don't pass the eleven plus.

Thanks @ThePoetsWife I don't suppose you can list some of the more popular secondary schools in Rugby?

@MovingtoRugby ashlawn is most popular. Are you considering 11+?

Thanks @crabcakesalad . I haven't figured out the 11+ scenario yet. Need to do some research.

Regarding a primary school, I phoned the LA and they told me I shouldn't apply for a September starting place until June 7. Does that sound right?

I'm not sure re timing, I'd speak to the school you want and see if they expect to have spaces for next year. Are you going to visit a few?

@crabcakesalad Unfortunately I don't think I'm going to be able to as I currently live 3 hours away and am only moving to Rugby in the summer holidays.

The timing sounds about right. You are expected to take up a place offered within a few weeks - applying in June take that tk the end of term.

Hi there. I know Rugby very well and used to work in secondary education there (though over 10 yrs ago). I don't live there anymore but still have family there. Moved partly because of everything being oversubscribed - GPs, dentists (I couldn't get an NHS one) and schools particularly. And they just keep building houses! Town centre also not what it was. However, it is attractive looking, close to everywhere, there are excellent transport links, lots to do within say an HR in any direction, some excellent schools and property is a good investment in almost any part of the town. Regarding secondaries, you probably want to be in the catchment for ashlawn (Secondary) if possible - but hillmorton us not cheap. Not sure where you're moving from, so it might not be a problem. This would give you the choice of the grammars (if 11+ passed), rugby school (if that's something you're interested in) or what I think is the best state secondary in the town i.e. you can't really go wrong. I think all the primaries in that area are fine, and as other posters have said you will likely not get a choice, it will just be the nearest one. Paddox has a good reputation. I think one of the abbots farm schools (infant or jr, if in ashlawn catchment) isn't so good. I Think houses right around Eastlands school are ashlawn catchment (just) and that's a good school too - and houses a tad cheaper there than closer to hillmorton itself. There are private schools for primary age kids too - Bilton Grange and crescent school. Bilton has a reputation as a good area and has some good primary schools but I would be wary of the secondary there. Rugby's not a bad place to live at all, good luck with your move and I hope you like it.

Not sure if you're still reading this @MovingtoRugby but we were in your position a couple of years ago. Our child went to St Matthews Bloxam. It wasn't our first choice but we're really pleased now. It's a caring school and they get to know individual children well.

I don't think it's necessarily true that you'll only get into the closest school. For in-year applications it depends where the spaces are.

For secondary non-11+, bear in mind that not all children living in the Ashlawn catchment get a place as it's very oversubscribed, though the net has widened this year. That might be because of the new school that has opened in Houlton and seems popular too. If you'll be living near Rugby School you'll either be outside the Ashlawn catchment or on the edge of it.

Thanks for the reply. I am indeed still reading just on case some kind-hearted soul like yourself proffers advice.

I've just submitted in year applicatio with the County Council. I listed as preferences most of the schools nea CV22 (as that's where we are moving to) that offer age 4-11 as my children are 5 and 9. I'm hoping to get them both into the same school for practical reasons.

So now I think I just sit tight and wait to hear back from the council.

Good luck! I hope they get places in the same school and you settle in well over the summer.

Hi @MovingtoRugby we are looking to move to Rugby soon (Paddox area). I was wondering how did it go? Did your children get a place at any of the schools you listed on your application? Thanks!