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Advice on moving to Oxfordshire border of Cotswolds

5 replies

SurreyLB · 26/05/2022 09:07

Hi, My husband and I and our 6 year old daughter are planning to relocate from Surrey to the North East area of the Cotswolds (around Hook Norton and surrounding villages) and would really appreciate some advice!

Particularly, any thoughts on good (or not so good) state primary schools and best places to live for young families would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

OP posts:
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Chocoholic900 · 02/06/2022 16:43

Great Tew has a lovely little (standout) primary school, but because it's only small and very popular there might not be space in your daughters year group. That's the only one I know of first hand in the area.

Location wise and things to do - most you'll find in the Cotswolds - Farm park, Wildlife park, Blenheim, Cotswold Clubhouse, Fosseway soft play, Batsford arboretum, Birdland

tootiredtobother · 02/06/2022 16:50

are you moving up here for a long time, ie will your daughter be going to senior school here. if so pick your village school by which senior school it feeds into. School transport operated by Cheny coaches was v expensive in my day with wo kids.

and do you realise that our trainline is one of the most expensive in the country

cantkeepawayforever · 06/06/2022 19:54

I would agree with previous poster. Unless you know you will be moving pre-secondary, I would strongly recommend that you explore the secondary schools first, and use this to narrow down the field of primaries.

You will also need to think about how happy you are - and will be, as your child gets older - with small schools with mixed-age classes. These can be glorious when your child is very young. However, it's worth considering how well they are likely to meet the academic needs of your child throughout their time in each class (e.g. a very able child might do very well when in the 'younger' year group but find things a bit limiting when in the 'older' year group in each class). Funding is also an issue if small schools consistently run with small classes.

Also consider what is available in the specific community within which you live, as the parental taxi service can become a drag if e.g. swimming lessons, Brownies, dance, music group, girls' football etc etc are all 3-5 miles away, each in a different community facility or hall or the nearest larger town.

We moved, when my children were a similar age, away from an area very close to where you are considering to a middle-sized town in a different county. Here, everything we needed for children was within walking / cycling distance, and at a scale and quality that we could not have dreamed of.

That said, the villages around where you are looking are lovely, friendly, and there are lots of family-friendly attractions. It's just understanding the pros and cons, especially as your child gets older.

Delectable · 12/06/2022 19:02

OP, I notice you haven't been back in a while. What did you decide?

@cantkeepawayforever and @tootiredtobother I find your comments about the expensive train line, parental taxi service and mid-sized town insightful.

We're considering High Wycombe, Amersham, Great Missenden and Hemel Hempstead for our move. These might not be familiar with you but your general thoughts would be useful. @cantkeepawayforever which town are you referring to?

cantkeepawayforever · 12/06/2022 19:41

Can’t help you there, I’m afraid - not my area of the country and sounds as if where we moved to would be too far out of London for you.

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