I think we're moving to Salisbury!

[kittykatz]

Hi all, my OH has been offered a job in Salisbury and, whilst moving wasn't on my list of things to do this year (we're currently in Cambridgeshire), it's a bit of an opportunity not to be missed. My biggest concern is finding a new school for September for my 5yo DD and then finding somewhere to rent around that. I'd prefer a village location or a quiet part of the city - we have 2 nervous cats - so if anyone can help with any advice and suggestions I would be very grateful.

You gotta love Anokka though!

Oooh yeah, forgot about that! I want a curry and beer now but I've loads of work to finish. Doh!

I love the thai Sarocha! And a lot of the village pubs do amazing food!

OMG I laughed alot reading some of these threads and it's made me join!!! I live in Salisbury and as much as I love most aspects of it I hate the fact the church has so much influence over the schooling side of things. They do really 'rule the roost'. That said there are some schools who don't allow this to happen. The Grammar school system is unlike any other Grammar school system I've known and parents really do get themselves worked up over it when quite often it just isn't the right place for their children. This post has really cheered me up

mumof2wifeof1 - welcome! The grammar schools are an oddity here. There is no open competition at all - it is either prep school or private tution through junior school to get in.

I'm just watching a boy of about 14 in a stripey formal shirt, quiffy hair and jeans play rugby up and down my street with his lardy middle aged dad in jumbo cords (gold of course). The ball is bouncing off everyone's cars and they don't give a toss.

That sums up Salisbury to me. Tossy haired youngsters who all look the same and balding, cord wearing fat dads who play rugger at the weekend....they don't give a toss about anyone else, but would soon have some very quick judgments to share on so-called 'chavs'.

It is bourgeois 'chav' land.....that's what it is!!

I am suprised people still judge so much on appearances to be honest. My experiences of my teens were that they passed the eleven plus through going over the question style and learning the things on the paper that arent taught under the NC. I taught them that, no "hot housing". I think unless you have been through the 11 plus system it's hard to have an opinion on the paper etc and the people who pass it. But hey that is another thread.

The grammar system and secondary schools are far from ideal but it suits some people no matter what colour cords they wear. I dont like to label by appearances. Teenagers wear the same styles nationally in my experience and to presume a child is of les worth because of their hair style is really a litle bit petty.

Err, do you have experience of the Salisbury grammar school system? That is what we are talking about after all. A poster has already distinguished that from other areas.

Children are hot housed to get through the system here. This much is acknowledged by most parents here. There aren't many left who still struggle on pretending it is a meritocracy out there.

And as for comments about clothes, who was assuming a child was of less worth because of their hair? Really, who said that?

My point was the uniform dressing and thinking in this area. From the same Daily Mail/Daily Torygraph readers who would be quick to judge others.

Petty comments, perhaps, but unless you know this place, I'd really reserve your own judgment until you have some experience of it.

Teens don't all dress the same everywhere and there certainly aren't many places in Britain where the teenagers all dress like minor royals as they do here.

Yes unfortunately Solly, Salisbury Grammar schools really are different and it does have quite an effect on the Primary Schools and hence the parents, who think it is their 'God' given right to demand that some schools teach their children to pass the 11+. I'm not sure about some of the other comments. When we moved here we saw some very individaul teenagers and that appealed to us. Admittedly I'm not seeing them so much now but my children have managed to maintain their own identity and style. I think alot of the cords (gold, although we see alot of salmon)are indicative of serving and ex Army Officers!!! There are alot of very good hearted people in Salisbury though. Having recently been across to the south east at least many people are polite, will let you out on a junction and don't barge you out of the way with their shopping trolley!

We live just West of Salisbury in a small village; it is a beautiful part of the country and we are very happy here. My daughter started at our local village school in September (100 pupils in whole school) and is happy and fulfilled. We are in the grammar catchment here and the school did send 4 out of 13 year 6 children last year but fortunately there is little regard to tutoring, cramming etc......this seems to be more prevalent in the biggers schools in the city.

Good luck with your search for a new house/school.

I mean bigger primary schools in the city

Spotty that sounds nice! I think the villages can be nice and very pretty. It certainly is a pretty place to live and it is rather untouched ...sort of like 1950s Britain and feels like the world has left it behind a bit. This has some plus points, but if you are trying to achieve anything 21st century with public services, SEN or hospitals, it can be a bit of an unnecessary struggle.

Mumof2...Beware the pastel cords on grown up men! Very strange.

I moved to the 'city' - such as it is - from London and the first thing that struck me was the lack of anything remotely 'alternative'. No music scene, no politics etc . If I'd been a teenager here, I'd have gone mad.

Yes, I was referring to the Salisbury system. I know of several of my teens contemporaries who got in and the "hot housing" merely means looking at the style of exam questions that come up. It would be pretty hard to teach a very weak child to pass in my opinion.

I don't really mind who teenagers dress. Surely its their right to annoy the oldies?.

Indeed, but doing it by dressing like middle aged men and women is a bit sad

My experience has been people sending their children to prep school or private tutoring from Yr4 so that they are up to the requisite standard (which is level 5 I understand) by the end of Yr5. That is why there is such a flourishing market for tutors here.

I think this forces the pace in primary schools. My son has been to two in the area and the experience has been the same. I don't believe you would get that without the grammars.

You sound sane but not everyone else is

Hi Kitty,

I live in Tidworth, near Amesbury, as we are an Army family, not officers I hasten to add, so no jumbo cords on us...But do remember that the MOD own most of the land here, and are expanding their garrisons to become super garrisons, with the idea that Army families won't move around so much (try finding a primary school every one to two years like us!)There are some lovely villages on the outskirts if you are happy with a short commute, Shipton Bellinger school is fab, Pitton had a really good ofsted too. Collingbourne Ducis has a lovely little school, and Appleshaw near Andover has a fantastic school. Then there is also Stockbridge and the surrounding areas? The Wellington academy is being developed in Ludgershall by the MOD, which everyone is excited about and there are some ofsted outstanding secondary schools in Andover for the years ahead.

Hi Kitty - just came across this chat about moving to Salisbury. I maybe moving to the area and wanted to know about your experience.
Thanks

Ditto to the above.. We may be moving to Salisbury and would be keen to hear experiences and areas to live within 10miles of Salisbury (or centrally).. We have 3 primary school age children...

Thanks!!

Good God I was bought up outside Salisbury, father is army and you lot are describing an area that sounds completely alien and enough to frighten off the OP!!!

Of course you are not going to get the left wing guardiansta type that frequent MN - it is a military area and so naturally you are going to get Tory views and types that live there - we don't bite :)

Re hot housing your kids - how many parents here get stressed over the primaries their children can/cannot get into in London - SATS, what level the little ones are on when they finish reception, I could go on.

OP - I work in Cambridge now and really a move to Salisbury is not going to be a huge shock - granted the shopping is dire, cafe culture doesn't really exist but there are some lovely areas to go to and knowing Bournemouth is only an hour away is a bonus :)

As long as you drive you will be fine - 2 buses an hour probably :)

The wood ford valley is nice.

Wish I was going to Salisbury :(

Definitely look at New Forest areas, Redlynch, Woodfalls even Fordingbridge area and Romsey.

oh my days.. welcome to Smallsbury..

I live in Wilton a lovely little area, and my 8 year old attends the local primary. we picked this school for many reasons, one being it was so welcoming unlike others, the fact that it is a tiny little village school, Something Woodford started out like until it had the odd celeb send the precious little princesses there. wood ford is lovely, my family live their and it is a beautiful village, but it is expensive and full of 4 x 4's that are never actually driven off the road.

Salisbury is as Lexie1970 says, it is mainly military and ex military ( may family included) but you will find most people are welcoming.

HOWEVER, the school system is disgusting, the Grammars dominate this area, are highly selective and many children try but fail to gain entry, they are then left with very little choice in terms of alternatives. St Edmunds!!! ( Not thanks), Sarum Academy!!! not even worth it, memories of its predecessor of Westwood st Thomas, the school that housed those that no one wanted. St Josephs and or wyvern. it is very sad, that with so many young children in this area, that has such a huge choice of Primary education, it then lacks secondary.

my 8 year old is already in the grammar crammer process, at a school who last year got 1..... 1 child out of 16 into the grammar ( this one child has an elder sibling who is currently at the grammar with one parent a teacher and the other an ex teacher)

but, if you can see through all this, what you will find is a city that is quite beautiful, and where people do really aspire to be better than the national average.

Lainey if the grammar didn't work out which school would you choose do you think?

Coombe Bissett is the most beautiful village, the centre has a lovely billage green and church, many beautiful large detached georgian houses.

Good people - lots of doctors and a very relaxed and safe environment.

We only wish there were more houses there as there is always a supply and demand issue. The good houses get snapped up so quickly. We saw a beautiful thatched roof cottage for sale
which looked like it belonged on a chocolate box tin.

Very close to the city and lots of professional commuters there too.

There is also a lovely primary school there for your little one.

The OP's 'little one' would be in year 10 or 11 now (possibly even at grammar school).