Nottingham : Which area is perfect for family and good for primary schools?

[Kaizen92]

Hello everyone,

My partner and I, along with our 2.5-year-old toddler and plans for more children in the future, are currently residing in the beautiful area of Mapperley Park in Nottingham. However, we've realized that there aren't any "outstanding" schools nearby. As much as we adore living in a hilly, leafy neighborhood, we recognize the importance of living in an area with excellent schools. Currently, our child attends Woodthorpe Nursery and thoroughly enjoys it.

My main query revolves around identifying family-friendly and safe areas in Nottingham. We're seeking neighborhoods with plenty of parks and activities for children, such as indoor and outdoor play areas, as well as clubs for swimming, football, basketball, etc. I feel it's crucial to establish connections with other parents and make friends who have children of a similar age so we can share experiences and meet up regularly.

Could you kindly suggest areas where we could purchase homes within the range of £200K-£250K? We're looking for a property with two main bedrooms and an additional office space, and we're confident in our ability to afford it.
We are drawn to a slower-paced lifestyle, particularly in suburban areas, and we have a fondness for hilly views, which we often enjoy from Mapperley Drive or Gedling. However, we're unsure if these areas offer great schools. I've heard that West Bridgford is renowned for its schools. Would it be feasible to find a suitable house within our budget in this area?

We would greatly appreciate your insights and recommendations regarding both houses and areas suitable for families. Given our love for walks, it's important to us that we feel safe taking our child outdoors.

Overall, do you believe Nottingham is a suitable place for families?
We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for your time :)

Beeston- although it is pricey
Beeston rylands
Both near a train station for a commute to Manchester.
Stapleford
Sandiacre
Long Eaton again you've got the train station to commute
Wollaton
Chilwell
Bramcote

Hope you manage to find something xx

Lady Bay is in West Bridgford - part of Rushcliffe and is NOT in within the City Boundary. With a budget of £200-£250k - you won't find a house in WB - might get a flat?

I suspect many of the areas listed, you will struggle to find a great house in the areas without bursting your budget. Edna Golds school in Lenton has an outstanding Ofsted rating, but I would suggest you check out the area carefully. It has a high proportion of hmo properties let to students.

You many want to consider Newark as that has great transport links and lots to offer,with more reasonable housing available.

The places surrounding Bramcote include Beeston, Chilwell, Stapleford, Trowell and Wollaton. All decent places.

Hi, I've lived in west bridgford for many years. Your budget is a bit low these days - schools are great however the two best senior schools, Rushcliffe is enormous! WB school is great, my children attend, but again huge, but do get good education.
Further out, I'd be looking at
Wilford - ensuring good catchment schools though as numbers are tight on WB schools
Keyworth - South Wolds is a really good school apparently
East Leake - not sure about schools tho

Yes and the places around Wollaton (and directly adjacent) include Bilborough, Beechdale, Strelley, Broxtowe, Bulwell etc. All similar distances (the other way) to those you’ve listed. Not places to live out of choice. Just google the crime statistics.

I don't think you could describe Lady Bay as a budget option. It's also under the county council. Gamston and parts of Edwalton maybe might be in budget though, I'm pretty sure they're both still in catchment for Rushcliffe (but might not be if they end up building the new secondary school).

Bulwell is not adjacent to Wollaton.

I just googled crime Nottingham:

City Centre & Trent Bridge is the most dangerous neighbourhood in Nottingham, followed by St Ann's West in second place, and Bulwell North as the third most dangerous area. Nottingham's safest neighbourhoods are, in order, University Park, Lenton Abbey & Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Park, and Wollaton Vale.1 Feb 2024.

No, it's near (as some of your examples were near, but not adjacent).

My point is that when you're in a good place, it's worth thinking carefully before moving. There are some awful places and schools in those areas of Nottingham and the house prices are necessarily indicative of the good vs bad areas because the bad areas have some nice houses (in a bad area...).

Wollaton Park is nice. Wollaton is a decent sized area. There are some very bad areas close by is what I'm saying. And the op needs to know this to make an informed decision.

Thank you so much everyone. I saw few flats and houses in westbridgeford and they are in my budget. As i am not sure how safe that area is, i am going to view one tomorrow and as suggested on rightmove woodthrope primary and rushcliff acadmy are very close to that house but seeing your replies that one street is safe and another is not makes me bit worried. Anyone here knows that area can help me to see if its a right area to move?

please let me know so i can PM you (if we end up buying that house)

I wouldn't set too much store by 'good' or 'excellent' ratings. Read the full reports to get a better feel for the school. And, crucially, check the date. A lot of schools rated excellent up to ten years ago haven't been reinspected yet so it isn't a reflection of the current school. Some excellent schools have been rated Requires Improvement on reinspection.

We're a relocation, not Nottingham, so looked round four primaries initially, all rated 'good' but found they were all quite different. We got more insights from talking to parents at toddler groups. We then relocated 200 miles and took a place at another good school.

Go to the open days. Talk to the headteacher. Read the full inspection report to see where any criticisms lie. A report done in the last couple of years which praises excellent EYFS and key stage 1 but suggests improvements for key stage 2 is a good bet - they'll have made those improvements by the time your kid gets there.
Any concerns around safeguarding were a no from us.

I live in West Bridgford (renting though) and as others have mentioned you’ll be hard pressed to find a 3 bed for less than 300-350k depending on condition. I keep looking as we want to buy but we’ll need a 4 bed and that’s around 450-500k so it will be a while until we can afford it 😂 Houses also get snapped up really quickly, including rentals. Schools are heavily oversubscribed and you need to carefully plan to be in catchment and attend a feeder primary school for your chosen secondary. Happy for you to PM @Kaizen92, I certainly don’t know every inch of WB but I might be able to help!

@Kaizen92 - did you like the flat? Which area of WB is it in? I have lived here about 20 years in this house and had a few student abodes around here in the 1990's so happy to help too 🤩🤩🥳

West Bridgford is lovely, but the schools are hugely over subscribed and to be honest the area is over populated and definitely doesn't feel leafy anymore. Also a lot of very middle class attitudes, a friends child was bullied for just having a "basic" Tesla... Not all schools in WB are good either, some mix very closely with the more deprived areas and drug dealing and behaviour is a worry.

You won't get anything for 250k though around Bridgford, tiny terrace 2 up 2 down are going for 300k + and as for Lady Bay being budget... ha! We've been looking for the last year and nothing comes up and when it does you're looking at 400k +

Around Mapperley/Gedling and Arnold there are some good schools and maybe a bit more affordable? Arnold Hill has a decent reputation I think?
edited as just seen its report for Ofsted was not good 😮 Maybe scrap that then :)

Bingham is a good shout as have an excellent secondary school, and the surrounding villages are a little bit cheaper (Newton or the Cropwell's are worth a look if schools are your main focus) Radcliffe on Trent is worth a look too if you can get in to Toothill from there.

Good luck!

Balderton near Newark is worth a look too.

Lots of good secondary schools and an excellent primary school. Cheap around there and Newark is a nice little town. Easy for the train to Edinburgh/Manchester/London too. Much nicer than a lot of the suburb areas immediately around Nottingham City Centre too.

Thank you, We are definitely increased our budget if that's the case and instead of house I am conformable with flats, 3 bedroom is requirements for us.

Our focus mainly is good primary school as he is hardly a 3 years old.

Bit late to the thread but just wondering @2andadog which primary and secondaries you’d recommend in Newark? I grew up near there but didn’t go to school there and am considering a move back.