Cheltenham

[Twobigtwolittle]

Hello,

We are looking at moving to Cheltenham next Summer and are starting to think seriously about areas, schools etc We have four children who will be about to enter school years 1,3, 12 and then our eldest who is currently finishing A-Levels and we aren't quite sure of her plans.

I know the best mainstream state schools are Balcarrass and Leckhampton but our budget is £950k and we need a 5 bed house with an office and decent garden so I'm not sure whether we will find what we need within catchment for that. Can anyone shed any light on Cleeve school as a Sixth Form and general secondary please? Or any other good secondaries? Our 14 year old is into Art, Musical Theatre and English if that helps.

Also - our youngest daughter is currently at at small village primary school with access to lots of countryside, beautiful field to play in etc - nurturing school. Can anyone recommend any similar primaries please? She's quite bright and just a sweet little girl so I really want to find somewhere she that could foster that. I would consider a larger primary school but ideally smaller as that's what she is used to.

Our eldest is about to finish A-Levels. She would like to do dance at degree level but she is a keen to not be far away from us. It's very tricky finding the right thing for her as she would like to continue doing tap, modern, jazz, ballet and pointe but without having to do singing (she just can't confident enough in this). I looked at Morea but that has singing. Does anyone know, if she did a dance degree that didn't have all those things - is there a dance school that could provide those classes to her at age 19-22? She would want to take all her grades. She's Intermediate in some and studying Advanced 1 in others. DDE training would also be beneficial. Does anyone have experience of either BIPA in Bristol or Gloucestershire Uni for dance please?

It's just awful trying to line everything up but we have been here ten years and never settled. There isn't enough to do here and our weekends feel nothingy much of the time. My parents also can't afford to buy near us here so that's another factor. We like the countryside - walking and getting out for the day. Cheltenham does tick a lot of boxes with plenty to do in town centre and Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Wales not too far away.

I'm aware I've asked a lot of questions but any information or opinions on areas etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Bumping 🤞🏻

This is more what people say rather than direct experience. Hopefully someone else will come along to update.

Cleeve is a big mixed secondary and has some issues typical of that, some bullying I've heard, some kids don't settle there because it's big, but most do, generally good results, good range of subjects to choose between. There is A LOT of building going on all around the West of Bishops Cleeve. I find the newer bits a bit soulless, that's just personal taste. The Woodmancote area is nice. It's good to have access to the hills for walking.

Pittville is a smaller secondary, supposed to be good for Sen and pastoral care, because they have a higher proportion of kids that need that extra support. Lower exam results. My knowledge might be 8 ish years out of date!

Winchcombe is another smaller secondary and is in a MAT with Balcarras. But obviously not in Cheltenham itself.

i think you should be able to get a 5 bed house in leckhampton for £950, may have a couple of compromises also have the walks on your doorstep

My nephew is at Cleeve and very happy. His younger siblings go to woodmancote primary which is a lovely school.