Moving to Manchester - and I have no idea where to go. HELP ME PLEEEEAAAASE

[Ohforfoxsake]

So, we are going to Manchester, DP has a job in Salford.

So far I have investigated Altrincham but the LEA have told us that its highly unlikely the children would get into the same school. Its really important to me that they do as they are upping sticks and leaving all their friends behind. I don't mind home educating until places come up, but not as a long term solution.

Or, we could move further out and move out from the city (currently in London so that appeals). If DP can do a maximum one hours commute, its possible.

We have 4 DCs so want to base our search around good schools - they are in primary at the moment, but will soon be in Secondary and we don't really want to move twice, so we'd like to get it right first time round.

I am stumped and have no idea where to look. Any suggestions, words of wisdom or pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

ooooh, congratulations! I've watched this thread with HUGE interest, but haven't posted as would have been no help whatsoever....We are planning to move to Manchester, (probably July/Aug) and I've been using this thread as my bible!! I started looking at Bramhall, but it's sooo expensive, so Sale is currently number one! what did you think of the primary schools.....? Out of interest, why did you decide against Wilmslow/Bramhall? I'd be really interested in your views, as I think you're looking for exactly what we're looking for! We're living in France at the mo though, so can't do a big "drive around" for another few weeks, so in the meantime, rightmove and prime location are consuming my life!!

Hi there, of course I'll help. My email is somewhere, if you find it please feel free to drop me a line (I'm just being cautious putting it on too often).

We decided against Bramhall because its known as the Cheshire stockbroker belt or something. We found a fab house, liked the area, but its somewhere we might move to in 20 years time when we downsize and the children are older. We liked Wilmslow, but I think essentially we are more comfortable somewhere like Sale. Call it working class roots or whatever. Hale had too many estate agents in its town centre!

The schools are good. I spent an afternoon (literally) running around 5 primaries, all with their good points. Trafford have great schools, no places in any of them, but great schools. I met with them and I get the impression they will do as much as they can to help.

What I do know is don't start stressing about school places now. You can't do anything about it until 3 or 4 weeks before you can start. You have to be able to start within two weeks of a place being offered and accepted. There's no holding places, its a game of luck.

You can also look on Street View to take a look at Sale.

I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also dreading leaving London, but strangely the two things aren't related (in an emotional sense). Its more about swapping the old, and the sadness which goes with that, for the new, and the excitement that brings.

Shouldhavebeenaspicegirl (me too, Posh) what's bringing you to Manchester? How old are your children?

And the trams! So easy! 15 minutes into the centre of Manchester from Sale. Brilliant!

Still following your thread with interest.

Wilmslow winning for me. Sale had great schools and houses but the lack of open space wasn't for me (I live in a semi-rural village).

Bramhall is cheaper though. And the secondary school just had a good OFSTED.

Yes, Bramhall High went through a bit of a dodgy spell apparently, but is back on track.

Wilmslow is really nice, but I'm an urban fox

I work in Wilmslow, and we live around 6 miles away (not Bramhall, but close). We looked around a few areas when we were buying including Sale, where we liked the houses but it was too urban for us. Where we live now, we can see Lyme Park out the back
Pre-kids, my friends and I used to go out in Sale - some good pubs and restaurants!

Paddington, are you in Poynton or Woodford? We've been to Bramhall Hall this afternoon (what a lovely place!) and then went into Bramhall and had coffee and a wander about. Hard to judge on a Sunday afternoon but seemed okay.

I actually preferred Poynton to Bramhall but I work north of Warrington so Poynton seems to be pushing it.

We also drove through Woodford today - lovely but no facilites really - like to be able to walk to the shop.

What do you think of Bramhall/Wilmslow?

Happy to advise on life in Sale if that helps.........

Don't discount Bramhall,it's only 20 mins into Manchester on the train.

I would live there in a heartbeat ,if only for Simply Books and Toys n Tales!

and a nice children's shoe shop!

Yes, but I think the commute (by car) up the M6 might be a bit much from Bramhall?

Thanks Lilolilmanchester! Your views on the state primaries would be very welcome.

Do you live in Sale now?
Any bits to avoid? Is it OK on a Friday/Saturday night?

Worthing Park is meant to be nice. Is it?

Thanks Lilolil, really appreciate your help

Koala, we are in Poynton. We did look in Bramhall as well and liked it, but saw a house we liked here and my dad lives the other side of the Peaks, which is slightly closer to here. I do prefer Bramhall centre though. Plus it's in Greater Manchester which makes public transport cheaper. (Apparently we were given the chance to be in GM here, a while ago, but people were too snobby and said no - (prob massive generalisation there))!

I forgot to mention - I had an interview for a job near Birchwood once, which is near Warrington. The journey round the M60/M62 would have been a nightmare! So unfortunately, I'd say it's the wrong side if that's where you work. dh was offered a job on Salford quay though, he said that didn't seem too bad a drive really.

Thanks Paddington - my job is just over the Thelwall viaduct so it's useful to know you found the commute to Birchwood impossible.

I actually prefer Poynton to Bramhall, though there are some lovely houses in Bramhall.

have you seen the houses around Poynton Pool? OMG I'd need to win the lottery to ever afford one of those.
I wouldn't say the commute is impossible, I guess it depends what you'd be prepared to do - I find longish commutes a bit soul destroying! I am a bit spoilt really as I'm only in the office 3 days a week and my commute is 6/7 miles by bike!
Traffic round here can be a real mare, especially over the last couple of years as they keep doing major roadworks!

I work 2.5 days a week, though this pans out as 2 days one week and 3 days the next. In general, I work opposite days to my husband so we manage the school run between us, though I'm not sure I want to to be going out at 7.30am to avoid traffic, even if I can.

Poynton Pool - I'll have a look (and a cry at what I can't afford). I've heard the high school is good.

Oh I've just seent eh most beautiful house on Bramhall Road South. I wonder which primary school this equates to?

oooh yes there are some nice houses round there! I don't know much about primaries in Bramhall, there is one which is supposed to be especially good but I don't know the name. The high school is OK at the moment I think. Poynton High has a very good rep, and all the primaries - some are more 'academic' than others, it depends what you're looking for. I moved dd from a more academic one as it didn't suit her, but it did have ofsted outstanding!

How do you work out which are the more academic ones in Poynton? Just by Ofsted reports?

DD1 is in reception and apparently "gifted" so an academic one would be useful.

sorry, not been on here for a while. IMO the state primaries are really good in Sale, do you have any in particular in mind?
There are lots of excellent restaurants in Sale, we eat out there a lot. More nearby in Altrincham and Hale in one direction, Manchester in the other. It's pretty busy on a Fri/Sat. Is the house still going through? Whereabouts is it (roughly if you don't want to say exactly).

Koala, I went by ofsted reports and word of mouth. All schools here are fairly academic I think, but one definitely more so - I won't be too specific but it begins with W. My dd doesn't go there but some friends kids do and they are doing fine. It can be old fashioned in some ways though - they give out a lot of lines as punishment!

Its near the leisure centre Lil.

Are you in Sale?

Things are progressing, but nothing formal as yet.

Springfield, Temple Moor, Moorlands, St Annes, Park Road (Sale) are all on my radar.

Will you be able to hear the metro from there then OFFS??? That's the main thing I'd be thinking about.

Have heard good reports about all those primaries (tho know someone who moved a child from Springfield to Park the same year someone moved a child from Park to Springfield... down to how they suit your child i guess like anywhere else!!)

Story in local paper this week says that Worthington Primary and Templemoor Infant schools are to close and be merged with Moorlands, but to be honest, I wouldn't be too worried about that, Trafford schools on the whole are great.

Yes, am in Sale.

Yes, near the Metro

Hmm, that's interesting. Would be one big primary school.

I don't understand why Trafford are merging schools and not expanding the ones they have. They can't meet demand as it is, but choose to expand a school in Hale, where its more expensive to live.

I can't get all my children into school as it stands now. But then its irrelevant as I can't apply until we make the move.

Chances are they will be going to different schools, which won't help us settle into the local area. And I won't have a car as DP will need it to commute.

But I'll be homeschooling the youngest two as there aren't any foundation places anywhere as far as I can tell.

Its all a bit of a pisser.