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

oh I see, they are closing all three and building one school on the Moorlands site.

That is such a shame. I don't know about Worthington, but both the infants and junior schools were OK as they are. One of the reasons I liked them was that they were small, the children knew all the staff, and there was a real sense of closeness and pride in both of them.

Not to mention the disruption it will cause.

Such a shame to lose the lovely schools, which are obviously well loved by staff and children alike.

I shouldn't worry - I don't think they will lose what was good about those schools. You might also be zoned for Springfield? Seriously, in the area you are thinking about living, I wouldn't worry about any of the schools. Secondary a bit tougher cos selective, but the high schools are good and getting better if the children don't pass for grammar

Thanks for that information Paddington (Fox, sorry for hijacking). I'll have a look into that.

If you needed to get onto the M56 in the morning, which way would you go? Would you go to Bramhall and join the bypass that goes to Styal? Thinking of doing a dummy run after the easter hols to get an idea of the rush hour commute.

Yeah, bugger off and start your own thread

I'm delighted that this thread has been quite a help to quite a few. And I've made some lovely contacts from it too.

Now, if anyone knows of anyone who can turn round an A1 wedding table plan for 12 tables in one week at very little cost... please do share.

Bloody hell. What am I doing? Moving house and getting married at the same time?

re the table plan - we found a table planning tool online cheap, used it to do the plan, saved it to a data stick, took it to Staples and they printed it out for us on the morning of the wedding!

Koalasar - Depending where you are on Bramhall Lane South - your schools will be Nevill Road School Pownall Green ( outstanding ofsted), and possibly Ladybrook School. Pownall Green is a beacon school top 10 in stockport - primarily faith schools above it. It is always oversubscribed but there are generally a couple of spaces that go to out or catchment area. Not particulary densley populated, lots of big houses.

Nevill raod school (off bramhall lane south- close to bramhall park) or pownall green on Bramhall Lane south right near the village.

Thanks Grendelsmum. Don't suppose you have a link, please?

Stockport Council website is really useful. You can print off maps of catchment areas for each school.

thanks fox - I took your earlier tip to print the Cheshire one off (for Wilmslow) - really useful but I didn't see the Stockport one - must look again!

Koala, if I was going to the M56 from near Bramhall I'd probably go via Wilmslow. You could go via the airport, but that route will be made easier if they build the rest of the airport link road (I think there are plans, but then there have been for years)!!

What a useful thread! Table planning tools & house advice!

Can I barge in with my moving-to-Manchester quandry -

We're moving from London (Brixton-Herne Hill borders) up to Manchester. We LOVE where we live & want something similar in Manchester, but not sure it really exists... I grew up in Withington & my parents live in Didsbury now, so we want to be close to them for babysitting purposes but not too close... Thinking Chorlton. Is Levenshulme a terrible idea? What about Victoria Park? The houses look nice but the schools sound terrible.

I can't help you I'm afraid, but I can tell you that I'm not having a table plan, opting instead for 'escort cards'. (No, you don't put them in a phone box!)

Apparently our house is on a floodplain.

LOOK HERE!

I HAVE NEWS!

We have exchanged contracts and move at the end of this month

WHOOOOO-HOOOOOO

And I am a married woman.

Fantastic news, congratulations on both of your events, doubly exciting

Some rather exciting news myself, since I typed the 1st paragraph of this message the estate agent rang to say the offer we put in on a house we saw yesterday has been accepted, so looks like we're on the move too

Oh Montifer! Congratulations! Where are you off to? Are you staying in the area? Email me if you want to do it off MN. But I'd love to know!

Yey! Northwards bound!

Welcome!

Thanks!

I'll bring my brolly!

IT'S NEXT WEEK!

First pints on me!

Hey Fox!!!!
I know I haven't been on for a while but massive congratulations!

To whoever was asking about Wilmslow and Bramhall primaries. Which Wilmslow primaries are you interested in? As for Bramhall; PG, still has a very good reputation. My friends with kids there are very happy. Lots and lots of kids go from PG to indie school at 11. Queensgate also very academic. Oh and AFAIK, every one of the Bramhall schools are graded outstanding, and a few of the Poynton and Wilmslow ones too.

I can tell you lots about my local catchment primary in Wilmslow which is Gorsey Bank but of course it depends where you want.

Oh and fox, I do hope I'm still invited over to Sale for a large glass of red at some point.
I seem to have been on your threads forever!

OFFS, Congratulations!!! I'm so relieved for you that its all turned out well! How very exciting!! We are nearly there, we have found 3 houses to rent, and now it all comes down to the school - redcardie, thank you for your really helpful advice, I think it was me that was asking! We now have to choose between Moss Hey, Pownall Green and Nevill Road primaries, and whichever one we choose, we will take that house. If anyone has any views/comments/thoughts on Moss Hey primary in Bramhall, I would be eternally grateful.

Just bumping to see how the big move went! (I'm myredcardigan btw)

Shouldhavebeenaspicegirl, About 95% of people would probably chose Pownall school over any other in the area. My friends are very, very happy with it. I don't really know anything about MH school or anyone who goes there, sorry. Not even quite sure where it is-Is it towards Cheadle? However, I do know that most people in Bramhall try to avoid Nevil Road school. It does not have a good reputation and part of its catchment is considered 'dodgy'. Though that doesn't always mean it's a bad school. This is just what I've heard from people i know in the area.

I'm only up the road in Wilmslow so when you move give me a shout!

DH just reminded me we looked at a house on Ogden lane or something like that which he says was in the Moss Hey catchment. If so, then it's very nice around there.

Agree re Heatons (live there myself). All the primary schools are good and the local secondary school (Priestnall) is doing v well only exceeded by the grammar schools. Speaking of which Stockport Grammar (fee paying ) and Altrincham Grammar (11+) have buses. Its a leafy area with a good sense of community with good parks and a cafe culture. Damson restaraunt is run by a mitchelin star chef. my friend had her wedding reception there lovely. There is easy communte to salford via ring road and they are building a metro link (on didsbury road near parrswood) which will be v handy for Salford. Also a direct train into piccadilly. Lots of young trendy types, family, professionals and silver surfers and the like.

Please exuse spelling cann't find my glasses.

ooh dear def should read all the posts before jumping in with my two left feet.

We're HERE!

Been living in Sale for the last three weeks, where it has mostly been sunny (so bog off every misery-guts who told me it rains all the time in Manchester!)

Kids have been in school a week and seem to be settling in well, house is lovely, the move went really well, other parents at the school have been really friendly.

I really, really, really miss my tea and chats with my mates, but I know that its just a matter of time before that happens here.

I'm realistic enough to know that there might be a tricky time coming, for all of us, but its been a brilliant start and I owe you all a MASSIVE THANK YOU.

This thread has been a HUGE influence on the process, and I am truely grateful to you all.

I am serious about that large wine/pint BTW.

And in a very un-MN like fashion, I'd like to give you all a big smacker on the lips and say thank you (I won't do that if we meet though, I promise!) MWAH!