Exeter/Newton Abbott/Torquay seeking inspiration for finding balance between home/school

[curiousfather]

Hi all. We are planning to move into area soon 2+2 family, kids will be still in primary education. They attend catholic school and we would want them to continue attending catholic school. I can see choice is limited, with single schools in Exeter/ Newton/Exmouth and Torquay. It is even worse with secondary schools, where I'm only finding 1 catholic school St Cuthbert Mayne on Torquay outskirts (sadly in 2023 also their rating was dropped to requires improvement....) I am still exploring all possibilities and would be grateful for any suggestions. Initially my thought was to live in Exeter, but given that my kids may need to be in North Torquay for their further education, I do not see myself doing school run in the morning from Exeter to Torquay and still try to get to work on time. My other thought was to possibly live in Newton Abbott which has also got catholic school and is way much closer to north Torquay.
Does anyone want to share their thoughts/knowledge/experience of being in a similar situation of trying to send children to primary/secondary catholic school in the area?
Also how is Newton Abbott in general to live in with kids? I know exeter better but a friend of mine used to live there and recommends outskirts of newton without doubt. I am trying to find a balance between being relatively close to schools and don't live in a tiny village (but happy to give up on Exeter if a better balance can be found) - we should both drive so somewhere that we can relatively easily get from to the seaside/country park/any attractions for kids within easy reach. I would appreciate any comments/suggestions. Thanks!😀

Torquay and Newton are turning into sprawling conurbations, the countryside is being covered in ugly new housing and Torquay, like many South Coast seaside towns has lots of homeless and drug addicts. I wouldn't want to go back to live there (I was born in Torquay).

I see there's a Catholic primary in Buckfast - the village is right next to the A38 which is a very fast road, convenient for driving to Plymouth where there are Catholic secondary schools. I went to a convent school near Newton myself, but it closed many years ago due to a shortage of nuns!

Thanks bluesatin.
Personally, I lived in London for 10+ years and I think it can only be better anywhere else is UK compared to London :) You will have crime, drug addicts and homeless wherever you go. And I wouldn't live in the centre, but rather on suburbs.
Re Plymouth- I have only heard so far 9/10 times bad reviews and wouldn't necessarily choose to live or send children to school there (even though the schools can actually be good). Overall picture is not encouraging me to go this route.
Having lived in big cities before, cannot see ourselves to move in to a tiny village too. So this Buckfast is probably not ticking boxes. We would be mainly adjusting out plans to secondary schools as by the time we sort all out, they will be soon approaching year 5/6 so primary school will not be as a focus as secondary school option.
It is this unfortunate parental responsibility and position to relocate according to school location and children future rather than my own personal choice 🙃
But please do share any views/comment ts/ personal experiences as I am only learning the area and I am open to suggestions and recommendations 😊

I'd say Plymouth has actually got far fewer societal problems than Torbay. Newton Abbott is a dump IMO, with few redeeming features. Torbay has an enormous County Lines problem. Enormous.

I'd say look at schools around Plymouth then look at where you'd be prepared to commute on the school run each day. Same for Exeter.

There's some gorgeous areas, it just depends on your budget and transport needs.

Thanks PinkFootstool for your message. I am still not encouraged enough to choose Plymouth, also due to the fact that staying around Exeter and North Torbay, I have easier access to m5, Bristol Airport, better connected to London if needed for kids, also I drive to Europe by car so the further south west I go, the longer the route is East:) I know this may be 1h ish only extra, but sometimes 1h changes to 2h and in a long run, this only becomes a nuisance. I am after a balance between all of these aspects and I am prepared to compromise on something, as you cannot have all you want. I also believe that if parents have good relationship with their kids and actively involved in their growing up process, you're more likely to spot that there may be something suspicious going on. Drugs are bad in London too, stabbings happen daily, it has been blended into everyday reality these days what happens. Please do share anything that will provoke brainstorming and encourage me to explore different scenarios :) thanks 😊

Exeter is by far the nicest area out of NA, Torbay and Plymouth imo.
There are buses from Exeter to Torquay grammar so there may be transport options to the catholic secondary in Torbay. Some nice villages on the outskirts of Exeter which are also close to the M5 and the airport eg Clyst St George and Clyst st Mary. Topsham is lovely and has a regular bus service to exeter and a train station. Also has an open air pool and good selection of independent shops and restaurants and train service to Exmouth for beach.

Thanks ShanghaiDiva. Our very first choice was Exeter, but given secondary schools that interest us (Cuthbert Mayne, grammar schools in North Torquay), I think it would be a torture for many years to do school runs and commute to/from work. I am not a village person, but tired of living in big cities, so anything between that suits:) I am closely looking at the area between Kingsteignton and North suburbs of Torquay, what would allow easy access to main fast roads, close proximity to schools and within use of public transport if needed too. A friend of mine has lived in Kingsteignton and in Kingskerswell for couple of years now ans recommends this area. Well, I am open to explore:) Anyone from that area too to throw some more comments?:) thanks :)

Searching for more ideas and experiences from the region... 😀

Be aware that with the mass migration into Devon (think over 100k new houses just near me) and no new infrastructure to support it, the schools and hospitals are at bursting point. To get into a school you will need to live in catchment unless it’s a grammar or independent.
I am mid Devon and have had the choice of only 1 school which is dire. When we moved here 8 years ago we had the choice of three. But the new housing estates have pushed us out of catchment for the good ones.
There are year 7 children sat at home with no school place this year. They are just on a waiting list.
additionally to be considered for a school you need to have moved by year 5. So if you arrive with a year 6 child you may find your options limited.

Plymouth on the other hand has a lot more choice. Friends in Plymouth had 17 senior schools to scholar from. And much wider opportunities for options. Schools in Exeter, mid Devon and Newton abbot etc are basic options.

Newton abbot and Torbay are grim and depressing unfortunately. Lots of poverty related crime. And the schools are small enough that it’s hard for children to stay away from it. Loads of grim urban sprawl with nasty Lego brick new estates.

Ivybridge near Plymouth is nice, on the up. Great and large high school. Not catholic though. And easy access to A38 and then M5

but honestly school choices in Devon are not great.

Does this help op?

www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/find/find-a-school/devon/

I had friends who went to both Notre Dame (girls) and St Boniface (boys) both were considered good schools, but that was a long time ago.

I wouldn't live in or near Torquay, Newton Abbott has its own issues but so does everywhere. There's Ivybridge between Plymouth & Exeter, great for commuting has had quite a few new houses built so it's expanded a bit but a nice suburb 20 mins to Plymouth 40 mins to Exeter. Also Chudleigh another area that's quite pretty and closer to Exeter.

We used to call Newton Abbot “Newton Armpit” when I was growing up. It’s about the least inspiring town in Devon. Torquay a bit better but honestly you are focusing on the least charming, cultured and fun places you can find in an area otherwise bursting with good things. Look at Buckfastleigh if the catholic school thing is a real deal breaker. Or make sure they get catholic teaching through church and Sunday school and widen your options.

What about Ashburton? It's near to Buckfastleigh for the Catholic school and also near to Newton abbot which is much maligned but actually a great place to live, especially if you have young children

I consider to be in the catchment area, hence talking about newton/North Torquay if I was to send children to St Cuthbert or Grammar school for boys.
Listen - I lived in various parts of London 10+ years. Trust me, anywhere I go, it can only be nicer, less crime, less wealth/poverty contrast. Plymouth I am not considering. I had a look at Buckfastleigh but - this would be a better choice for primary school only. Not am easy school run/even worse if kids needed to use buses to get to North Torquay. All looks good on paper to live in a nice village, but as parents we need to give up on something to allow something else. And this is not London with tube, trains, buses etc for multiple commute choice. It is car or bus only.
Just looking at Chudleigh- car journey fine, but a torture to get to school by bus from there...
I think we are considering non-cstholoc schools to given limited choice, but 6th form would be preferable. Grammar school has that. Unless you can recommend any other secondary schools in this area that has 6th form and is within possible catchment area...

With respect, people are giving their opinions based on local knowledge. You're ignoring it all which is your absolute entitlement, but in failing to listen you're also failing to understand the warnings.

Crime is different here in rural and small town communities than you're apparently used to in London. County Lines are insidious. They target school kids including posh kids at private schools, University students, you name it. Your kidd will not be shielded from this.

It's also about walking down a high street which is run down with spice zombies collapsed around the doors and benches, fewer activities to do outside school hours when your kids want to go to the cinema, general ineptitude of local councils, crap supermarkets, absolute lack of diversity in a community, availablity of jobs when your kids want to work, poor opportunities for advancement in life beyond the local area etc.

Maybe rent a holiday home for a month and learn a bit more about the communities you think you want to live in.

I do get your point PinkFootstool, thanks. And yes, would never buy a house without living in the area for at least 6 months. That's our plan, to rent for even 12 months to get to know areas, I know it is different experience and knowledge from dozens of shorter and longer holidays in the area, compared to living permanently. I always appreciate honest opinion and locals' feedback as this reflects on day to day existence there. I am just trying to find a healthy balance between home and schools for children. We will both drive so for us we're flexible, whether I spend extra x number of minutes commuting. I want them to have reasonably good access to the school including use of public transport in case we couldn't drive them there for whatever reason. Being in a lovely village with strong community sense and support sounds good, but this may not be suitable for young couple with growing up kids. This may be more suitable for singles, couples without kids, someone looking to have quiet retirement life. Therefore, you end up being in this difficult situation where you need to give up on something to get something. And this means you need to be closer to bigger city or on the suburbs of it and be exposed to higher crime rate etc which I think is unavoidable and part of our day to day life existence. But we do have some control over what our children do, how they spend free time, who they meet with. I have seen this a lot. Parents who don't have strong relationships with their children end up having children connecting with wrong societies. You can't shield them from everything that's obvious.
Does anyone know the very North outskirts of Torquay around Barton/Babbacombe or even outside like Kingskerswell? I know they build lots of new houses around that area. It is on the main road, both ways to Torquay or Exeter is convenient location. And rather village lifestyle. Again, entertainment choices for teenagers is probably limiter there but you can't have everything... thanks again all :) 😀

Kingskerswell is a depressing commuterville now and school choices not good. Your kids will end up hanging around Newton abbot.
good luck shielding for kids from county lines. You’ve better chance in London. Near me the best private school is infiltrated. In London they target specific children from a back ground of poverty. Here even the rich kids want to prove something and get sucked in.

ashburton on the A38 has a decent high school, it’s close to the moor and it’s a nice little town. But again very little to entrain teens. If you’re considering a move to Devon I’d say that it’s idyllic for raising small and primary age children. For teens unless they are wedded to the countryside lifestyle, via horses, young farmers, or a climbing group etc etc or water sports then there is a lot of scope for getting into trouble. Even if they are mad keen on sports, you will find facilities limited and will have to drive to Exeter or Plymouth to support them.

Don’t get me wrong. Devon is amazing. But you’re better off either in a city like Exeter or Plymouth, or small village. The market towns are big enough to attract problems and small enough that you can’t avoid them.

Newton Abbot aka The Scabby Carrot, is not a nice place. It’s grey depressing and grim.

Kingskerswell and the other areas are just suburbs of the Scabby Carrot, they are huge housing areas with not a lot going for them.

Hav you looked at East Devon? Ottery St Mary has a good secondary school. Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton are very nice. Newton Abbot is only going to get worse as well with all the planned housing developments. Kingskerswell is soulless. Torquay is rough. Bovey Tracey may be an option?

Yeah Bovey, Chudleigh and Ashburton are all nice that way

Kings school in east Devon is nice and there is the grammar at Colyton. I’d look that way. Although of course access to he M5 is less convenient

There is a Catholic primary in Teignmouth which is a delightful town. But again the secondary is Cuthbert Mayne, the Teignmouth side of Torquay. I think Newton Abbot is grim, but that's only my opinion .

Would look at Bovey Tracey, Ashburton areas.
Newton Abbot itself is ok, nicer than Teignmouth in my opinion and far, far nicer than Torquay. I think the previous comments about it have been quite harsh on it.

I don't think Plymouth would be that bad a choice to be honest, the city centre is horrible granted but there are some nice areas there (and equally some not very nice ones). I'd rather live there than Torquay.
Plenty of school choices there too.

I don't know much about Catholic schools, but wow, why so much hate for newton abbot
I've lived in Kingsteignton or Newton abbot for the last 37 years, no problems at all
Kingsteignton is a lovely place to live, newton has good and bad estates, as does everywhere
But newton abbot town is nice, lots of shops, independents and some chains, the high street is dieing all over the country, but newton is hanging in there, I enjoy a trip in to newton, not like torquay at all with so many empty shops and spice heads.
It's really not grey and grim here!

@curiousfather I am a secondary teacher in Exeter, have lived in Exeter and now Torbay for many years. St Cuthbert Mayne is not at all well regarded. Commuting from exeter to school on Torbay is doable for the grammars but you need to be very sure that your child/ren will pass the 11+. I personally wouldn't send my children to the other Torbay secondaries. Torbay has its share of problems like most seaside places but is also stunningly beautiful in places with easy access to the South Hams and Dartmoor. I would strongly suggest you visit the places you are considering!

Thanks, westcoastlover. I have seen growing number of suggestions to look at Bovey Tracey.
Is there anywhere to check/ how do you know how much more development is being planned for areas around Newton Abbot/Kingskerswell? I understand that this is a common trend now to build lots of flats and houses everywhere, not sure if you can run away from it...

Thanks for nice and honest post:)
I can't comment on others commenting on Newton Abott in a negative way, but wouldn't mind understanding why we think it is a Scabby carrot 😅 When you say good and bad estates, would you be able to say - yes, this area is rather bad, and this area is rather nice? And why?
I have a friend who has lived there for couple of years now and values peace and quiet life, and doesn't mind 10-15 min drive to do weekly shopping. I am not ruling out this area at all...

Thanks for your comment.
What makes you say that St Cuthbert is not at all well regarded? I would be keen to understand this in more details.
I think I narrowed down the search to much initially thinking RC schools only. Now I'm starting to think that a good reputation 6th form school would be enough. As a teacher- does this make a huge difference to be in a secondary school without 6th form and then needing to go to a college and then Uni? I guess some pupils would prefer to stay in the same school that they know very well. I sort out ruled out Exeter secondary schools because of lack of 6th form but maybe I should still consider a well regarded school with easy access to any local college? Otherwise I have no option in Exter and start searching in villages around