Considering a move to rural Norfolk with teenagers, schools and community

[EMac99]

Hello, my partner and I are considering moving to Norfolk from Essex - we're on the very edge of London. I grew up in Norfolk and we regularly visit as we have a static caravan near Cromer, which we love. We have two daughters, 14 and 12, with very different academic capabilities. We're looking at an area between Aylsham and North Walsham and wondering about schools. Any insight would be welcome. I'm also interested in how others have found the move - I know all the obvious things about time it takes to get anywhere, what its like in Winter, less diversity etc, but I'm keen to know whether there are others like us - we're professionals in our early 50s - who have made the move and managed to find friends, create a network, get involved in civic life sort of thing. I love meeting new people and find it relatively easy to make friends, I suppose I'm looking for a little encouragement that there are others like us around! Thank you.

Norfolk has quite a lot of ex londoners

14 isn’t a great time to move in terms of schooling - have GCSEs been started or not yet? Matching GCSEs and exam boards can be tricky.

Yes, aware of that. We'd probably be looking to do something at this sort of time in two years with oldest seeking a college place and youngest starting GCSEs somewhere.

If you are not near a rail station, public transport is limited. Aside from schools, worth checking where some basic facilities are.

Cultural life such as theatre, cinema and the arts generally is good in Norwich.

Worth looking into whether they would enjoy a young farmers club? You don’t have to be a farmer to join and you develop so many skills from veing a part of it, and it might be a good way to expand on their circle beyond school

Is there a reason why you’ve picked that specific area? Are you looking at state or private schools?

Norfolk is fabulous and that area is particularly nice - lovely countryside and near the coast. Aylsham and Holt are lovely towns. Norwich is a great city but you'll be about 40 minutes away. With all that in mind, you'll be very happy if you and your kids like rural life. If you're into shopping and culture, you'll spend all your time going to Norwich, though there is a train so you don't necessarily have to be stuck in the car all the time.

Aylsham has a well-regarded secondary. For sixth form things seem to be in flux and I believe the sixth form in Sheringham is closing. There is Reepham though which is fine. If your eldest is very academic, it may be worth travelling to Norwich for sixth form - there are some excellent places including a maths/science specialist college (Isaac Newton). If you're looking at private, there's Gresham's.

Here is another thread about moving to Norfolk.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/rural_living/5513981-moving-to-north-norfolk?page=1