Chipping Campden or Chipping Norton School?

[Threecouldbefour]

Thinking of moving from the South East to the Cotswolds, with a view to DJ doing one or two days a week in London. We have looked (online) at Chipping Norton School and like the look of it for our 13 and 10 year old dc but also considering Moreton in Marsh so wondered if anyone could tell me about Chipping Campden School please? It appeals due to the broad range of subjects on offer - especially the performing arts side. One dc is more physical/performing artsy and the other is more academic. However, it's important that either school is strong in its pastoral care as one of our dc has been rather let down by that side of things in current school - we really need to get this right.

Any information on either school would be hugely appreciated - thank you.

DH - not 'DJ'!

Don’t know about chipping campden but chipping Norton school, heating great things about. Lots of friends children there, new head, new focus on academic & pastoral care. Very positive.

Hearing

Hello,
I have two children at Chipping Campden School, and can honestly say that it's fabulous. The new Performing Arts 🎭 centre, due to be completed in the next 12 months looks amazing.
Pastoral care is very strong, with a pastoral leads for each year group, as well as academic ones. The Hive is the pastoral centre on the school's campus where children can go for extra support/ counselling etc.
Great range of subject offered and very happy children. Both of mine want to stay on to the sixth form.

If you’re looking at Moreton, Cotswold School in Bourton on the Water would also be an option.

Hi,

Thanks so much for that information. Really helpful. It sounds as though they are both good schools. I have to say @sacredtulips I think the performing arts studio looks as though it's going to be fantastic. It would suit our eldest down to the ground. Can I ask, do they choose their GCSE options in Year 9 at Chipping Campden School? Here, it's Year 8, which with an August child, just seemed really early.

Is transport good to the school? I'm guessing many children require it due to the large catchment area. My husband could consider using Kingham station so could look in that area whilst remaining in catchment.

Thank you so much for the replies.

Hello Threecouldbefour,
Yes, they choose their GCSE's in Year 9.
Great variety to choose from, plus some twilights if they particularly want to do an extra one. X

Forgot to add, most children travel on one of the many school buses. There are lots of different routes, which go through the catchment villages. X

Hi @sacredtulips

Thank you for that. It's really frustrating not being able to look at the school in person so your knowledge is really appreciated!

You will love living in the area and many commute to London. Chippy and Campden and Cotswold all good rural comps. I would say First Cotswold, 2nd Campden, 3rd Chippy for Academics yet Chippy, Campden, Cotswold for pastoral. From Moreton children can go to the Warwickshire/Cheltenham grammars so go over results with a fine tooth comb and make sure you are comparing like for like and not their headline results. Campden’s catchment is more rural & refined, Chippy is a working town with a wider range of housing and wealth & more connected to Oxford/London. From Kinghan you would only be certain on a place at Chippy.
Good Luck!

Hi @Beachcomber74

Thank you so much for your reply. I read it a few days ago but then my app logged me out - now I seem to have my old username and old posts in my ‘I’m on’ section so I’ve had to search for this!

It was really interesting to read how you view the schools in order of academic/pastoral. We are really looking for good pastoral support as our daughter is very young in her year and just needs that guidance and to feel supported. I actually think Campden would be best fit in terms of Performing Arts though. It seems to be taken seriously there (audition to get into dance in sixth form, professional performances etc) I’m wondering how long the bus journey is though if you’re on a school bus from more towards Kingham (whilst being in catchment).

May I ask if you have any experience of the commute from Moreton in Marsh/Charlbury/Kingham? We are getting to the point of putting our house on the market which seems crazy when we haven’t visited or tried the commute ourselves but we don’t have the luxury of time on our side with needing to be in place for start of new school year - and a baby due in August! Thank you again.

Hi Op

A friend of mine works as a teacher at Campden and loves it. You will have to be careful to check catchments if you want to get your son in. They are massively over subscribed. I think they often get twice the amount of applications as they have places.

Good luck with it all.

So exciting op.
It might be worth contacting the CCS Admissions Officer ( I think her name is Wendy), who is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. She will be able to advise you of likelihood of admission to the school, regarding any areas or villages that you are considering buying in.
I know there is a catchment map, but there has also been lots of house building in Moreton and the school is always very over subscribed.
I don't have any personal experience of the commute to London, but know lots of people who do it.
Good luck op. X

The commute once or twice a week would be ok but depends where in London he needs to get to. The shape of Campden’s catchment is quite random if you like what you see then go for it but you do need to be super close. Longborough Opera run a youth program which would be of interest Performing Arts is a priority. The new block has been a long time coming and whilst decent the drama/dance at Chippy is more renowned in the area. Moreton would be a good fit for the commute & catchment but there aren’t many houses with big gardens, the new builds are on small plots.

Thank you so much for the additional replies. I didn't realise that CC was so over subscribed. Thank you for into My instinct tells me we would be better placed near Chipping Norton - possibly near Charlbury for station anyway as it's better commute for my husband, closer to Oxford and Witney for a few more amenities. My husband is best to go into Paddington so that would be fine at least.

Posted by accident! Sorry. Was meant to say thank you for the info about the lady at CCS who knows about catchments.

I am so desperate to get this right. Feels as though there is a lot riding on it. Our eldest daughter is currently at an Outstanding school across the road from us but she just drifting - she isn't a particularly high or low achiever and isn't a trouble maker, and is therefore seemingly being left to just do the bare minimum a lot of the time. She isn't achieving what she is capable of. This coupled with some nasty incidents at school which have taken a long time for school to address, has left her feeling uncertain and uninspired. She needs higher expectations - not unrealistic ones but ones where she feels people believe she should do her best. I did like that CNS seemed to be strong on individual experiences - getting the best out of every pupil no matter what their ability. @Beachcomber74 I'm really interested by your comment about dance/drama being more renowned at CNS. I worried slightly that the dance courses are GCSE and A Level 'equivalents' but my daughter just loves it and would be happy with any course at this stage I think. If it was slightly more practical based then that would probably suit her better.

I don't suppose anyone has any knowledge of dance schools in the CN area please? I have looked at Chipping Norton Dance School (fine but rather different syllabus), Jill Stew (in Witney and too many nights) and Sheila Price in MIM but doesn't do examinations in all genres. I was wondering whether there are any dance schools around Oxford/Banbury or anywhere else that do classes all day on a Saturday? Our daughter used to attend one like this and it suited her well as she had the week free for homework.

Also - Charlbury Primary? Am I right to be a little cautious on that? It hasn't been inspected since moving to a Trust but last inspection was Requires Improvement. I watched the open day video and felt the Head Teacher wasn't very confident and it all seemed a bit wishy washy. We like the look of Charlbury and it's well placed for train, CNS and Witney but our youngest will start school in a couple of years time so it's important.

Sorry for asking yet more questions. I'm just trying not to make the same mistakes we made when moving down here. Thank you!

Jill Stew is by far the best & if you’re coming from London will be more on par with what you’re used to. Chadlington is a really lovely village and short hop to Charlbury for the train, I’ve heard great things about the Primary and you’d be in catchment for CNS. I’m not sure re Charlbury primary but doesn’t sound ideal from your first impressions.
If you join the local Chipping Norton and Campden facebook pages you can ask more targeted questions. I would focus on which school then go from there re where to live as the catchments are so small. Chipping Norton would be a great choice if you don’t want to feel isolated in a quieter village. There are a big wave of people coming from London so you’re not alone!

Thank you @Beachcomber74.

We're not coming from London - Hampshire, but my husband works in London usually. He's hoping he will continue working from home more now. The market town we are currently in only has one dance school. Jill Stew looks amazing but I just don't understand how people from CN manage it as it would be hours every night if my daughter was to do all the classes she does now (X2 as they expect two a week of each!) She does 3 fairly long nights a week here.)

Thanks for the great advice re areas, trains etc. Just have to hope a house comes up now. 5 beds for £900K max. Waiting for someone to tell me not to be so silly!