Relocating to Cheshire -what school and where to live?!

[DonnaRay]

We've just found out that we're relocating to the North West and need to live within around 30 mins of Warrington.

We have been told that Alderley Edge is a lovely place to live but i also want to consider other options. The deciding factor will be schools.

I'm looking for a good independent co-ed secondary school (ideally one that has very strict policies around mobile phone use and screen time). Kings Macclesfield sounds very good but I'd also like to consider other options too.

As for areas to live- i'd like to be able to walk to shops/coffee shops, have a train station and good local walks.

I'd really appreciate your suggestions- thank you! :)

Have you visited Alderley Edge? It is absolutely beautiful. Lovely people and lovely school. So many wonderful little shops and cafes. If you have a girl then the AEGSchool collects phones at the start of the school day.

Whilst Alderley Edge is indeed lovely, it will be more than 30mins from Warrington (and Macclesfield even further).

Altrincham is a great choice and nearer (though that would put you in Trafford for grammar schools whether you want that or not). Other popular places would by Knutsford, and smaller villages like Grappenhall or Lymm.

For co-ed independent school The Grange in Northwich is probably closest.

Macclesfield is a great town but too far from Warrington. Knutsford is better and on the M6 for easier commuting.

School wise, it depends how academic your kids are.

Kings isn't known for being particularly academic. Their results are on a par (or worse) than both state schools in Macclesfield. Their PR machine is slick. There's diversity of opinion on whether they are sporty.

AESG also not academic.

If you want academic, you need to be in the Trafford / Alty area for Trafford schools (Hale is on a par with AE but the traffic is awful). Or Cheshire but use the bus service into Withington (for Girls) which is the best Girls' school in the North West for results but known to be a hot house.

For boys, you want Manchester Boys.

Otherwise, instead of Cheshire look at Cheadle / Bramhall which has Cheadle School and OK commuting links.

Not an area I know well for schools, but Stockton Heath is very close to Warrington and I think that side of Cheshire you might be looking at Blue Coats (in Liverpool).

Or look the other side of Warrington.

We lived in Cheshire but relocated to Ormskirk a few years ago for work. A great decision and extremely pleased with our child’s school.

I’d seriously draw a circle on a map and then ask about certain towns.

30 mi min of Warrington includes all south Liverpool o

My daughter is at Alderley Edge School for Girls. It is a lovely, nurturing school. I wanted co-ed, but my daughter wanted to be at a girls school and I went with her choice. AESG does have a reputation for not being as academic as some other schools, but they have very small classes (12-14) and if your child is academically inclined, every resource and support is there to succeed to a high level. My academically very able daughter has thrived there, having previously been in a school with an academic reputation at which she was stressed and unhappy. I've been particularly impressed with the caring ethos of the school and focus on mental wellbeing. My daughter is happy, confident and flourishing. In general, the school attracts an average ability intake and the girls leave with above average grades. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. P.S as the other poster said, all mobile phones are collected at the start of the day and returned at the end.