Houses and schools

WashingTime

Hey everyone

The better-half and I are relocating for work.

We're using a rented place to give us a foothold in our new city (York), but hope to buy in the not-too-distant future.

We've explored the city and quite like one part (Bootham). But the school isn't great (I think it's Clifton Green, for those who know the patch).

Now we don't have children yet, but would like to. That still means it's going to be 5/6 years before schools become really relevant though.

Would you be concerned in our position?

We're minded to go for it as there are so many variables, but something's making me uneasy...

Any experience / advice or thoughts?

Fire_Fox

If you are just renting, then rent wherever you like and get to know the city.

mummyroysof3

Rent wherever then think about schools when you looking to buy

WashingTime

Thanks - to clarify, we're already set-up and renting.

It's the commitment to buy in Bootham with a dodgy school that's the issue.

mummyroysof3

Depends if you want to buy there then move again when school is an issue. What is it about the school that puts you off? School could change in that ammount of time either way tbh

Yorkie1

Edit: I wrongly assumed OP was referring to secondary schools (no idea why!).

Hence have struck through original comments.

Clifton Green School is in one of the more deprived areas of York, which is reflected in some of the Ofsted comments.

However, my initial comment that York has an excellent overall record for its schools remains. If you could aim for a different school then you would clearly be more happy, but bear in mind that 'requires improvement' is the new rating for what was previously a 'satisfactory' Ofsted mark.

[STRIKE]
None of the schools in York are bad, compared to many many other parts of the country. York has had superb overall results for years.

Canon Lee is, I think, the school you refer to. It has a slightly worse reputation, it's true, and a wide catchment area that includes some more deprived areas of York.

Probably the better schools in York are JoRo, Fulford, and Manor (although I have heard that that is trading a little on former reputation these days). The second division schools are probably York High, Canon Lee, and Millthorpe.

Canon Lee's Ofsted 15 months ago gave Satisfactory grades across the board, and the remarks of the inspectors show that even then, the school was making progress in weaker areas.
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/121662

[/STRIKE]

Only you can decide what acceptable to you, but in the scale of things I think you are underestimating the quality of any of York's schools.

vegasbaby100

Here is the Clifton green breakdown

http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=121283

Not the best reading from 2012 but year on year against LA and National is strong.

Looking at the figures High attainers do well but also middle atainers scores are decent too.

One thing which i find a good indicator is self generated income as it gives you an indication of how active the parents association is.

best of luck. We spent a year finding a house by a school we want in case cant carry on affording fees.

de_g.

1) Schools change over time - I'd not read much into where a school is now as an indication of where schools are going. Senior leaders move on, a new housing estate or new school could see the intake change drastically, etc. The new Ofsted framework is actually seeing quite a few formerly outstanding or good schools downgraded as the earlier frameworks made it very easy for those schools to coast while maintaining their rating.

2) When you have children, their achievement at primary school will be influenced to a much greater degree that at secondary school by the input you have as their parents. So prepare yourself - learn about child development, make sure you've got the support network, etc

3) You have time now to influence how the school your child goes to will develop/improve by becoming a governor of the school. On the expectation I'd be in the area for several years, I became a LA governor at the local primary even before I had children; by the time my son (now 1) goes to the school I will have put in seven years working with other governors and the staff of the school to support its improvement, so I know that he'll be going somewhere which has both a quality of education and an ethos that I want for him.

4) What is the early years provision like in the area? That is a more pressing issue - your child will likely spend at least two years (more if both of you go back to work after maternity leave is over) in nursery care, and however good the primary is poor progress at the early years stage will leave your child behind, whereas good progress will see them make decent progress overall even if the primary progress is only average.

de_g.

vegasbaby100 wrote: »

Here is the Clifton green breakdown

http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=121283

Not the best reading from 2012 but year on year against LA and National is strong.

Looking at the figures High attainers do well but also middle atainers scores are decent too.

One thing which i find a good indicator is self generated income as it gives you an indication of how active the parents association is.

best of luck. We spent a year finding a house by a school we want in case cant carry on affording fees.

That's the picture of a school heading for academisation soon. Performance is patchy, and while there is some qualified praise for the school leadership in the recent Ofsted it's bordering on weak overall. Attendance is also poor, which will impact on attainment of pupils.

(All of which will mean by the time your children are there, it will be a very different school, so to make your house purchase decision based on it as it is now seems a bit irrational.)

sugarwalsh

So much can change in that amount of time - and I hate to point out the obvious, you are taking it for granted that you can have kids. I would buy where you are happiest buying, irrespective of schools. When/if you have a child you can always move or just take your child to a different school if you decide you prefer a different one.

dimbo61

I live near one of the top schools in cheshire with high grades and a top ofstead report. now a foundation high school and new sixth form.
So house prices on my estate have remained high.
We now have the situation where parents are renting in the catchment area too get there kids into the school they want.
So buy the best home you can afford in the best area.
PS York is a beautiful city