Hi All,

We are thinking of moving to Shrewsbury, Bayston Hill to be specific. Hubby works in Craven Arms and commutes from Staffs which is getting to much in time and petrol.

I've heard the Oakland Primary School at Bayston Hill is merging with the other school. Does anyone know when the merge is planned? Our son is 8yrs in class 4 so was thinking the merge might not happen too soon.

Any info on Bayston Hill and the school welcome.

Thanks
Belinda

The date for the merger was 31/08/09. Don't know if that has altered but this link should give you the background

http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/youngpeople.n...02573DF004270AD

Thanks that link is very helpful. May consider some other areas around south Shrewsbury. Any other school suggestions. We would favour a smaller school as that's what we are used to.

Thanks
Belinda

This a link to a list of Shropshire primary schools

http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/schools.nsf/o...0256C78004C82A5

There's a smaller school at Dorrington (69 pupils) just a few miles south of Shrewsbury off the A49.

Hi MissLindy,

We moved to Shropshire in December. We looked at all the school catchment areas, primary and secondary. We have three children aged 3, 8 &, 10. After a bad experience with a couple of primaries, one where my eldest was bullied all through infants but the school was great and the other where the kids were alright but the ethos of the school was nialistic (sp?). We moved to Sutton Farm and then and only then went venturing for a school. It was actually our catchment school, Holy Cross on Wenlock Road which won hands down and we haven't regreted our decision once. Our eldest no longer screams at the gate and clings onto me for dear life or tries to jump in front of a car because a new term has began! No kidding! Both our daughters are really happy to be going to school. Our little boy started at the Kingfisher nursery school, which shares the same site, in April and really, really loves it there.

There is going to be a merger though, with the infant school. No difference really as the junior school's head went on long term sick leave last december and the deputy has been acting head for a while now, she is really lovely, brusque but down to earth. It should all remain the same except that there will probably be one head instead of two, no difference as I have said.

The school can take in 60 per year but it is realistically 45. They merge the years in the juniors, lower school a mix of yr3 & 4 and upper yr 5 & 6. It has a really caring environment, doesn't exclude parents but works with them.

The Sutton farm area is really nice and quiet too. Very easy access onto the A49 South (we have family in Hereford so travel that way a lot) or the A5. Easy to access the inner ring road and can walk into town easily too. A great spot for getting about and a real mix of homes. The council estate near the school is pristine too.

Hope that helps.

The wife and i have lived in Sutton area since 99, wife was from this area so wanted to return. Our son has just left Holy Cross for big school, certainly did'nt do him any harm. A merger is on the cards with the infants next door but they have very close links already. The majority of the council estate is privately owned and blends in with the surrounding houses well, theres a newsagent and butchers near the schools and a 5min walk from them a small Co-Op with Post Office, pharmacy, off-licence and chip shop opposite a pub. One of the better areas in Shrewsbury i think. :)

Following on from Geoffum2....

Some our neighbours on the Farthings estate, east of Sutton Road, moved form a semi to a detached within the same estate! Also, as we have been gradually getting to know people, there are a lot who moved from other parts of Shrewsbury and are really happy here. And others who have stayed for decades. It is VERY safe and quiet. If you have a dog, you can walk along Rea Brook which is a wildlife conservation area.

Geoffum.

Which secondary school did you choose as we have just been doing the rounds and need to make a decision?

Thanks.

My experience of the secondary schools schizoidgal is that it all depends on the year they go up with which can be dire or good which ever school.

Belvidere is supposed to be good and your catchment I think.

hi missliddy i agree with you that i think a small school is best as i did myself and think it means te teachers are more aware of what goes on.
i went to dorrington primary school and my son now goes to the nursery there and loves it. it is attached to the school so it will be easier for him when he goes to the actual school. i think it is quite a nice small achool and from there the children go to church stretton school which is again quite a small but good secondary school.
i always thought for my children i would have them go to either stretton school or priory when older and this is still the case.
we have considered moving to town and if we do it will be radbrook end for the schools etc or we will stay here and the kids will go to dorrington and stretton.
never did me any harm lol :P
good luck
and also nice to hear your enjoying it here schizoidgal and happy with your choice :D

Schizoidgal, we chose Belvidere. Did some research on-line and there ofsted reports were very good. He's on a 2 day trip to London taking in 2 west-end shows and the science museum :o

If looking for a rural/village location, then I would suggest checking the original list of school closures as there were many village schools earmarked for closure, with the council changing their mind and only proceeding with bayston hill, lydbury north and merging infants and juniors in the towns. However, being cynical it won't be long before the school marked 'at risk' are up for closure again. I don't think Longden was at risk, and that is the 'right' side of town for Craven Arms.

Which secondary school will very much depend on your child - some might thrive in a huge school such as Meole, but a lot of them (me included!) will hate it. Church Stretton is a smaller school and has a good reputation.