alimay68 said:
Oooh, thanks everyone ... I've been in Oz for 12 years, but I'm actually from Leek originally, though I used to have German lessons with a lovely lady on the Parkside estate and worked at Schott Glass for 3 weeks in the 90s (are they still there?). So..... would like to be closer to family, but also somewhere a bit different with good infrastructure (ie close to motorway), a safe environment to bring up kids, neutral accent, close to the countryside for walks/bike rides, good supermarkets (Tescos and/or Aldi)....
I will have to look up Castletown, which a few of you have mentioned, as I've generally been researching around Walton on the Hill. I like the look of Walton Hill High School and also Barnfields Primary School. Has anyone got any thoughts on these two schools? The Ofsted Reports I've read (albeit a few years' old) aren't exactly outstanding; more good-satisfactory. I'm concerned for our son who turns 11 in October, who would be commencing Yr 7 in September next year and I think he would be overwhelmed by a huge high school. He's quite small for his age, coupled with being the 'new kid on the block' with a different accent and no familiar friends, he'd be susceptible to bullying.
As for our housing budget, I'd say we might have to rent for a while, but would be looking for a 4-bed or 3-bed + study with a garden (conservatory/utility would be a bonus)! An older type house would be the go (ie, not a new-build).
It's a big wish list ... but then, we're making a big move and our kids' well-being is of utmost priority ...
Any more thoughts and tips, please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Alimay,
My hubby works in Schott Glass.He must have been there when you went. He used to work down the the warehouse,but now works in the offices. It is still there,but a lot of the building is now being rented out to other companies and they only have the one warehouse.The company shop outlet has gone as well.They don't sell the Chrystal glass any longer.It is mostly Lab-ware and Industrial glass.There must only be about 20 Schott Glass staff employed there now.He has been lucky to survive the several rounds of redundancy so far.
As to areas to live,I live on Wildwood and although we do have a few 'nutters' around lately it is still a nice area to be in.
My son went to Barnfields primary which he enjoyed and was doing really well in.When he left Barnfields,the teachers expected him to go on to do well.He now goes to Walton High School (now year 9) and although he seems to be enjoying it, his work has gone really down-hill in some subjects and no-one seems bothered about it! His best mate's dad ,who works for Ofsted,has taken him out of Walton and sent him to grammar school.
I went to Walton (I was actually the first year in when it opened)and came out passing all of my exams.But I don't think lately that it is living up to its reputation for being an excellent school.
I work as a catering assistant in Walton High School Kitchens and have seen some bullying .It has been a bit better since this new Head Master has been in charge but ,although the teachers say otherwise,I can assure you it is still going on.But there again,you will get bullying in most schools I suppose.
As to him being the 'new kid on the block'. The school has about 5 feeder schools and when they put them into the Tutor groups they mix them all up, and they are rarely with the same 'best friends 'as in primary.They soon make new mates from day one. They stay in the same Tutor group throughout their school life and new kids coming to the school are soon welcomed into the tutor groups. There are a few children with Australian,Canadian,New Zealand etc accents and they seem very popular with the others .
Hope I haven't put you off it now,just telling it how I see it!
Any more info I can help you with just ask.
Good luck
