Yorkshire
 

Well after 4+ years in New Zealand we are in the process of hopefully moving home. We still haven't convinced our daughter but are really trying.

Anyhow, we are originally from the Midlands but really like the look of Yorkshire. We need a school for our eleven year old who would go into year 8 in September.

So, does anybody have any suggestions re schools? areas? We love the look of knaresborough but can see it is quite expensive and we won't have much money. The school is the most important thing to us so any help would be greatly recieved.

Thanks

Carole

Re: Yorkshire
 

There are some of the best schools in Yorkshire-

Ampleforth College, Ampleforth College, York - Full Boarding, Day, BOYS: Senior, Sixth , GIRLS: Senior, Sixth

Queen Ethelburga's College, Thorpe Underwood Hall , York - Full/Weekly Boarding, Day, BOYS: Nursery, Pre Prep, Prep, Senior, Sixth , GIRLS: Nursery, Pre Prep, Prep, Senior, Sixth

Queen Margaret's School (York), Escrick Park, York - Full/Weekly Boarding, Day, GIRLS: Prep, Senior, Sixth

Ripon Cathedral Choir School, Whitcliffe lane, Ripon - Full/Weekly Boarding, Day, BOYS: Nursery, Pre Prep, Prep , GIRLS: Nursery, Pre Prep, Prep.

Reed School, Drax, nr Selby http://www.readschool.co.uk/ (Good school, but be warned, the biggest coal fired power station in Europe right on it's doorstep!)

Some of these institutions are feeder schools to Eaton!

There is a 'golden triangle' in Yorkshire that is known for its very high house prices. It basically runs from a point from the North of Leeds up to Wetherby and then goes over towards York taking in places like Boston Spa.

I am from near York and can I suggest a few of the places just outside of York like Haxby just to the North or Bishopthorpe, Copmanthorpe or even Cawood (known as the Windsor of the North and very close to the Queen Margaret's Girls School) which is a little further South, all nice places and all within good school catchments and within a good distance to most of the independent schools I mention, with the exception of Ampleforth which is a fair way North and Ripon.

And commutable to Leeds if you cannot find work in York. House prices in York itself are expensive.

If I had a daughter I would send her here I think - http://www.queenmargarets.com/

Hope it gives you a few ideas anyway.

Re: Yorkshire
 

Hi,

Thanks so much for your ideas. We just want a good run of the mill secondary school though.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Re: Yorkshire
 

I can only really comment on what I know and that is schools in York -

http://www.york.gov.uk/education/Sch...ols_directory/

The links to each of these secondary schools take you to the OFSTED reports, I would suggest that you have a read over these reports.

You should be able to find the OFSTED reports for all secondary schools in the UK.

York as a rule has a pretty good standard of school compared to other major centres in the North of England and is generally a nice place to live. Many people get around by bike and has a nice environment.

Good luck :fingerscrossed:

Re: Yorkshire
 

I lived in Knaresborough for years. King James School, the local high school is excellent and most K`boro kids go there. Otherwise Harrogate is on your doorstep and also has good state schools.

Re: Yorkshire
 

PM me if you want any more info on Knaresborough!

Re: Yorkshire
 

Yorkshire is gods country!!! Knaseborough, leeds,york all beautiful but pricey, try looking at the suburbs, Ossett, Horbury....fantastic state schools

Re: Yorkshire
 

Leeds is probably the most vibrant area with the most facilities and is the second largest financial centre in the UK. The cheaper areas are located south of Leeds in places such as Castleford, Wakefield, etc. as opposed to the "Harrogate side of Leeds" which can be pricey. Places around Ilkley are nice and there is a direct rail link into Leeds (Wharfedale Line) which takes about 15 minutes. Leeds is also easily accessible from Harrogate by rail.

Re: Yorkshire
 

I came from nr Ilkley and grew up in guiseley all my life - oh the heart yearns:o !! House prices are quite high, but there are some still a few good deals to be had. The schools are of a good standard. The surrounding villages have vibrant communities and a in the country feel with easy access to Leeds/Bradford. I should have stayed in Burley in Wharfedale - lovely village, fantastic school and great community!! Boo hoo! I would stay away from anything nearer to Bradford. Anyway, good luck with the move back:)

Yorkshires a great place to start over, friendly people, fab countryside, great pubs!

Re: Yorkshire
 

I second the recommendation of the Ilkley area. Ilkley itself can be very pricey but the areas around there are all great.

Skipton is also lovely and an easy commute to Leeds.

Finally, the area around Sherburn-in-Elmet is less expensive than those two and still nice. Villages such as South Milford, Church Fenton, Hillam and Barkston Ash are all nice and cheaper than the Ilkley area. There are trains to Leeds from South Milford and York is an easy drive away. This area is flatter than Ilkley and Skipton but still pretty.

Yorkshire is a great choice! Truly God's own country with the friendliest people you'll find anywhere. Good luck!

Re: Yorkshire
 

Interesting, I came from Ilkley and later lived in Guiseley. Then I later lived in Oakville for a number of years. Guiseley is a perfect location, safe town, 10 minutes to Leeds or Bradford by train for work and shopping, etc. and 10 minutes from Ilkley where you are on the doorstep of some of the finest countryside you will find anywhere. Best of both Worlds. Skipton is now only 30 minutes from Leeds by rail and property prices are lower than Ilkley, as you would expect.

Re: Yorkshire
 

What about the weather up there? Is it much colder than the south, or just a little?

Re: Yorkshire
 

Not helpful given the context.

Re: Yorkshire
 

Yes, i would say it does get colder than the South and more rain. It doesn't always get the warmer weather either, however, we are on the right side of the Pennines:p, so not as bad as Lancs. We may not get the best of the British weather (or the worst), but we make up for it with great people and cozy yorkshire pubs!

Re: Yorkshire
 

[QUOTE=johnh009;9231420]Interesting, I came from Ilkley and later lived in Guiseley. Then I later lived in Oakville for a number of years. Guiseley is a perfect location, safe town, 10 minutes to Leeds or Bradford by train for work and shopping, etc. and 10 minutes from Ilkley where you are on the doorstep of some of the finest countryside you will find anywhere. Best of both Worlds. Skipton is now only 30 minutes from Leeds by rail and property prices are lower than Ilkley, as you would expect.[/QUOTE

mirror image of lives!! Presuming you are not in Oakville anymore? Are u back in the UK of somewhere else in ON?
I was back in Ilkley at Xmas, such a gorgeous town, what i love about it, is you have the backdrop of the dales in the background, yet the town has really good trendy restaurants/bars/shops and always a good atmosphere! Love the river and park too - u take for granted how stunning it is when you live there.....

Re: Yorkshire
 

As somewhere to live Yorkshire is a great choice!You get the benefit of city and countryside close together. It`s also a good place to bring up a family. Have we sold it enough yet?

Re: Yorkshire
 

You should have gone back, your heart belongs there, still.;)

Re: Yorkshire
 

I know it hun! Too late now, house bought......... gonna give it one more year then re evalute - my heart and even more so my husbands is there. So much vibrancy, life, excitement, depth, buzz, culture, something i find will always lack here for me, but its great here for the kids yeah;) ;)

Re: Yorkshire
 

It is great here for the kids, but UK not that bad for kids, most of the kids there grow up great!;)

Re: Yorkshire
 

Totally agree, where we were was great for kids, the school the eldest went to was a fantastic school, her friends were all great kids. Nowt wrong with the UK, nor with Canada - i just know where i should be and i'm not!!

Sorry, we are hijacking thread - to the OP, go for it in Yorkshire - u can't go wrong!!

Re: Yorkshire
 

So true. I was at college there back when the old college was still a college and I didn't appreciate it the way I would now.

One thing that strikes me is that we're all talking about pricey areas of Yorkshire. The OP said Knaresborough was pricey and Ilkley and Skipton are no less expensive. It's worth noting that South, West and East Yorkshire are all much more reasonably priced than North Yorkshire.

Hebden Bridge is a great little town full of life and culture, although quite rainy just because it's in the Pennines. In East Yorkshire, Beverley is a lovely market town. I'd also look at Holmfirth near the Peak District, which is where Last of the Summer Wine was filmed. There are small towns and villages around Sheffield that I hear are very nice, although I personally don't know that area.

Then there is Whitby on the coast, which is lovely but maybe too far from commuter centers.

If I had my way, I'd live in Swaledale, which is quite simply the most beautiful place there is, but also remote.

The weather in Yorkshire varies - it's generally colder in the East and rainier in W Yorks, but I still remember plenty of nice summers. Don't let that put you off - no matter where you go, the people are fabulous.

Re: Yorkshire
 

Thankyou so much for all the helpful replies. :wub:

We are most definately sold we just need to do some investigating. Secondary school is a big factor but also affordable but you've given us a great start.

Thankyou

Carole :thumbsup:

Re: Yorkshire
 

Why ???????????????????????????????

My Nephew goes to one of those school and he certainly comes from a less than wealthy background. He managed to secure a scholarship which are offered by the majority of these schools.

Why shouldn't those on lower incomes or with little money consider these places?

Why not aim high even with little ? Why not try and obtain the best ?

You don't know unless you try and this original posters daughter might be a talented individual, I don't know and neither do you.

I am sorry but I hate it when people think they should be excluded from looking at certain places on the basis of wealth.

But that is the socialist comign out in me, but as a socialist I guess I should be against such institutions in the first place :o

But for me the more students from a variety of backgrounds managed to get in to these kinds of places the better. And what is to stop the posters daughter sitting a test for a scholarship as my Nephew did?

Re: Yorkshire
 

I am in Malvern, Worcestershire. I decided to move back and take advantage of the drop in the pound and house prices over here.

Re: Yorkshire
 

I'm looking at North Yorks, maybe Thirsk, Ripon or places closer to Middlesbrough on the Moors. I'm also looking at Weardale which has some great deals. Of course jobs can be hard to find so its good to be self employed or just plain rich.

Re: Yorkshire
 

I love Yorkshire - it's great and so varied environmentally. I went to Yorkshire for the first time of my life when I started at uni in Leeds in 2000, and took a wee while to fathom out the local accent. Leeds is much more cultural and interesting a city than I ever imagined it to be, and day trips on research purposes out into the Dales and to the various places there with strong literary connections, such as Haworth (the Brontes) and to all the fabulous ruined abbeys and monasteries (Fountains, Rievaulx etc) as well as the huge country mansions and estates all over this very large county administratively partitioned off into several units.

And of course the sheer history and majesty of the city of York with its Minster with a magnificent rose window, and the other cathedrals and minsters such as Ripon and Beverley. York is beautiful with some strange names for some of its streets and the city is home to people like Dick Turpin, Guy Fawkes..... and Dame Judi Dench, who I adore. Dame Judi is a National Treasure. I've seen her on stage several times, and her screen performances are legendary. I adore the world of the arts and Yorkshire is not short on those at all. I loved my time at Leeds - great fun but hard work, too.

I was a wee bit surprised to be addressed as "luv" by some male bus drivers - but I really liked it. ;)

Re: Yorkshire
 

K'boro and the whole Harrogate district is awesome, beautiful country, lovely people. And if you like great little pubs, K'boro has more than its fair share.

King James school in K'boro.

Good luck..

Re: Yorkshire
 

Thanks so much. Were looking into everywhere suggested.

Carole

Re: Yorkshire
 

Hi there, if you dont mind me asking why are you going back? I know Torbay quite well bit pricey on the bays. I used to live in Glenfield.

Re: Yorkshire
 

Hi,

Torbay is lovely but we have had enough. New Zealand is a lovely place I believe if you have small children. After that I find it quite boring and hate feeling retired.
We can't afford a house and things here are very expensive.
Another major factor is the schooling. Only my opinion but very relaxed. I really don't think the schooling is a patch on the UK system. It is very reliant on what your children are willing to research and do for themselves.
Our daughter is doing very well at maths having spent hours on a UK website last year teaching herself.

I miss my sister, miss Europe and miss lots of shops and choice of food.

All my opinion and I know there are people here who love it.

Carole

Re: Yorkshire
 

Hi, it is expensive for sure. Having worked in numerous jobs i found the feeling of being a Pom and not one of their own a bit much. They certainly liked giving it out but couldnt take it i found. Making yourself fit in can get you down after a while i found it all very false but horses for courses as they say....

Re: Yorkshire
 

I'm also thinking of returning to Yorkshire. Went back to visit family last October for first time in 3 years. All nieces and nephews are getting to that age where they are fun every minute, 5 to 10 years old. Fantastic place compared to Thailand in terms of hospitals, schools, roads, rivers, air quality, normal day to day things like shopping. Business in Thailand is VERY hard, for the non-local, corruption at every step in the government, customs, tax office etc.

Re: Yorkshire
 

how about Settle in North Yorkshire?? I lived there for several years and it is a beautiful place and made lots of lovely friends. Only 20 mins into skipton, hour each way to Manchester or Leeds:wub:

Re: Yorkshire
 

I can see you have quite a knowledge of Yorkshire but you forgot that other famous adopted Scotsman - James Herriot.;)

Re: Yorkshire
 

Interesting - I have thought of Settle as a possibility but haven't been there yet. May visit when we go back to the UK later this year. Train connections are the only worry.

Does it have a thriving sense of community? Friendly people? I'd love to know more.

Re: Yorkshire
 

is definately worth a look:thumbsup: We have very many happy memories of living there and made some fantastic friends who still live there. There is a train service though i cannot remember how regular, there is also a train service on a different line from Giggleswick (lovely name hey). Settle and Giggleswick kinda merge into one. Do you have children? There is a shiny new primary school with a very good reputation. There used to be a Middle and High school but it has now changed so kids stay at primary for extra year and then go straight to high school. If you decide on a visit let me know and i can arrange for my best mate to meet up with you and give you the insider knowledge :thumbsup:

Re: Yorkshire
 

Hi,

Can you tell me what the secondary school is like? Do you know how well it works with the kids doing an extra year at primary? Our son would start year 8 so you mean he would be a new starter like every other year 8?

Thanks

Carole

Re: Yorkshire
 

True enough - apparently he was an irascible old sod and must have adopted the Yorkshire tendency of telling it as it is, no half measures - and I soon found out that the Yorkies don't hold back on telling you what they think, which is probably why he became much respected in the Thirsk area of North Yorkshire where he practised.

A well known American writer now permanently resident here in the UK - living down in Norfolk now, in East Anglia- Bill Bryson, who has had a permanent love affair with Great Britain and is currently President of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England....the only thing that winds him up about this country is the widespraed practice here of leaving litter lying about in profusion. It drives him bloody bonkers.

Bryson lived for a while in the wilds of North Yorkshire and he very much appreciated the way many of his farming neighbours would acknowledge him when he drove past them driving in the opposite direction by simply raising their index fingers off the steering wheel while looking straight ahead, all deadpan in expression...the only sign of recognition, and he described them as the salt of the Yorkshire Dales earth.

He also describes the deadpan straight faced sense of humour displayed by a railways ticket office man at a train station somewhere in Yorkshire. Bryson was writing a book at the time based on his travels all around the UK and as a result had to keep all receipts for monies paid for future reimbursement by the publishers or some such people. He asked the booking clerk for a single ticket to Settle, or some such place and asked for a receipt for the fare paid. The clerk told him that the cost would be £18.40 or whatever but also told him that the ticket was free but he had to charge £18.40 for the receipt.

In his book Bryson siad that had this occurred back home in the USA the passenger would have cussed like crazy and indignantly yelled back at the booking clerk "Hey, buddy! - what kinda cock-a-mammy set up is this?"

Re: Yorkshire
 

When I was two, my parents moved out of Leeds and into a small North Yorkshire village to give me a better place to grow up. My dad finished work early on Fridays and every Friday lunchtime, he went to the local chippie. Year after year he went there, and year after year they never said a word. Then after 13 years, he walked in one lunchtime and the owner nodded to him. Just a small nod, nothing special, but my dad was thrilled! Then as he handed dad his food, he said 'So lad. How are you settling in?' It took 13 years to get that level of recognition and dad couldn't stop talking about it! :lol:

Re: Yorkshire
 

Hi Carole, the secondary school is pretty good - well it was when my eldest went there LOL Here is a link to it http://[URL="http://www.settlecollege.org.uk"]www.settlecollege.org.uk[/URL]/ That will give you all the information you need. Only negative i have about the living there is that there isn't a huge amount of stuff for teenagers to do - BUT it was never a problem for my kids - lots of sports so if that is their interests they will be good. There is also a private school in Giggleswick which is a boarding school but takes day students too, here is a link to there, (it has an excellent reputation and has students from worldwide that go there due to its reputation) http://[URL="http://www.giggleswick.org.uk"]www.giggleswick.org.uk[/URL]/ Whilst i am on the subject of schools Skipton has a Boys Grammar school which also has a great reputation http://[URL="http://www.ermysteds.n-yorks.sch.uk/homepage.htm"]www.ermysteds.n-yorks.sch.uk/homepage.htm[/URL]
My ex husband lives in Skipton and its a beautiful place to live right on the edge of all the Yorkshire Dales :-) Hope this is some help.
:wub: