Need advice as moving to Berkshire/Bucks

[Mrs Madala]

Hi All,

We are planning to move from Hants to Berkshire/Bucks(not decided yet whether to Berkshire or Bucks)in summer 2014 for Grammer Schools reason.My son is currently in Year4 so we are planning to move at the end of year4.
I need your expert advice which is the best place to live to secure a GS place or provide a good academic education in case not able to get a GS place.
And also please suggest me what sort of preparation is needed in year4 as part of 11+?

Thanks,

[anotherdad]

I don't think anyone is expert enough to know where the best place to live is, otherwise we'd all live there! No-one is going to know what is best for your son because we don't know him as you do. There are so many variables; travel distance, single-sex or co-educational, large school or smaller, school specialisms, extra-curricular activities, religious preference and so on. There are also plenty of comprehensives in Berkshire and Upper schools in Bucks that will provide a good education, some of which might do a better job than a grammar school. It all depends upon the child and where he is best suited.

I suggest narrowing down your preference to a particular town or towns in each county, visiting a few schools and reading some Ofsted reports and see what you think.

As for preparation in year 4, I believe that none is needed and that children should be left to benefit from and enjoy their schooling, with parental support of course. Worry about preparation later in year 5 if you and the school genuinely believe your son is suited to a GS.