Reasonable journey to Grammar

[jearund]

Crypt's only half an hour from us (10 miles) if you drive but obviously the bus takes longer because of all the stops. DD's quite happy with the bus to Ribston. It does mean an early start though - she's out of the house before 7:30 and back just after 4. Still, it could be a lot worse. Those living in places like Swindon and Bristol must have to get up a lot earlier!

[Bells]

Some good points there, thank you all for taking the time to reply.

DD was meant to travel with her dad (who works in the area) most mornings and some afternoons. It looks as our circumstances might change a bit in a few months and might need to rely on busses a bit more than planned (one bus with a walk one end, but it's a slow bus with lots of stops). We would consider moving but only when younger child is done with primary (currently Y5).

I am really just looking at couple of 'what if' scenarios and trying to organise my thoughts. It doesn't help that we are deciding now about something that will happen 10 months down the line. I would much rather keep my options open till March. On that note does anyone know if I can go on waiting list for lower preference school?

[Brackenboo]

When I was looking at options I used Google maps with directions as you can add start time and look at different bus options etc. Although for us normal bus times aren't that different to the organised school bus options I think for the first year we will go with one of them as she doesn't need to worry about changing buses, will be the same people on the bus etc. How far is the walk when it's dark etc

[2Socks]

It's a long time ago in a county far, far away, but I traveled about 12 miles to secondary and it took the best part of an hour each way, especially when the walk to/from the bus stop (and waiting for the coach) and home was taken into account. I absolutely loved my school, so it was worth it for me, but I'm very glad I didn't have to travel any longer (time, not distance, for anyone checking grammar!) It will have to be an extremely good school for my DC for me to want them to travel for that length of time. I didn't really understand how difficult it was for my parents if I missed the bus, got sick or wanted to do before or after school activities (or forgot to take something in). Normal public transport took easily twice as long (and meant additional cost on top of the coach fee). Also as someone mentioned above, waiting for the coach in the rain/snow/dark etc isn't fun, especially when the coach is late, and you end up in damp clothes for the day. I did frequently resent not living closer to the school and my friends. And missing out on all the kids TV in the afternoons That said, I loved my school and the pain of travel is (mostly) forgotten!

[Mumto3Girls]

Someone in my DDs form at Pate's lives in Cumbria...Still can't get my head around that one!!

DD does 35 mins on a contract coach which she loves as she gets to socialise with the whole age range of students from the school who live in our town (which is in Gloucestershire!!)

[cheltdad]

Someone in my DDs form at Pate's lives in Cumbria...Still can't get my head around that one!!

They surely can't be doing that everyday? Presumably it's a "home for the weekend" (at best) situation.

That said, one of the DCs that showed us round Pates seemed to be coming from Cardiff every day.

[Mumto3Girls]

Someone in my DDs form at Pate's lives in Cumbria...Still can't get my head around that one!!

They surely can't be doing that everyday? Presumably it's a "home for the weekend" (at best) situation.

That said, one of the DCs that showed us round Pates seemed to be coming from Cardiff every day.

They stay in a hotel during the week....

There are also people in DD's year from Cardiff, Monmouth, Worcester, Malvern, Bristol and Hungerford.

I don't really "get it" tbh.

The family of one of DD's good friends moved from Bristol to Gloucester when her older sister got into Pates. THAT I understand

[Brackenboo]

I can't imagine staying in a hotel during the week for school. One of the girls at Crypt was travelling from Bristol each day. I guess these children will be very well prepared for longer commutes once they are adults...

[cazien]

it's a crazy world! DS's friend lived in Bournemouth - stayed in a rented flat with Mum during the week, then went "home" at weekends

[jearund]

Someone in my DDs form at Pate's lives in Cumbria...Still can't get my head around that one!!

They surely can't be doing that everyday? Presumably it's a "home for the weekend" (at best) situation.

That said, one of the DCs that showed us round Pates seemed to be coming from Cardiff every day.

They stay in a hotel during the week....

There are also people in DD's year from Cardiff, Monmouth, Worcester, Malvern, Bristol and Hungerford.

I don't really "get it" tbh.

The family of one of DD's good friends moved from Bristol to Gloucester when her older sister got into Pates. THAT I understand

I know all the arguments that it should be entirely on merit and not distance, but as someone with a DS who narrowly missed qualifying for Pates, which he could walk to, and will instead be commuting to Gloucester, I can't help feeling that there should be a limit somewhere on distance. Living in a hotel during the week- can Pates really be worth it? Surely they could be putting that money towards an indie a lot closer to home if they want a selective school!