If you’re a family planning a move to the South Cotswolds to coincide with the new school year, now is the busiest time to be looking. School admissions processes for September starts are moving apace, and the best family homes to rent in our area don’t sit on the market for long.
Whether you have a toddler about to start nursery or a teenager heading into sixth form, timing your move now means you’ll be settled, unpacked, and ready for that first day of school without the last-minute scramble.
Here in the South Cotswolds, families have a real advantage. This region offers some of the best schooling choices in the country, with excellent options at every age and stage, across both the state and private sectors.
We are here to help you find the best rental homes near the schools that meet your family’s needs.
Outstanding state schools on your doorstep
Our region is particularly well served by strong secondary schools, and several carry Ofsted’s top ratings.
Malmesbury School holds an ‘Outstanding’ rating across the board, including its quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership and sixth form provision. As a result, this school stands out as one of the best comprehensives in the region.
In Tetbury, Sir William Romney’s School is rated Good by Ofsted, offering a strong, well-regarded education for the local catchment.
In Wotton-under-Edge, Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School (KLB) is one of the oldest state secondary schools in the country, with roots stretching back to 1384. It also holds a Good rating, with particular praise for the quality of its sixth form.
Families looking towards Chippenham have two excellent options right next to each other. Sheldon School and Hardenhuish School both hold Good ratings and are recognised locally for their strong, well-rounded approach to education.
For those wanting a more selective route, Stroud is home to two outstanding grammar schools. Stroud High School was rated Outstanding across every category in its most recent inspection, and Marling School, the boys’ grammar with a co-educational sixth form), has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence.
A wealth of private school choice too
Families considering independent education will find some genuinely special options nearby too.
Beaudesert Park School in Minchinhampton ranks among the region’s most popular prep schools. It takes children from 3 to 13, and offers a traditional, all-round education with great facilities in beautiful Cotswold grounds.
Near Tetbury, Westonbirt School offers day and boarding education from age 2 right through to 18. The school sits within 210 acres of stunning parkland, and was recently named Co-educational Independent School of the Year. Westonbirt also runs around ten daily bus routes connecting the school with surrounding towns and villages.
Over in Stonehouse, Wycliffe College provides day and boarding education for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. The school welcomes a genuinely international community of pupils.
And for families happy to look a little further towards Bath, the exceptionally popular Kingswood School offers co-educational day and boarding from just 9 months right up to 18. Set on a 120-acre site in Lansdown, the school has built a strong reputation for pastoral care.
Easy to get to, wherever you choose
One of the quiet strengths of our area is how well connected it is for school travel. Independent schools like Westonbirt, Beaudesert and Kingswood run their own extensive daily bus networks reaching villages and towns across the region. Local authorities also provide transport for pupils travelling to state secondaries such as Sheldon, Hardenhuish, Malmesbury and KLB. In practice, this means families have far more flexibility over where they choose to live, without the school run dictating the choice.
We know this area, and we’re here to help
Choosing where to live is about more than bricks and mortar. For families, it’s about finding the right home in the right place, with the right schools nearby. Our region caters brilliantly for excellent school options for all ages, covering both state and private.
If you’re looking for a new family home and need great schools close by, we can help. Our advice is founded on genuine local knowledge and experience.
We currently have some superb family homes available to rent across the area. Take a look at our latest properties. We would love to talk through what options would work best for your family ahead of September.
