North Lincolnshire the best place to raise children

North Lincolnshire is the best place for young families to live, a study conducted by Oxford Home Schooling found.

In the local authority, 86% of its schools are scored highly by Ofsted, though one in seven (14%) of the student places available were not filled last year.

With its average wage (£25,000) representing 17% of the area’s average house price (£149,000), it’s also an affordable place to live.

Dr Nick Smith, principal at Oxford Home Schooling, said: “All parents want the best education for their children and many will go to extreme lengths to get them into certain schools.

“This may involve moving house to be within certain catchment areas. For those considering such action, our research has highlighted the local authorities which offer quality education in areas where houses are most affordable.”

The second best place was Torbay in the South West, followed by North East Lincolnshire.

The worst local authority was Lewisham in London, where the number of students applying for school places was 35% higher than the amount available, despite less than two-thirds (64%) of the schools being rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.

With houses averaging nearly £400,000, and wages just 9% of this (£35,000), it’s an expensive place to live too.

The second worst was South Gloucestershire in the South West, followed by the City of Bristol in the South West.