Commute from Highgate to Hampstead schools

[skiptatheloo]

We are moving to highgate and are considering south hampstead high as an option for our daughter. does anyone do that commute already? if so, how long does it take?

[horsemadmom]

Hi and welcome to HELL!
Just joking. It depends on when you leave and where you are in H'gate. There is a fairly useless bus route through the village and down Hampstead Lane or the C11 from the D'mouth Park side. If you drive, it should take no more than 15 mins. if you leave by 7:30- had a starbucks ritual with my kids before school. After 7:45, it gets ugly. The pick up is more complicated as you need to be parked (legally or playing chicken with the wardens) at least 20 mins before school finishes. The disparity in fees between SHHS and the other girls' indies is wiped out by PCNs.
I chose not to take the places my girls were offered at SHHS because I couldn't face the Hampstead school run anymore but know how it is done because many of my friends have girls there.

[hampsteadmum]

There is also a local private school bus project (set up by local parents) which takes children to Hampstead and Highgate schools from various areas of North London. I believe Highgate and SHHS are served by at least one bus route. Check the below website for timetables/routes etc. It will set you back just shy of £500 per term (but will probably preserve your sanity). Parents using the service are happy with it.

www.transport4schools.org/

[yesbutnobut]

How old is your daughter? If she's old enough to be travelling by herself it shouldn't be a problem but if you are doing the school run it is not pleasant as horsemadmom rightly says, the key being to get going before 8am. There is a 603 special bus service that goes from Muswell Hill to Hampstead via Bishop's Avenue which may or not help depending on where you live in Highgate. ANother option is to walk across the Heath which would be very pleasant indeed. Likely you would be able to find someone to share lifts with as well. The key is not to do this drive every day as it really saps your spirits.

[michaelaB]

Simple answer: send her to Channing or Highgate. Both excellent schools in my view as is SHHS and I've had direct experience of all three.

[skiptatheloo]

thanks so much ladies, private school bus sounds like a brilliant idea just spenny

michaelaB - also have her down for channing but they all just seem so competitive, i am widening my chances. hoping she'll make it into our local primary but chances are slim as we're not very godly!

[skiptatheloo]

trying to imagine being up, organising 3 kids and out the house by 7.30. barely rolling out of bed at that time right now.

[AgonyBeetle]

If you live in Highgate, do also consider Ashmount, Hargrave Park, Highgate Primary and St Joseph's (depending on where you live). All lovely schools, and nowhere near as over-subscribed as the church one you're presumably applying to.

And no, fwiw I would have to be ruddy desperate before I'd consider commuting from Highgate to Hampstead for a primary-age child, it sounds like your basic nightmare, every school day of your life. All that time they could be pootling around in the park instead. I'd only do it in a situation where a child had such special needs that there really was no suitable provision locally.

[Ulysse75]

Hi all,

Wondering whether the commute from Swiss Cottage to Highgate School is any different? Our daughter just received offers from Highgate, SHHS (which is walkable distance and super convenient for us) and Channing which we didn't like that much. Need to choose between Highgate which we liked a lot (and having a younger boy too) but not sure the commute is practical, especially since my husband and I are both working full time and travelling quite a bit for work. Any thoughts / advice would be welcome! thank you

[newmummycwharf1]

Hello Ulysse75

Wondering what you decided in the end. We are considering Highgate for preprep. Did you take up the place? If so, what do.you do for after school care?