Advice about moving to Forest Hill

[Heath3]

Hi Ladies,

DH and I currently live in SW London and are thinking of moving to Forest Hill. We have looked around the area and really liked what we saw and the great community spirit. We saw a few houses and have narrowed our search to a few that we like. We have a DD who is about to turn two so schools are high priority.

The properties that we like are in Waldenshaw, Manor Mount and Sunderland road. Our top choice would be the first but after posting about it in the SE23.com forums a few people suggested that that street may be a bit of a catchment Bermuda triangle. I just wanted to see if there is anyone living near there whose DCs have started reception in the last few years who might give me some advice.


Should I concern myself overly with catchment areas or move into a property we like (since the whole catchment changes year on year anyway)

[MrsHoolie]

Hi there. I'm actually in sydenham not forest hill so can't comment on the schools there. Also,I moved into my house many years before kids so didn't even think about schools at all.
You can research and see what distance the schools took children from however as you say this changes. I would recommend you join SE23 Mums group on Facebook for advice.
Lastly,Forest Hill/Syd/Beckenham/Crystal palace have loads going on for young children and I think you'll be happy. Plus we go shopping to Bromley rather than going into town or to Bluewater.

[Rose4]

Hi op I am in se4 so just down the road and in my opinion you do need to consider catchments now. I would go and look round the schools now tbh just to suss them out. It's a massive stress working out what school you can get into so save yourself the trouble!

[Heath3]

@MrsHoolie, thanks you I have asked to join the FB group. Will ask there as well.

@Rose4, we just started considering SE4 as well. Have never been there but were told it is nice as well. Do you like it there? We saw a few houses on zoopla near Hilly Fields that look good , but again not sure about catchments etc. Will have to do more research. Are there any particular areas to avoid? We also would need a good nursery. Would you recommend any?

[Rose4]

Brockley is lovely, but it's really expensive now so not quite the haunt of publishing/charity/architect types it once was. We have nice cafes and nice parks. If I was starting again I might move to Hither Green as they have a good train system and really nice schools and parks and are still reasonably priced. Brockley is lovely though and we have been happy here for over 15 years. Our DD goes to a lovely primary school near Brockley Station where she is very happy. If I had the choice of any of the primarys in Brockers I would go for Myatt Garden, Beecroft Garden, Edmund Waller, Gordonbrock or John Stainer. We have friends whose children go to each of those schools and all are happy with them. Most people aim for the Haberdashers Free School on Telegraph Hill, because it's straight through to 16 but it didn't exist when we were looking. Moving to Hilly fields would make it awkward for you to get into the catchment for one of those schools unless you were in the catchment of Gordonbrock IYSWIM. Have a look at the houses on what is called the Heath Estate - they are really nice Heath Estate and not as pricey as Telegraph Hill. pm me if you want any specific advice and good luck!

[Rose4]

sorry forgot about the nursery! This one has a really amazing reputation www.chelwood.lewisham.sch.uk/ and this is run by the woman who used to run my DD's nursery. It's quite small, but the staff there are marvellous. www.bebrightprojects.com/bebright-bunnies-nursery.html

[Rose4]

@Heath3

[Heath3]

Hi @Rose4, thanks a ton for your suggestions. We have found a house in FH and fingers crossed hope to move in a few months.

[Rose4]

Good luck!