Anyone in Cambridge with a child at Parkside?

[Pawslikepaddington]

How are they finding it? Dp wants to move out of Cambridge to London in two years, but I am not wanting to give up a place at a good state secondary if I can help it. Is it really as good as the Ofstead (which is outstanding!!)

[Lilymaid]

I think you'd find it difficult to better Parkside in London (especially if you have academic DC who might then go on to Hills Rd). No personal knowledge, though have had DC at one of the "outstanding" village colleges just outside Cambridge.

[Pawslikepaddington]

I'm really not keen on moving out if I can help it, and the London school scrum is scaring me witless. Dd is only 5, but doing much better than imagined, so will hopefully keep up the enthusiasm!

I feel bad for keeping dp here if he really hates it as much as he says he does, as we will both be working in London, but feel I should not uproot dd if possible.

[cherryblossoms]

Hello - I was waiting to see if anyone else answered your post. I have no experience of Parkside, but ...

I think what you're asking for is a comparison of London schools v. Parkside - and I do have experience of London schools.

As Lilymaid says, you'll find it hard to better Parkside - but i guess you already know that.

Thing is, you can't base such a huge decision on schools alone, not really.

But - moving to London ... . Where will you live? From my limited experience, it is just quite tricky. And it might be a real nightmare. Although you can't make a life-decision based on schools, you'll almost certainly want to put schools into the equation if you decide to move. So then it becomes an issue of moving to London - into an area with a decent school. And finding a decent primary and secondary in an area you want to live in (ie. one that compares favourably with what you have in Cambridge,), well, that is a real tough one.

My sympathy to you. Fwiw, we looked at moving in the opposite direction - from London to Cambridge - but eventually ruled it out on the grounds that the commute back into London for work would be a nightmare. But it was very appealing ... .