Moving to South London and Schooling

WineLover21 · 2024-03-14T08:01:27+00:00

We are planning to move to South London with our kids (from a fairly rural part of Scotland). Absolutely terrifying. Any tips on schools and how to know what schools to get into? Looking at Balham, Wandsworth, Earlsfield area. Also totally scared about doing this with kids. Any advice appreciated

Pickleslovesourdough · 07/07/2026 07:47

@WineLover21 I was wondering how you are getting on? Hope you are enjoying your time in Balham!

coldbrocisbest · 31/05/2024 16:11

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minipie · 07/05/2024 08:30

Yes although some kids do afternoons instead and from age 3 they can do some full days (ie school hours).

Original poster

WineLover21 · 07/05/2024 07:50

minipie · 26/04/2024 16:38

What kind of nursery - full day or nursery school? For nursery schools you could try Marmalade Caterpillar (mine loved it there). Others: 345, Noah’s Ark, Eveline, Rainbow, Balham Nursery (this one is state, distance based admissions).

Is Marmalade on 9-12?

Thanks

OP posts:

minipie · 04/05/2024 17:07

I have a friend with children at Ravenstone who is very happy with it.

Original poster

WineLover21 · 03/05/2024 17:52

Thanks guys! Any reviews on schools such as Ravenstone and Alderbook?

OP posts:

SpanThatWorld · 02/05/2024 10:57

Have a look at Apples & Honey Nightingale

Whatkindofworld · 26/04/2024 17:02

Congratulations. Balham is a great place to live and so family friendly.

minipie · 26/04/2024 16:38

What kind of nursery - full day or nursery school? For nursery schools you could try Marmalade Caterpillar (mine loved it there). Others: 345, Noah’s Ark, Eveline, Rainbow, Balham Nursery (this one is state, distance based admissions).

Original poster

WineLover21 · 26/04/2024 15:18

We've had our offer accepted in Balham. Yay!

Can anyone recommend any nurseries?

OP posts:

goneforaquickrun · 16/04/2024 08:52

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MyKidsAreTooNoisy · 14/04/2024 11:39

Congrats OP! I’m sure you will be very happy in Balham as you have already lived there and it’s only got better.

Original poster

WineLover21 · 14/04/2024 11:30

Our house has sold!

Got three to view in Balham 🎉

OP posts:

brocollilover · 03/04/2024 19:07

WineLover21 · 19/03/2024 15:14

Great, thank you so much! Starting to excited now as we've had our mortgage approved today!

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Have you decided on location OP?

trackertoo · 29/03/2024 07:00

op… any developments?

Original poster

WineLover21 · 19/03/2024 15:14

Wilkolampshade · 18/03/2024 18:31

With little ones definitely get yourself near a park OP, as PP up thread suggests.. Even with a garden of your own, they're lovely on a Summer day and most of the areas mentioned above have a villagey feel so people do tend to congregate there after school etc. Might make settling in easier.
Sounds like you're going to have a lovely time.

Great, thank you so much! Starting to excited now as we've had our mortgage approved today!

OP posts:

Wilkolampshade · 18/03/2024 18:31

With little ones definitely get yourself near a park OP, as PP up thread suggests.. Even with a garden of your own, they're lovely on a Summer day and most of the areas mentioned above have a villagey feel so people do tend to congregate there after school etc. Might make settling in easier.
Sounds like you're going to have a lovely time.

minipie · 18/03/2024 13:36

I don’t know- it looks like their holiday club is for age 3 up but not sure about required age for term time wraparound care. Worth asking, it’s run by Schools Out.

Original poster

WineLover21 · 18/03/2024 08:15

Can anyone share thoughts on Ravenstone? The nursery hours don't seem very long! Can you extend?

OP posts:

Octopuslethargy · 17/03/2024 22:40

SquirmOfEels · 17/03/2024 22:21

They're easier to get in to because
a) Belleville is now a group of 3 schools, so has far more places
b) they've changed the rules on siblings for Honeywell, so that the sibling link only counts if the family still live within a certain radius of the school

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And less children in Wandsworth

SquirmOfEels · 17/03/2024 22:21

minipie · 17/03/2024 09:45

In addition to the schools mentioned above I believe Ravenstone is really well thought of. Belleville and Honeywell too although mixed views on the upper years at Honeywell recently. Catchments are small but getting bigger due to dropping birth rates - not nearly as hard to get into these schools now as it was say 5/6 years ago.

I would highly recommend living very near a park with those age kids and especially coming from rural. Luckily there are plenty around. Gardens tend to be small but if you look at the Culverden/Dornton road area you can find some long gardens.

Would your husband be commuting daily and if so where does he need to get to ? as you probably know streatham is train rather than tube. Balham has both. Tooting tube.

They're easier to get in to because
a) Belleville is now a group of 3 schools, so has far more places
b) they've changed the rules on siblings for Honeywell, so that the sibling link only counts if the family still live within a certain radius of the school

SpanThatWorld · 17/03/2024 10:42

There are different views on what constitutes a "good" school. Do you want 4 year olds in blazers or kids calling teachers by their first names? Wandsworth has schools with every possible ethos and lots going on for kids.

I grew up in Hammersmith and we always thought the area sarf of the river was a bit of a desert! I came back half a dozen years ago and I think it's a great place to be a parent.

Ginmonkeyagain · 17/03/2024 10:14

Look at SE London, your budget will get something very nice and large and the areas are family friendly and much greener.

If you go out to places like Bromley and Beckenham you can be in catchment areas for some of the Kent Grammar schools if that sort of thing is your bag.

Excited101 · 17/03/2024 10:06

I’ve been living and nannying in south London for nearly 20 years, Forest Hill is a bit of a sweet spot, as is West Norwood but Dulwich and Herne Hill are nicer (and more expensive!) look at the transport links from the different stations as to where DP will need to get into, look at the school catchment areas and go from there.

minipie · 17/03/2024 09:45

In addition to the schools mentioned above I believe Ravenstone is really well thought of. Belleville and Honeywell too although mixed views on the upper years at Honeywell recently. Catchments are small but getting bigger due to dropping birth rates - not nearly as hard to get into these schools now as it was say 5/6 years ago.

I would highly recommend living very near a park with those age kids and especially coming from rural. Luckily there are plenty around. Gardens tend to be small but if you look at the Culverden/Dornton road area you can find some long gardens.

Would your husband be commuting daily and if so where does he need to get to ? as you probably know streatham is train rather than tube. Balham has both. Tooting tube.