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Original poster

Schools in Richmond and Kingston area

37 replies

GentleMintCat · 16/03/2024 09:39

Seeking Advice: Moving to Kingston/Richmond Area - School Choices and Neighborhood Recommendations

Dear all,

We're considering to move to the Kingston/Richmond area and could really use some advice from you about schools and neighborhoods. As I developed asthma recently, greener and cleaner areas with good local schools and communities are priority. However, not too high-end as we are looking to rent.

My daughter is in year four, so I look for primary and secondary schools. Catchment areas for both are making it even more tricky. So, your insight and recommendations would make big difference. For me great extracurricular activities and focus on sports, creative subjects, emotional wellbeing is more important than constantly achieving A+.

In this light, I also want to ask about Tiffin's Girls to understand if this could be an option fo us.

My daughter while quite strong academically and very competitive in sports, especially tennis and athletics, she's a bit shy, too polite sometimes, in large settings she might need reassurance for confidence boost. Currently, she's in a very small school and feels happy there. If anyone could comment what is overall atmosphere at Tiffin's, friendly or too competitive? Are girls supportive? Being allways under high pressure for A+, can be unhealthy. I wonder how school is balancing this? Also, it's such a large school, do they take good care of individual needs?

Thanks so much for your help! Your advice will really make a difference as we figure out our next move.

OP posts:
tennissquare · 16/03/2024 19:53

@GentleMintCat , Tiffin girls is 1 of the top performing girls schools in the uk, it's in the top 30 uk schools for Oxbridge offers including private/ mixed schools etc. If your dd achieves a place then she will be fine to keep up with the academic pressure. The tricky part is getting a place. If academic pressure doesn't appeal to you then focus on a house very near Waldegrave school.

Original poster
GentleMintCat · 16/03/2024 19:17

flutterbied · 16/03/2024 18:35

But like everywhere in the area it’s under the flightpath

There are flight paths and flight paths. Being under the incoming flight path for 12 hours a day (e.g. East Sheen, Kew, Isleworth) is a lot worse than being under one of the many departing flight paths that fan out in all directions over the borough on days when the wind is in a certain direction. We don't often notice it where we are (Hampton Hill).

We do, however, notice our beautiful parks, riverside walks etc, so it's definitely greener than many other London boroughs.

Edited

Sorry, wrong comment I choose with the previous quote.

Thank you, this is very helpful, constant incoming flights can be unbearable.

OP posts:
Original poster
GentleMintCat · 16/03/2024 19:08

flutterbied · 16/03/2024 18:35

But like everywhere in the area it’s under the flightpath

There are flight paths and flight paths. Being under the incoming flight path for 12 hours a day (e.g. East Sheen, Kew, Isleworth) is a lot worse than being under one of the many departing flight paths that fan out in all directions over the borough on days when the wind is in a certain direction. We don't often notice it where we are (Hampton Hill).

We do, however, notice our beautiful parks, riverside walks etc, so it's definitely greener than many other London boroughs.

Edited

Thank you for the comment. I know how selective they are, but I'm more interested how they balance this high academic pressure with pastoral care? What is atmosphere, etc...
She is strong academically and we can put effort to prepare her, but I want to understand if this is a right choice for her? I'm not after constant A+, on the contrary, I believe it's not natural, can be unhealthy.

OP posts:
Original poster
GentleMintCat · 16/03/2024 18:57

StrongandNorthern · 16/03/2024 18:21

'Greener/cleaner'.
Leave London.

Got your point! 😅 I'd love to, but I can't. So greener and cleaner compared to other parts.

OP posts:
flutterbied · 16/03/2024 18:35

But like everywhere in the area it’s under the flightpath

There are flight paths and flight paths. Being under the incoming flight path for 12 hours a day (e.g. East Sheen, Kew, Isleworth) is a lot worse than being under one of the many departing flight paths that fan out in all directions over the borough on days when the wind is in a certain direction. We don't often notice it where we are (Hampton Hill).

We do, however, notice our beautiful parks, riverside walks etc, so it's definitely greener than many other London boroughs.

Copperas · 16/03/2024 18:24

Grey Court in Ham is very good for Sport - and Ham is cushioned by Richmond Park on one side and the river on two sides. But like everywhere in the area it’s under the flightpath

StrongandNorthern · 16/03/2024 18:21

'Greener/cleaner'.
Leave London.

snowgirl1 · 16/03/2024 18:19

@GentleMintCat Tiffin is extremely competitive to get into. Maybe you were being modest when you were saying that your DD is 'quite strong' academically? Your DD will need to be very strong academically to get in - there are 180 places and allegedly 3000 - 5000 applicants. Tiffin doesn't take any account of sports - it's academically selective.

flutterbied · 16/03/2024 16:09

@GentleMintCat have you tried searching for previous threads on this? There are quite a lot. Maybe restrict your search to recent threads e.g. from the last year, because things do change over time. You can do that with "Advanced Search".

Original poster
GentleMintCat · 16/03/2024 13:05

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 16/03/2024 10:40

If I were you I'd dry to move next door to waldegrave

Thank you for your reply. I put waldegrave in my list. Can you tell me a bit more please from your own experience. 🙏

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 16/03/2024 10:40

If I were you I'd dry to move next door to waldegrave

12345change · 16/03/2024 09:44

Hello. Best be clear what your budget is for renting as both areas are extremely expensive to rent… upwards of 2k per calendar month for a small terrace house…that would enable posters to give better advice. Kingston probably slightly cheaper but not much in it to be honest