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Original poster

Where to move: Ham, Teddington or Twickenham

88 replies

Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 17:09

Hi Mums,

I am moving to London in a month with 2 daughters, 8 and 12 yo and I am trying to choose from below:

  1. Grey Court School - Ham
  2. Orleans Park School - Twickenham
  3. Teddington School - Teddington

My rental budget is £2500-3000 pcm. I will find the best primary possible around the above secondary schools for my little one.

I want my girls to be safe, and I would like to have some outdoor life. I went to Ham last month, and it felt a bit too quiet, whereas Orleans Park seemed a bit too crowded with the busy road.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to check on Teddington School, but I see there are some lovely riverside apartments around it, which I like.

I work from home at the moment, and I don't see that changing in the next 2 years, but it can change once kids can stay on their own at home.

I am worried about choosing with little information and getting stuck later because of the schools.

Any ideas or advice are appreciated.

OP posts:
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Original poster
Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 19:12

She is into sports and art, plays volleyball and table tennis on the school team, and plays piano. not sure how the transition will be on the sports she does here

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Curdled · 20/05/2024 19:05

Well people will answer that question based on their own preferences rather than yours.

They're all lovely areas with green spaces and close to coffee shops.

Is your child into any particular sports or hobbies?

Original poster
Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 19:01

That is great info, indeed. Thank you so much!

I realize the race is on the waiting list, and I want to ensure I rent right by the school. We want to maximize the chances of acceptance. I don't want to drive to a school we don't prefer every morning, and I am ready to pay the bill.

However, I want to understand where I will be happy to live.

Would you prefer Grey Court and life in Ham or Teddington School and life in Teddington? I have no idea about either of them, but I know I like walking on the high street, having coffee, and seeing some people around. From what I saw in Ham, there wasn't much happening in the area. Am I wrong? I haven't been to Teddington, but from Google Maps, I saw the kayak club and leisure center around the school, which seem appealing.

Meanwhile, my DD loved Grey Court when we visited during Easter break; she didn't like Orlean Park —though she hasn't been to Teddington School.

If I shortlisted down to two, Grey Court seems to have better results than Teddington, in both GCSE and A Levels.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

OP posts:
Curdled · 20/05/2024 18:30

SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn · 20/05/2024 18:24

@Curdled there is a long waiting list for In Year admission to Orlean Park. People are willing to transfer their kid to attend this school

It doesn't matter how long the waiting list is if you're at the top of it. Same with any school.

However, renting a property close enough to Orleans Park may be more expensive and competitive than renting one close to some other schools. The availability of a suitable rental property should be the decision-driver if the op wants to maximise chance of a place at any of these schools.

SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn · 20/05/2024 18:24

@Curdled there is a long waiting list for In Year admission to Orlean Park. People are willing to transfer their kid to attend this school

Curdled · 20/05/2024 18:14

@Hellenhellen if they have spaces now then they will be gone by the time you arrive so there is no point in phoning schools (and in any case school admin staff don't like getting phonecalls about this sort of thing - they're incredibly busy, so emails are always better).

What is your arrival date? Be aware that the in-year admissions process is paused in July, so apply in June if you can. You can apply from abroad and update your address when you arrive. See page 15 and 19 of the Richmond's in-year admissions brochure for details: https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/school-admissions/changing-schools-in-year.

If adding Turing House to your list, check the admissions policy carefully. Their main admissions point is in Somerset Gardens in north Teddington, not at the school itself.

Most secondary schools have families that move away and give up places, especially in July, so I disagree that you'd have to wait years. You're just as likely to get a place at Orleans Park as anywhere else so long as you're top of the waiting list when a place comes up. But some catchments are more expensive than others.

AfC Info website - Kingston and Richmond :: Community Information / Information and advice / School admissions / Changing schools in-year

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/community-information/information-and-advice/school-admissions/changing-schools-in-year

Original poster
Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 18:01

@SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn , that is a good idea. do you think they will answer, or will they simply forward it to the council, which seems to be the case on their websites?

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Original poster
Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 18:00

@poppybuttons Unfortunately, we are not Catholic, and we only consider unreligious and mixed schools. There were 4 students waiting on the list in the 0.25 miles to Orleans Park. I guess 4 students leaving is a tough chance, right?

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SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn · 20/05/2024 17:46

Call the schools you have in mind if there are free spaces and how frequently they occur. I think with Teddington you can have some luck.
Consider also Turing school

poppybuttons · 20/05/2024 17:22

Ask the council where the spaces are, I expect they will say RPA in East Sheen. You could wait years for a space at Orleans Park as someone has to leave and you have to be top of the WL to get a space.

Are you catholic as that can help to get into the Catholic schools?

Original poster
Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 17:17

@poppybuttons you now make me think, maybe i should drop my options to two: GC and TS?

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Original poster
Hellenhellen · 20/05/2024 17:16

@poppybuttons Yes, I have indeed, and you are right. Many are on their waiting list, so I have to rent right by the school to have any chance. Even then, they could place us in another school, which could involve me driving kids, and I don't want that.

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poppybuttons · 20/05/2024 17:12

@Hellenhellen , have you spoken to the council about spaces? I would be amazed if Orleans Park has a year 7/8 space at the moment. To be at the top of a waiting list you would need to rent next to the school for Orleans Park.