Chingford E4

[YasminR2010]

Hi all, I am new to this site and was wondering if I could have some advice. My family and I are thinking of moving to Chingford and have seen a few lovely properties - the area has some good schools, plus the option of grammar/private schools. The houses are bigger and area generally more leafy. My hubby and I are working professionals who will need to commute to central London for work. Recently I have been concerned about levels of racism in the area. We are from an asian muslim background and from a few people I have spoken to it seems the area was quite racist in the past - has this changed? I don't want my forever house to be a place my children and family will not be safe and feel unwelcome. What have other peoples experiences been?

Hiya, do you mean North Chingford rather than the mount, which is nowhere near as nice? It’s a lovely area with a nice high street, access to Epping Forest. I would never have associated it with racism. Highams park is lovely too.

Hiya, thanks for getting back to me. I've also seen a really nice semi off larkshall road - which would be in the chingford hatch area. I've heard parts of chingford hatch aren't as nice. Is this true?

There are some lovely roads off larkshall. The hatch isn’t as nice but that’s more towards the Friday hill area. I would go for viewings and walk around and you’ll soon get a feel for whether you’re in a nice part or not.

LBWF has lots of areas marked for building flats so it is worth looking into. They currently planning (passed at a council meeting) on using North Chingford Library site and building a block of 40 flats with community stuff under and there are a few other places earmarked.

Chingford Hatch would put you in Heathcote catchment for secondary and Whitehall or Longshaw for Primary probably.

While not of the same background as you I have friends in the area who are and they haven't mentioned any problems but that isn't to say there aren't just that I haven't been aware of them.

Thanks LouisLitt1 for the advice 🙂

Hiya, thanks Sixgeese for getting back to me and making me aware of new building developments - hadnt even looked into that. With regards to racism - have you lived in the area long? Has it changed much? More diverse?

I was born in Chingford and am 48 this year, I moved away for 3 years in the early 2000s but appart from that have lived here all the time.

There has always been a mixture of nationalities here, I was taught how to wear a sari when I went to a friends house for tea when I was in junior school. I think it has been getting more multi ethnic over time and all three of my children have a different cultural background and faiths amongst their friends.

I moved away from Highams Park not long ago after living there for 6 1/2 years- it’s a nice area, for quite a village-y feel to it- a few independent shops and cafés/restaurants and some nice parks as well. I don’t know what the schools are like and being white I can’t speak to the racism issue- I didn’t notice any, but I suppose I wouldn’t! The area around the high school and the park is quite nice, some lovely houses. 4 trains an hour to Liverpool St, good bus links to Woodford and Walthamstow as well.

Thanks for all the information AngeloMysterioso much appreciated 🙂

I'm glad to hear the area is more diverse - I also think its important for my kids to have friends from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Thanks for your feedback sixgeese 🙂

Hi all,
Does anyone have a child at Higham Park School in Chingford E4? I wanted to get some first hand reviews of the school - not just from ofsted and official docs.
What do you think of the school standard of education?
What are the kids like?
Is your child happy there?
Do kids from different backgrounds get on?
Any advice will be much appreciated as always 🙂

@YasminR2010 you might have better luck joining local Facebook groups and Nextdoor for things like schools advice.

Yep my son goes to HP, and while it's got its issues as any east London comp will, I cannot fault the staff and management.

They are really committed and serious about young people's education and well being. I would be happy to send my younger child there when the time comes.

Thanks talllikejerryhall and AngeloMysterioso for the info.

Hi @YasminR2010,

Do you mind me asking what you decided in the end and how it turned out for you? I’m in the same position as you - thinking of moving to Chingford or Highams Park and wondering how inclusive and diverse they are (we are a mixed family), and also how good the schools are. Like you I’ve read the ofsted reports but want to get people’s own experiences.

Thank you!

Hi Jennydot,

Yes we moved last summer - I love the area. There is a good mix of people from different backgrounds. Overall everyone is very polite and friendly. Happy we made the move as the area is much nicer then our previous one. The area is very leafy - we are close to many forest paths and Higham Park - great for walking/jogging.
With regards to schools - my daughter managed to get a place at a grammar so I didnt take up the place at the local comprehensive - which would have been Higham Park School. From all the literature and virtual tours it seems nice - but I dont know anyone whose kids attend.

@YasminR2010 Hello sorry to open this up again but wanted to ask whether you ended up anywhere near Larkshall road, viewing something there tomorrow and like you have similar concerns. I know you said you are happy with the move but wanted to check where are we like the bits near Highams park station but worried about Larkshall road hits