Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Where to live, South of London/ Surrey with outstanding state Co-ed secondary schools

29 replies

Lightbulbs · 30/12/2023 16:52

AIBU to ask if this is realistic?

I currently live near Dulwich but I am looking to move as we can't afford private and are not in the catchment of any very good/ Outstanding primary's and secondaries. We'd also like a slightly bigger home/ garden.

I have 2 children, 8 and 6 and so secondary schools is my top priority.

What I would love in an ideal world:

Top budget: £900k
An outstanding Co-educational state secondary school. Plus if there is also an outstanding primary that would be a bonus.
4 bed, with a study as my husband works from home.
Commute no more than 1 hour into central London.
Areas I am keen on: Bromley direction
Family live in Oxshott, Surrey but I feel it's quite expensive. Family also live in Ladywell.
A country feel....not too remote but village feel.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:
manoffthelead · 30/12/2023 16:55

Have you looked at Guildford?

Talkinpeace · 30/12/2023 16:58

Liphook
Petersfield
Alton
Winchester
Hartley Wintney
Fleet

Zuve · 30/12/2023 16:59

Come to Liphook. The schools are outstanding. Good shops, super countryside and friendly

Zanatdy · 30/12/2023 17:01

My children go to an excellent state secondary (Riddlesdown Purley.) For 900k you’ll easily get a nice property and 30 mins from riddlesdown into Victoria. Lots of lovely walks - countryside too. A few outstanding primaries too, Atwood being one near to riddlesdown). My kids have got top grades from the school and I’ve been very happy with it

OneTC · 30/12/2023 17:01

Carshalton or Wallington

LakieLady · 30/12/2023 17:07

Does it have to be Surrey, or would you consider Kent?

If so, Tunbridge Wells might suit. You could get a pretty good house for
£900k and it's a lovely town, plus they still have state grammar schools.

dingledells · 30/12/2023 17:09

What about Kingston way? There's Kingston Academy & Orleans Park for secondary? Definitely a few outstanding primaries.

Or Cheam/Sutton way, some excellent primaries & some outstanding mixed secondaries.

If you were open to single sex you would have more options?

What you may struggle with is finding a house in budget that ticks both the primary & secondary options as many move after getting dc into primary. As you want to move in year you may struggle for places and have to wait. London schools have falling rolls but I believe the trend is reversed in the boroughs I mentioned due to people moving out & Hong Kongers coming to the areas.

dingledells · 30/12/2023 17:12

I also wouldn't just look at the schools Ofsted rating, look when they were inspected. More importantly look at the actual results & progress 8 score, you can have a good school with a higher GCSE results etc

Original poster
Lightbulbs · 30/12/2023 17:15

Thanks.
I'm a teacher myself so know too well not to rely on an Ofsted report done 10 years ago...
I'd like Co-Ed specifically, not single sex 👍🏻

OP posts:
Original poster
Lightbulbs · 30/12/2023 17:15

Thank you all for your suggestions so far... I will have a look

OP posts:
WinchyGirl · 30/12/2023 17:19

Winchester has excellent state primary and secondary schools. Westgate just had Ofsted a few weeks ago and have been rated outstanding. Kings and Henry B are also very good schools.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 30/12/2023 17:24

If you don't want selective, then Hampshire is the place to be. Decent "leafy" comprehensives.

I'd suggest places like

Fleet
Odiham/Hook/Hartley Wintney
Petersfield
Alton

None of those are too far from London by train. For your budget you will get a decent house in all those locations.

Winchester and Guildford are also great places to live (but more expensive). I am not sure about schools in Guildford though - private seems to be far more of a thing. I also like Reigate but am not well enough informed about schools or house prices.

dingledells · 30/12/2023 17:27

@Lightbulbs i just thought I mention the other things because your post specifically mentioned you were looking for "outstanding" schools & obviously the framework only changed a few yrs ago so many schools are still awaiting a new inspection.

dingledells · 30/12/2023 17:31

Assuming you are discounting faith schools I can only think of Harris in Beckenham in terms of Bromley.

Original poster
Lightbulbs · 30/12/2023 19:46

@dingledells thanks. I'm currently in the catchment of a few 'outstanding' Harris Academies but I'm not a fan.
Thanks for all your help so far, it's greatly appreciated

OP posts:
dingledells · 30/12/2023 19:51

Yes, i’m in education too. Harris are quite divisive aren’t they. I don’t have direct experience but have a friend with a dc in one and she is not happy but others rave about them.

Helfa · 30/12/2023 20:02

I grew up in a village just outside Dorking, in the Surrey hills. There are some great schools in the area, and it’s less than an hour by train to London. My family home is for sale (although much less than your budget, but there are others available) if you are interested in living in a lovely village with a great primary school. Go on Rightmove and the postcode is RH5 5LB. It’s a great place to raise a family - we moved there from south London when I was 5. Just an idea!

Charlingspont · 30/12/2023 20:14

Farnham? South Farnham Junior is a very good primary school as is Waverley Abbey Junior, and Weydon is a very good senior school. Or Godalming - Busbridge is a good infant school and Rodborough is a good secondary.

As for sixth form colleges - take your pick - Godalming, Alton, Farnborough - some of the best state provision in the country.

Original poster
Lightbulbs · 31/12/2023 14:11

@Talkinpeace @Zuve
I've never heard of Liphook before and it's perfect- thank you so much for you suggestions. I love Liphook Infant/ Junior School, Bohunt appears to be a fantastic secondary. An hour into Waterloo, 25 mins to Guildford, 30 mins from family 🙌🏻

Are there any obvious disadvantages to this area I am not considering before we start looking at properties?

Thanks

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 31/12/2023 15:30

@Lightbulbs

Are there any obvious disadvantages to this area I am not considering before we start looking at properties?

No.

Its a lovely area.
I've driven past Bohunt multiple times at kickout and the kids are good.
6th form is either Farnborough or Symonds or their own one.

Nice walking, nice pubs, easy access to everywhere
Enjoy

Araminta1003 · 31/12/2023 15:48

If you don’t mind Bromley/suburbia, a friend moved to Hayes and is raving about Hayes secondary there, which is an outstanding state coed comp.

HappyHamsters · 31/12/2023 15:51

Beckenham, Bickley and Bromley has several outstanding primaries

crispsnotchocolate · 31/12/2023 19:03

Guildford and surrounding villages are lovely but house prices are high. County School in Guildford itself is very popular as is George Abbott in Burpham. Fast train to London takes 35mins.