Moving to South London and Schooling

[WineLover21]

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

@FunnyFinch lol yep!

to visit or were you living there?

Intrigued that you see the secondary school options as move back to Edinburgh or send to boarding school. What about private secondary day school in London?

heads up… people who self proclaim as “I just tell it how it is”… generally aren’t all that nice!

@FunnyFinch I lived in Balham for 5 years and my husband was there for 8.

This could be interesting. Not thinking that far at the moment. But thank you

Just worried that we haven't been there for 5 years

you lived there five years ago pre children. Your experience and what you regard as “good” will be very different to now

you honestly think rural scotland will be similar to SE London???

Welcome to S London OP!

We have loved bringing our kids up in an adjacent area, god knows why people are so pearl clutchy!

Wrt Balham Telferscott is a very popular primary, Belleville and Honeywell are the ones mc parents vye for a place in, Chestnut Grove very popular as a Secondary.

Up the hill in Streatham Hill house prices are cheaper (because Streatham High Rd… but even that has brilliant cafes and restaurant some posh shops now, plus the small theatre, and Odeon), and has excellent primary schools: Hitherfield, Streatham Wells and Dunraven. Dunraven is an ‘all through school’ so gives access to their sought after secondary.

This house for example would give access to those schools, is in a group of roads with a great community and has a lovely friendly small park at the end of the road
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86665044#/?channel=RES_BUY

pre children and in your twenties?

but if you had lots of family support there… why did you move to scotland for family support?

@FunnyFinch I'm not sure that's relevant. But our family situation changed.

that’s in streatham!!!!

i adore as london but streatham with a family? no

South London mum of primary age kid here, you have nothing to worry about.

This is so helpful. Thank you!

My sister recently bought a house in Streatham so they would be nearby.

Amazing! Thank you ☺️

i think you had a whale of time in london in your twenties pre children (as did i)

you moved to rural scotland and you’re bored and lonely

the last time you were happy and had fun was in london so want to go back and recreate

but i just want to i suppose warn you that being in your twenties and fancy free in london is very different to having children there

I mean they are all posh lovely areas of London so I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised!

I am in a similar boat to you. Lived in the area in my 20’s, left and moved back to the places you mention 18 months ago with primary age children.
I absolutely love it here! There is a reason they call it ‘nappy valley’. Lots of great outdoor space and young families, and it’s close enough to central london you can pop in easily. People have been really friendly and welcoming, both through primary school and on the street we moved to which had an active WhatsApp group, but individuals reached out to me separately to catch up too.

Yes, as explained in the post, it’s in Streatham.

Where thousands of happy families raise happy children in very good schools.

Great Beavers, brownies, rainbows, scouts etc. Street parties. Community growing at Hillside Park.. it’s a perfectly normal part of London in which to have a family if you don’t want to live further out and want bigger houses for your money than Balham or Herne Hill, for example.

You sound somewhat hysterical

It’s a lovely area. I know lots of families there who are very happy

Aw knickers to what others think- if you have the budget and can afford a leafy family friendly area then good on you- we lived in Crouch End when my son was small and had a great time

Depends how much you want to be in central London I guess- if that matters then Wandsworth and Balham are good - I also like nicer bits of Tooting near the common, (and I love the vibe in Tooting) Wimbledon, Kingston, Ham and Teddington

I don't live there now but lived in London for years, in Notting Hill, Swiss Cottage and Putney.

Contrary to popular belief, I've always found Londoners to be friendlier, warmer and more open-minded than anywhere else - I think it's a great place to bring up children if you find a decent area!

If your eldest is 4yo...
You need to be aware you've missed the school admissions date. When were they 4? If they are nearer 5, it could be they ate supposed to be in Reception already.

This means that many popular schools may be full. They have to find you a place, but it may be further away and in an unpopular school... some ate unpopular because they ate bad, some just because they aren't as desirable as surrounding schools.

You will need to move quickly to maximise waiting list opportunities.

However I'm guessing the schools in the million pound areas aren't quite as bad as those in other areas, even the less popular ones!

@SheerLucks I agree- just pick the leafy areas full of families if you want that kind of community feeling