Moving to London with kids but commuting to Oxford….

[Vienna1970]

Can anyone help? My family is moving to London from Vienna, Austria in summer 2016, and the more I learn about London schools, the more my head swims. My kids will be 11 and 15, respectivelyso not at the typical intake points. (If I understand correctly, the younger one, born in May 2005, will be in year 6a worry since that means he would have only one year to go at primary school before having to switch schools again the following year, which we'd rather avoid). We'd prefer state schools, but we have a long and complicated wish-list:

Schools:

• academically challenging, but putting inquiry and exploration over test scores;
• good learning support for the younger one;
• Latin, German, science, art for the older one (since she's academically gifted, she could theoretically qualify for a grammar/selective school, but I don't know how this would work given the timing of the move);
• 'all-through' for the younger one, so he doesn't have to switch schools again after just a year.

Neighbourhoods:

• good tube (and/or cycle?) access to Paddington or Marylebone (I need to commute to Oxford several times a week);
• parks and greenery (I fantasize about a garden…)
• not outrageously expensive, of course.

Any suggestions about particular neighbourhoods and/or schools would be helpful, as would advice on general strategy. For example, should we consider renting a place now, even though we aren't moving to London for more than a year? But what if we move someplace only to find there are no places available at the nearby schools in their years? Can we find out which schools have spaces before we decide where to live? I'm very confused!

No experience of London, but your May 05 born DS will be started Y7 in September 2016, so that will be the start of Secondary school.

I expect someone with more knowledge about London will come along soon.

Good luck with the move

Do you mean summer next year?

A May 2005 child would be in yr 5 now going to yr 6 in September, so by summer 16 would have finished year 6. So going to secondary in the sept 16. Your problem would be that you would miss the application round for Yr 7, and have to take whatever place is left over. You normally can't apply for school places until the children are resident here with an address, though if you are crown servants that is different.

For the 15 year old things will be very hard im afraid as they will be transferring at a key stage in the GCSE exam process. A child who turns 16 between 01 sept 15 and aug 31 2016 would be doing their GCSEs in spring/summer 16, if she turns 16 between 01/09/16 and 31/08/17 she'll do them in 2017, and if she's transferring from a completely different system that's going to be very very hard. If she's doing IBACC it would be easier.

Somebody may come along with more information about the schools (grammar system) in Buckinghamshire but a few people I know who have to work in London and Oxford actually live close to a station on the Marlyebone line and commute by train into London and drive / train to Oxford.

I would look around the Ealing / Acton area. There are some good secondaries and you can get trains to Oxford from Ealing Broadway (either direct or change at Slough or Reading). The closer you are to Paddington / Marylebone the more expensive the property.

Thanks for noticing my mistake, TONQSNG and PH! This is pretty crucial information. I'm certainly not a crown servant. Follow-ups: 2) Does anyone have experience of London state schools that offer IBACC (George Green's, e.g.)? 2) "You will have to take whatever places are left over" after the application round for Yr. 7: this sounds dicey…. Has anyone gone through this? Thanks again….

The worry is more the older child. She will be starting school and doing gcse's that same year. She will have limited choices in lessons as a result.

Thanks, summer ends and CBA - good tips, I'll investigate. Re: Buckinghamshire, though, we're city people, so I'm not sure that would work for us (although the fantasy of a house with garden remains).

Have a look at Dame Alice Owens in n london and Dr Challoners in bucks

Dame Alice Owens is very good but very sought after. The catchment area is about 5 streets, otherwise it's entrance exams.

locrating.com/ might help a bit.

There are a number of private schools that are used to "migrant" families going in and out at unusual points. I don't have any experience of them and they might not be your cup of tea but schools like North Bridge House, Portland Place and The Harrodian come to mind.

I wonder if for your elder child might do as well with an number of home tutors for the 1 year they would have for GCSEs? Again no experience here, but with only 1 year it might give them more flexiblity and chance to get through the exams?

Personally I'd be more inclined to live in Oxford, maybe near the new station.

My DD is in year 11 (the year when they turn 16 between the beginning of September and the end of August) and she had a new pupil join from overseas this year. Her school did devise a special and limited timetable so she could get 5 GCSEs rather than the normal 10 or more. You eldest could probably also get a GCSE in German with little/no teaching. Art would probably not be possible as you have to produce huge multiple Portfolios with a lot of analysis.

However if you DD is 16 by summer 2016, then she would be about to go into sixth form. This could make things more complex but give you more choices. You could even apply at the normal time for schools/colleges to study A'levels as well as IBac etc.

Have you looked at Europa School in Culham, Oxfordshire? It is a state school, I believe. They say they will offer IBACC by 2017. You could live in Oxford, husband could commute to London (60 mins), train to Culham is 10 mins. If you like a village, you could try somewhere like Pangbourne which is beautiful. I am not sure how you get in.

There is also the German School in Richmond but that is private. You would also be looking at a very long commute (having said that Richmond is very nice & expensive too)

I'd definitely go for living in or near Oxford and commuting down. The other way round makes no sense, given what you've said.

Are your children currently schooled in the Austrian system and in German, or are they schooled in English/another international system.

I agree with PP that the Europa school in Culham may meet your requirements more closely than a more standard English state school.

The op says she only has to commute to Oxford several times a week so not too onerous for her if they live in London - will her dh be working in London?

Hello all--thanks so much for the suggestions and discussion! The kids are in the Austrian system now, but next year the younger one will attend the American School. Currently we're focusing on London rather than Oxford since my partner may have an Mon.-Fri. job in London, whereas my schedule is more flexible, so I would not need to commute daily. (Mellicauli, yes, otherwise the Europa School does sound as though it would meet our needs perfectly!)

If you were considering the private sector then I would have a look at ACS Hillingdon (or the other ACS schools) as your DC might find that easier to fit into.
www.acs-schools.com/acs-hillingdon

There is also the American School in St John's Wood which is private. Property in the area is expensive but it is well placed for both Paddington and Marylebone.

What would be your budget for buying/ renting? It will affect everything.

Dame Alice Owens is in Potters bar which isn't near Oxford or London, unless there is another one?

What about Hertfordshire? Lots of choice of schools.

Difficult journey to oxford in rush hour from Hertfordshire though

Most people who work in London commute in (including from Oxford). One of the American schools could be a good solution if you can afford the fees. I might consider ACS Egham as possibly easier to get to Oxford as well. TASIS isn't that far away from that area. Where in London will your DH be based?

A lot of people also commute to/from Oxford on the Oxford Tube coach service, which leaves from Victoria... might open up your options a bit? I used to make that journey all the time and found it perfectly comfortable (and a lot cheaper than the train, if that's a consideration.)

The options that came to mind are Chesham/Amersham if interested in Grammars. On the tube. On route to Oxford. However not urban. Should get a garden. Info on 11 plus entry on the 11 plus forum.
If you want urban what about St Marylebone school near Regents park so greenery nearby. You would need to rent very close to the school to get to the top of the/waiting list.
If you are/any particular religion there may be places at religious schools but they are often very popular.

Except that the journey into London from Oxford is very do-able (train more reliable than Tube, which can get very delayed in congestion). And the OP says they like green - much more plentiful in Oxford than London. Not much difference in schools, but far pleasanter surroundings, and property marginally cheaper, like for like.

OP of the suggestions above of where to live I think Ealing is probably one of the better ones from a logistical perspective. Some suggestions on moving forward:

• say you like the sound of Ealing. The Evening Standard regularly publishes school league tables, based on Department of Education info but cut by London borough - will try and post a link. This gives you an idea of which schools have high academic headline scores
• however it's only part of the picture because the schools with the highest score are usually selective in some way
• if you like any of these then look at the admission criteria - eg exams taken early in y6, musical ability, faith and work out if any apply to you and your DCs
• don't discount the comprehensive options based on results as a school that properly bands its intake will have lower headline results but still be a good school

I think that the Good Schools guide people offer a consultancy service - a friend relocating to London from Dubai used it and was really pleased. They looked at all options not just private.

What people aren't mentioning is that you need to be in catchment in December for a chance of a Year 7 place in September. It might be best to find options for your son that don't require you to be in catchment.

There is another state school specialising in language in Hertfordshire, Hockerill. Your son would have to take a test but would get round the catchment issue. here Your son could take the train in from Liverpool Street, you could get a flat in Old Street or somewhere central like that. Or he could even board during the week.

Another option is QE Boys in Barnet which is selection by academic test, with no catchment. You have to register for the tests with the school soon. They are in September and in Maths & English (multiple choice, still difficult). It is very traditional, academically demanding. Plenty of tests and sport. Good academic record - but 2000 or so applicants for 180 spaces. Barnet is a safe, green and pleasant but not very exciting area of London. Not very convenient for Oxford either.