Moving to Barnet - help/advice

[PR0UDDAD]

Dear all

I am looking for an advice, please.

We live in Kent and my ds sat for his 11+ exams last year. He did very well on both Kent and Bexley exams, and is guaranteed a place at any grammar school in Kent or Bexley.

In addition, he also passed the exam to Queen Elizabeth in Barnet. So we are facing a huge dilemma, albeit a pleasant one.

We are renting at the moment and the idea was always to buy a property once we get our 11+ exam results. So from that perspective we are quite flexible. However, we note that property prices in Barnet are significantly higher than those in Kent and we will probably continue renting a property in the first few months.

We also have a dd who is at Reception this year and we would like to send her to a good primary school too.

Our budget is somewhat restricted (£550k-£575k for a 3-bed house) and if anyone could suggest some nice, safe and family-friendly areas with good primary schools and perhaps within the 30 minutes drive/45 minutes public transport distance to Queen Elizabeth Grammar school, that would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

I don't know how the Kent/Bexley grammar schools system works but with QEB in Barnet, you don't "pass" or "fail". It's a super-selective, arguably the most selective and academic state school in the country and certainly the top (as in the apex) state school!

Selection is via the top so many - 160 (?) - best performing boys in the very tough entrance exams. Therefore, boys in the school come from far and wide. Huge numbers of boys compete for places each year; and I still remember passing by the school one early afternoon obviously just after an examination session and seeing hundreds of boys around the vicinity of the school with one boy holding his pencil case and some papers and sobbing uncontrollably with his poor dad looking decidedly dejected. It broke my heart seeing things have now come to this just for the sake of trying to go to a (good) school.

So, congratulations to your boy for having passed QEB and his guaranteed places in Kent/Bexley. But I'm confused how QEB can confirm places before March?

The borough of Barnet has some of the very best schools in the country. For QEB, the 263 bus actually begins (and ends) just a stone's throw from the school - the Barnet General Hospital. It takes less than 20 mins to reach here from North Finchley.

The opposite terminal would be Highbury Barn in Islington; taking in High Barnet, Whetstone, North and East Finchley, Holloway, etc. So properties along this bus route is suitable for QEB - check TfL bus route! My suggestion is to look closely at the Finchley area. If you are Catholic, there are some excellent Catholic schools, both primary and secondary in Finchley. Your DD might aim for St. Michael's Catholic Grammar Girls' School in North Finchley when her time comes. Otherwise, the Henrietta Barnett Girls' Grammar School in Hampstead is easily accessible from Finchley. Again, like QEB, this is a top state school in the country, in fact, a girl's version of QEB!

Personally, I think the High Barnet area is a bit dull to live in.

Sorry if I misunderstood but all these choices are state grammar schools. Which did you list as first preference on your CAF - you will only be allocated one school - you don't get offered one in each location. if QE is your preference as you are intending to move did you list it first on your form as it sounds like you are weighing up what to do when in reality you may not have a decision to make if you put another grammar from your current location as first choice.

Hello ProudDad
I am researching QEB, so came across your thread. I don't think you will find much for the budget in Finchley (I think a 3-bed house there is more likely to be around a million), I would look at the other end of the proposed bus route. Also, QEB is on the tube (the last stop on the Northern Line), so it might be worth considering. Plus there are other bus routes. I am doing similar research myself. The closer you are to the centre, the less you will get for your money. Kent sounds much nicer! Hope you have made your decision.