Where to move in London for great primaries and secondaries

[bettymoo212]

We currently live in a two-bed flat in North Greenwich with our two-year-old and newborn. We want to upsize to a four-bed house in an area with great primaries and secondaries, so that we can stay there for the long-term.

We both work in central Lond two days a week so need to be in relatively easy commuting distance. Beyond that though, we are completely open to moving anywhere in London. Therein lies the problem - we just don’t have a clue where to look!

What about Herne Hill or Dulwich?

If you consider Bromley/Beckenham, be aware that more and more of our schools are in the Harris academy chain, which has strengths and weaknesses.

Beckenham or West Wickham. Great primary schools but check you are in the Langley catchment for secondary schools.

800k won't get a 4 bed in Dulwich!!

We’ve spent ages looking at Beckenham and actually found a house we really like close to a couple of great primaries. The only secondary it is safely in catchment for though is Harris Academy and, having read mixed reviews, that is what held us back from making an offer. It sounds as though you live in the area? I’d so, I’d love to hear your views on Harris. We love the area and there are plenty of properties in our budget so this is the only thing holding us back?

Slightly reluctant to move within catchment for the Langley schools unless we really have to because of the lack of good high street down that end of Beckenham.

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. Lots of options for me to explore.

West Norwood/Streatham

Excellent primaries - Julian's, Hitherfield, Sunnyhill and secondaries:Dunraven, Elmgreen, Norwood.

You'd get a decent place for 800k too.

Hanwell or Northfields in Ealing

@bettybettymoo212 I worked for the Harris chain briefly. Their budgets are low (all school budgets are though relative to need) and they employ mostly young keen inexperienced staff. More experienced staff generally will not work for them. A large chunk of their budgets pay the enormous salaries of the central Trust management. They are very focused on academics, test a lot and have an obsession with blazers. Behaviour is well managed generally. Creative subjects are low status (e.g. secondaries may not offer Music or Drama A-level). SEN is not well catered for although they do now have their own special school. On the plus side, Bromley has Bromley Youth Music Trust which caters very well for music and music theatre (performances at Langley Boys which has the main performance venue for our area, used by many schools and groups).

Having said that about Harris, they are large and get good economies of scale, so likely to withstand the current financial pressures in education better than some.

But the schools up in Southwark where I work are definitely better for inclusion.

If you have a robust academically top half child the Bromley schools are fine and you have the grammar options too. If you have the money there are many good private schools too.

What about Hayes, Bromley. Outstanding secondary and good primaries.
Smaller high street than Beckenham but still access to there, West Wickham and Bromley.
Hayes high street has a Sainsbury's, some great restaurants and you always get a seat on the train! Or bus into Bromley and get the fast train to London.

Near the station and hayes catchment (it's a mixed school) and a choice between Pickhurst and hayes primary

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132869288#/?channel=RES_BUY

If I was in your position, I wouldn’t worry too much about primary. Most primaries, in my experience, are at least good enough.

I would focus much more heavily on secondary options. I know that seems a long time away, and that a lot can change. But largely good schools remain desirable, whilst poorer schools… well, remain undesirable. It’s very difficult to change a reputation.

FWIW, the schools considered good when my eldest was a toddler, are still the most desirable schools today, two decades on.

Hayes is a good suggestion. Just make sure you're in the catchment of Hayes School (not because of the school so much as because then you've got a "banker" for secondary). Although it does host a Barracudas holiday club for age 4.5 up, which may be of interest!

Teddington.

Further out of London, Maidenhead/Taplow is good also Beaconsfield/GX. Maidenhead is on the Elizabeth line which is fab and good primaries/secondaries and the option of grammar schools (Marlow/High Wycombe).

If you want to be in the catchment for the Langley secondaries and you want to be near to a high street then you need to look in West Wickham. You will find lots of suitable properties and good primary schools.

Depends what you’re looking for re: Barnet

Highly selective - Henrietta Barnett, QE Boys

The good religious schools like Wren (not that religious really!) and including selective like St Michael’s

But also a high concentration of good or outstanding state secondary schools and an outstanding 6th form college (Woodhouse)

Merton has generally good schools. Morden is on the Northern Line
Properties For Sale near Morden Station | Rightmove

Thanks so much everyone! Some great suggestions here.

Hello All
we would be moving to London shortly and working in central london. Can you suggest me good areas to reside and secondary schools within a commute distance of 30-40 mins .

Apart from QEB which others?

HEB and QEB.