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Original poster

Does anyone commute from hackney to Hampstead for their DC’s school?

18 replies

Wouldyouuuu · 04/11/2023 11:03

We live in Hackney, have for nearly 20 years, very settled. DS has been unhappy in school for a few years, he has a few mild additional needs and we’ve found a private school in the Hampstead surrounds that seems absolutely perfect for him. We all love it.

Anyone do / done this commute? Is it a nightmare? Moving is a possibility! But a slightly reluctant move!

(Not sure which board this belongs in so I went with education!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Wouldyouuuu · 04/11/2023 11:04

I should also add: we have a lovely and strong social network as a family where we are now that we’d miss. But of course, DS’s new school friends wouldn’t be local anymore. He does have local friends in Hackney from nursery / current school / weekend clubs though.

Just feeling quite torn about whether to go for the school, or to move. I can’t find anything local that would be as good for him.

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TheSquareMile · 04/11/2023 11:50

How old is he?

Do you know what his unhappiness in his current school stems from?

Original poster
Wouldyouuuu · 04/11/2023 12:02

He’s almost 9 - I do, we paid privately to see an educational psychologist because his school did try, but couldn’t really change things for him. He has a few extra needs like dyslexia, is shy and introverted and genuinely lost a bit of confidence, light and happiness from behind his eyes.

I’ve seen every single private north London school, it feels like!!! He’s done a trial day, and this particular one feels right. He absolutely loved it, the school said all the right things, it actually made me feel quite emotional being there because it was exactly what DS has been looking for. Of course, it may not be perfect when he starts, but it’s as close as we’ve come to finding the right setting for him.

So we want to do it - and can afford it - it’s just a case of whether or not going to Hampstead surrounds each day will be an absolute nightmare! Trying to get a feel for whether anyone else is doing the same commute thing and how they find it?

We have an electric car, so that’d be how we’d get him there and back.

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Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/11/2023 12:10

Could you go on overground

Camdenish · 04/11/2023 12:14

I don’t live in Hampstead but I read in the local papers that people that do live there complain about the congestion during school drop off and pick up times. I guess it depends where in Hackney to where in Hampstead but it’s not a car journey if fancy doing four times a day.

Would the Overground be an option?

Is this school move just until 11?

TheSquareMile · 04/11/2023 12:16

Would something in the City also be an option? It would probably be an easier commute for you.

The City of London School has a new junior school which he might like.

https://cityjuniorschool.org.uk/

Home - City Junior School

A new co-educational junior school opening September 2022, launched jointly by City of London School and City of London School for Girls.

https://cityjuniorschool.org.uk

foreverbasil · 04/11/2023 12:16

I did that commute for years. Easy on overground but no way I'd consider it by road

Original poster
Wouldyouuuu · 04/11/2023 12:17

The school goes through to secondary, so he’d stay there throughout.

The overground could be an option!

So could moving, to be honest. I’d be up for a change if it was positive. I have no idea where though - Hampstead itself is out of the question. And don’t really know where in the surrounds we’d both afford / like! (Many years of owning a terrace house in Hackney means our budget isn’t tiny, but I doubt it’s Hampstead!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Wouldyouuuu · 04/11/2023 12:19

foreverbasil · 04/11/2023 12:16

I did that commute for years. Easy on overground but no way I'd consider it by road

That’s interesting!! I assumed road would be faster. We’re not too far from the overground so that would be doable!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wouldyouuuu · 04/11/2023 12:19

TheSquareMile · 04/11/2023 12:16

Would something in the City also be an option? It would probably be an easier commute for you.

The City of London School has a new junior school which he might like.

https://cityjuniorschool.org.uk/

I haven’t heard of this - thank you! I’m looking it up now!

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DelphiniumBlue · 04/11/2023 12:57

Only way to tell is by doing trial runs several times at the times you would be doing the journey. Most roads in North London are appalling at school run time, and Hampstead traffic has been bad for decades.

Marisquita · 04/11/2023 19:08

Plenty of children get the Overground from Highbury & Islington or Canonbury to Hampstead schools, so I don’t see why not from Hackney. Don’t drive it - Hampstead school run traffic is as bad as it’s ever been.

Jackal313 · 06/11/2023 09:35

TheSquareMile · 04/11/2023 12:16

Would something in the City also be an option? It would probably be an easier commute for you.

The City of London School has a new junior school which he might like.

https://cityjuniorschool.org.uk/

Just FYI City Junior School only has 7+ entry, and occasional places would be very unlikely I think. Furthermore, it is extremely academic (feeds into City Boys and CLSG) so might not be a good fit for trying to build confidence, etc.

Jackal313 · 06/11/2023 09:58

Have you looked at the Lyceum? Very close to Hackney (technically in Hackney but closer to the City), and they often have places available as the school is growing. Nurturing environment and would be good at building confidence. Only goes through Year 6 but would be a much easier commute for the next few years at least.

piisnot3 · 06/11/2023 10:29

Jackal313 · 06/11/2023 09:35

Just FYI City Junior School only has 7+ entry, and occasional places would be very unlikely I think. Furthermore, it is extremely academic (feeds into City Boys and CLSG) so might not be a good fit for trying to build confidence, etc.

Show quote history

This is good advice. City is competitive on entry and fast paced with a heavy workload once there, and is not going to be the best place for a child with mild additional needs / dyslexia.

TheOccupier · 06/11/2023 11:45

Definitely wouldn't do this by car! Overground is good, and as a backup you could probably get to old Street and catch the northern line.

TheSquareMile · 06/11/2023 17:58

Another school which might work for you is the Faraday School:

https://www.faradayschool.co.uk/

Homepage - Faraday Prep School

New Models School

https://www.faradayschool.co.uk

MonsoonSeason1 · 08/11/2023 15:13

If you wouldn’t mind, could you PM me with the school you’re considering? It sounds amazing, and possibly the right kind of fit for my child… It’s hard to find, isn’t it? A school that genuinely accepts and celebrates this kind of child. Good luck with your decision! I’d be inclined to go for it if the school really felt like the right fit for your child and your family

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