Chingford Mount - primary and secondary schools

[Patstew]

Hi all,

We've been looking for properties in Chingford. We did look at some in North Chingford and Higham's Park, but in the end settled for something near Chingford Mount (near Priory Avenue). I've read all the threads that say North Chingford and Highams Park is much nicer, but you get so much more for your money in the Mount area. I have a daughter aged 8 and a son aged 13. Hoping to get the son into Heathecote or Highams, but for my daughter, there are so many primary schools about. Any suggestions on which would be a good primary school in the area? Are they all the same? Am I making a mistake moving to Mount when I can stretch my budget to £850k and buy in North or Highams? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I think all the primaries are ok - I’ve had friends with kids at Larkswood and at Parkside and heard no complaints. Re secondaries, yes, Heathcote or Highams Park are good. South Chingford has had a terrible reputation but I know some kids have thrived there in a smaller friendlier school. I think probably avoid Chingford foundation!

You’re not exactly far there from either North Chingford or Highams Park, or Walthamstow for that matter. Nice parade of shops on the Mount including great charity shops!

Yes, my thinking exactly regarding the secondary schools. I would want to avoid Chingford Foundation (based on what I've read in forums, not many people recommend it and its a massive school) and South Chingford would be third choice only because it's quite small and I feel sometimes smaller schools can be friendlier (just an opinion and not based on any research!). But its a former sports school and my son isn't really that athletic...

I do like Lime Academy Larkswood as a primary school, but part of the attraction for it is the idea in my head that I could finish work early every now and then in the warmer days, pick her up, head to the actual woods for a walk etc.