Q about Preschools/primary schools in E2/Jesus Green area

[jesska]

I need some advice - dh and I live abroad but have a house (which we bought before we had kids) in the Jesus Green/Columbia road area of Bethnal Green. We're probably coming back to London in the next year or so and I need to figure out whether living in that area makes sense, schools-wise. Our kids are still small (will be 3.5 and almost 2 when we come back) but I want to think ahead to preschool and then primary school.

To make matters more complex...I am american (dh is English), so the whole British school system is a bit of a mystery to begin with.

Any word of mouth about the Jesus Green/Columbia road area schools, private or state, would be greatly appreciated (or guide me to any useful info on the web).

tia!

I'm going to bump this in hopes of keeping it on the radar...

Also, having done some research/searching through posts here, I've come across a few posts about independent schools but still struggling to find any dirt on the state schools in the east london area that are good.

sorry to be such a novice!

Hello Jesska.

Not so good on this area but I sense your desperation - maybe this will get the ball rolling!

The people's choice for state seems to be Columbia Road. Also St. Elizabeth's Catholic Primary in Bonner Rd.

Bizzarely, parents from that area also seem to send their dc to Prior Weston, which seems to be quite a way away (in EC1, I think).

Ofsted reports and League table results (giving percentages reaching level 4 in English, maths and science) are available on-line and worth taking a look at.

Don't know anything about private options, though for girls City of London has entry from 7 but is v. competitive.

It's a brilliant, interesting bit of London to live in.

Bit out of area, across the park, is Lauriston School (state again), which is very, very popular.

Thanks for your post, it's very helpful. Just a starting point is good for me right now (otherwise it is all too overwhelming). I'd love to stay in the area rather than go south of the river (Dulwich/East Dulwich) which is Dh's preference after he lived there for years.

And how funny that you are "cherryblossoms"... we currently live in Tokyo!