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Original poster

Local info needed the Good the bad and the ugly - what do you wished you'd known?

51 replies

ThePathlessPath · 03/09/2012 09:58

Hi we are relocating soon to the area ( DH, me DD - 6 ds - 8 )
and have a few questions if anyon local can help I would be very grateful ( have done a search and got loads of information but just have a few questons left )
Probably Willington school for my son but where do they go afterwards?
Which school for my dd - want something all round but cant seem to find it schools seem very acadmeic
again where do they tend to go for secondary

DH needs to ge tto mansiobn house every day and I need a yoga class a park to run in , independet coffee shop and a library

Do the roads get VERY congested ? at school runtime or do people walk to school

HAvent even pinned down house yet ! but think that west wimbldon Raynes park will be good for us

What do i NEED to know before i start commiting to schools and a house and if anyone want to help me search online feel free to suggest houses /roads

thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePathlessPath · 11/09/2012 21:34

Wimble chase school - it has a lovely feel to it was really impressed

BIWI that looks lovely am going to ring up for a visit

We never walked the area around copse hill /coombe whats that area like?

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePathlessPath · 11/09/2012 21:38

Also which roads in raynes park plus schools should I explore ? coming back this friday and planning a walking route and visit , thank you for your hlep x

OP posts:
FamiliesShareGerms · 11/09/2012 21:43

I don't think any of the places (areas / roads or schools) you mention are bad, and your budget is enough for something decent, although gardens, even in £millions houses can be small. The public green space makes up for that, and you'll have nom problem finding places to exercise inside and out.

Kingston .road gets very very busy, traffic wise. Raynes Park is in Travel Zone 4 (Wimbledon is in Zone 3), so more expensive (though the cheaper housing probably offsets that).

We've lived in the area for a few years, and absolutely love it here. so much to do locally, plus easy access to things like the museums in South Kensington etc.

BIWI · 12/09/2012 08:16

Wimbledon Chase was where both my DS went. It is a really good school (or was, when they were there - it's quite some time ago now!)

PheasantPlucker · 12/09/2012 11:58

Hello BIWI, getting better thanks. (albeit rather slowly!)

OP, I live around the area you are asking about, I like it a lot. Green spaces within very easy reach. Great transport links via train and bus.

Original poster
ThePathlessPath · 12/09/2012 15:27

getting exicited have three houses to view on friday and will be wearing my best comfy walking shoes ;-) think im going to be fitter when we live in london

BIWI where do yours go to school now? i suppose once ive finished this trauma and recoverd from move it will be secondary school searching !

flight path - DH has asked me to ask whats the noise like ?

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePathlessPath · 12/09/2012 15:32

What do you think of this house and where it is located ?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-34925347.html?premiumA=true

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePathlessPath · 12/09/2012 15:34

Damm cant see the one on Richmond Ave had an offer on it!

OP posts:
PheasantPlucker · 12/09/2012 16:07

Not sure your link works, so can't say

BIWI thanks for msg, looking forward to it

PheasantPlucker · 12/09/2012 16:09

Flight path is on a (I think) 3 week cycle. Have never been bothered by noise at all, even on the week we get more planes.

BIWI · 12/09/2012 16:51

TPP - DS1 is at university now, DS2 is at Esher College (6th form). They both went to Rutlish.

That house looks good - and I think, from what I know of the area, it's fine. But it's a very long way from Wimbledon Chase, if you're thinking of applying there.

Flight path - doesn't bother us at all here.

PheasantPlucker · 12/09/2012 16:56

I've got the link to work. I think your nearest school to that house is Joseph Hood. (I don't know much about that school, and don't know anyone who has children there)

PheasantPlucker · 12/09/2012 17:20

Oh, or Aragon or Hillcross schools, heading the other way, towards Morden. (I always feel the need to pronounce Aragon/Morden in a vaguely LOTR fashion - so Morden becomes Mordor ......)

Original poster
ThePathlessPath · 12/09/2012 21:43

PP - you have made me laugh! I have mordor on the brain now !

OP posts:
Primafacie · 13/09/2012 22:18

Hi, don't know if that is still useful, but:

  • the house mentioned on the first page is next to the train tracks and has been on the market for ever (I think at least a couple of years);
  • WCPS only take children within the APA at the moment. We live one street out and would not get a YR place. I don't know how in year admissions work though, there may be a waiting list, worth checking so you don't end up moving there bt not getting in the school
Wobblypig · 14/09/2012 16:45

Confused WIllington or Wimbledon chase , quite a difference.

gazzalw · 15/09/2012 07:43

Don't think Joseph Hood has a good reputation at all... The Wimbledon state primaries are by and large the best in the Borough....

DS has just got into Sutton Grammar School which is an acceptable distance from the Wimbledon Town Centre, Merton Park, South Wimbledon side (less so from the Wimbledon Park/Southfields end I would say) and there's Tiffin Boys and Girls, Wallington grammar and High Schools, Wilson's and Nonsuch as the selective options. Graveney and Greenshaw offer a selective stream in comprehensive (good) settings and then there are Rutlish and Ricard's Lodge which seem to be imroving year on year....

Cookers · 16/09/2012 07:04

www.merton.gov.uk/learning/schools/changingschool/admissions/wimbledon_chase_priority_area.htm - be careful with Wimbledon Chase you need to be really close to the school - the furthest away that anyone got in this year was Bronson Road - top end in the first place then the rest got a place on the waiting list.

Wobblypig · 16/09/2012 21:38

The same could be said for almost any half decent school in WImbledon by the way

FamiliesShareGerms · 17/09/2012 07:27

OP, this might help you. Obviously aimed at reception, but gives an indication (see p13) of how popular schools are. I think you'll be dependent on movement to create spaces, but it doesn't mean you can't get into a decent school: I've known children move into Dundonald (probably the most popular / over subscribed school in Wimbledon) for later years, for example.

anujs03 · 17/09/2012 17:53

We are looking to buy a property in the Pavillions, the new development at Fairways SW20 9DS. Has anyone got any idea around the area? Also how is the west wimbledon primary school? That is the closest school to this house. Is it easy to get into?

Thanks.

MrsHerculePoirot · 17/09/2012 18:31

I think West Wimbledon school is great - lots of people down my road go there or help there and they all rave about it. Our DD will go there, I don't think it is too bad to get in, but check distance on council website to be sure!

anujs03 · 18/09/2012 11:34

Thanks MrsHerculePoirot

I checked on the council website and it says we are 0.29kms from the school. Do you know what is the average distance where people have been able to get in?

PheasantPlucker · 18/09/2012 13:33

West Wimbledon School is (I think) 3 form entry, and has become increasingly highly regarded following an 'Outstanding' OFSTED. I hear that the Head is well regarded too.

MrsHerculePoirot · 18/09/2012 20:11

this tells you how places were allocated last year and further distances. Obviously that changes from year to year, but gives you an idea.

West Wimbledon only has two form entry, I think the only primary around the Wimbledon area that has three form entry is Wimbledon Chase.