Looking to move to Sandwich/Canterbury next year

[Eularia]

Hello, any advice would be much appreciated. I am from West Kent originally, but I have been living abroad for 10 years and an looking to move to the Sandwich/Canterbury area with my DH, DS (7 years) and DD (5 years). Any advice on schools (both state and private) and where to live would be great. We are both likely to need to travel to work in London 2 days a week, but no more so can do a longish commute. We will rent somewhere to start with before buying. I have also been looking at adverts for language teachers or groups to keep the children's spanish up and there is loads for french but not much for spanish. If anyone knows of any spanish groups or tutors for children that would also be very helpful. Thank you!

Hi,

Canterbury is great for families and pretty decent commuting times into London.

Can't comment on the private schools (although there are 4 in Canterbury but I don't know much about them) but there are some good state schools.

St Dunstan/St Stephen area is good for Canterbury West and the fast train to St Pancras.

Wincheap and surrounding area is good for Canterbury East and the London Bridge line.

Both areas are also good road access to the A2 for London. And both have a good selection of schools - Wincheap Primary, St Stephens, St Peters and Blean. Although you'd need to check whether any have spaces in the year groups you'd require.

Thank you so much VerityLocalEdKent, thats useful. Would you happen to know about the London Bridge line and when London Bridge station has been renovated if there will be high speed trains there? Will the trains go from Canterbury East?

I need to start looking at when we can apply for a school if we want them to join in September 2016. Also any idea about spanish language groups or lessons for children?

Happy to help

I don't think the train line will be high speed to London Bridge but between 6-7am (ish) and 5-6pm (ish) there are trains that are faster than usual into London Bridge.

Schools - the window for applications is November to January, but that's for reception intake. I don't know how it works for applying for other year groups. I'd assume you contact the schools and out if they have spaces and go from there. Be worth dropping an email to the Kent education department though - [email protected]

Spanish - this company are based in Canterbury www.lingolingo.co.uk/ and although I've not used them, they look good! You should also be able to find private tutors.

Ps. Yes London Bridge service will still be from Canterbury East

Thank you very much!