Hopefully moving to Colchester from beckenham

[Cazzie123]

Hi,
Need your help! We are thinking of moving to Colchester from Beckenham in the next few months (ideally before we need to apply for primary schools in January) but I'm lost as to where to look! Colchester seems huge compared to little old Beckenham. My husband will be travelling to London and we have a 3 year old and nearly 1year old. I've heard of Lexden and Hamilton primary but what other areas are good to look at that have good primary and preschools? Oh and aren't too pricey! also I won't know anyone so any recommendations of nice toddler/ baby groups to meet some other mummy's would be lovely. Thanks for your help :-)

Hi Cazzie, check out Highwoods

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simone

Hello there, we moved from becks to colch about 18 months ago. The house we moved to is in the catchment for Hamilton and my middle child has been happily attending there since we moved. My youngest has just started in foundation and is settling in really well. It is an excellent school.

The area is also in walking distance of the town centre but quite quiet. One thing I would mention is that estate agents seem to use Lexden for this area, while I consider Lexden to be the area running out of town along Lexden Road (I grew up in Colch so have some prior knowledge here). I always refer to my area as 'Maldon Road area' and where we live is firmly in the Hamilton catchment while most of traditional Lexden is not. it would be awful to get caught out by this and buy a house that was outside the catchment for Hamilton if that's the school you were hoping for.

I have found the move to colch from becks very easy and it doesnt feel that big as its so much easier to get around as the traffic is far less heavy.