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Original poster

Hicksville > London ... right or wrong?

465 replies

spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 17:36

Rather than hijack the other thread, I'll start one of my own.

I'm thinking about moving to London from the provincial town where I now live. My children are nearly 13 (dd) and 10 (ds), so if we moved in the summer ds would start Year 6 at a new primary school and dd would start Year 9 at a new secondary school. They'll both be going to state schools.

I don't like the idea of uprooting them, BUT there are lots of good reasons for the move, for them as well as me.

We're looking at moving into Camden LEA, and I am told the schools are very good. I also think as the children get older there will be many more opportunities for them educationally and socially in London. My sister and brother both live in north London and I would dearly love to be nearer to them, and so would the kids. Plus my mum wants to move in with us on a trial basis - she is very close to the children and more importantly is very good for them, and would be my general factotum in terms of childcare.

And of course the work opportunities for me would be stratospherically better than they are where I now am.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has made a big move with kids at a similar age, and what impact it had on them. Of course a lot comes down to personality, and I know it would be hard for them to adjust at first, but any advice or experience would be most welcome.

Thanks!

OP posts:
maomao · 30/04/2004 14:06

sm,

Just walked by those flats this very morning with the dog, and was admiring all the lovely flowers! My dd loves to stop there and look at the plants along the path.

Any luck in finding the article in the Independent that Tinker was referring to?

Any further thoughts or concerns, or inspiration? Do let me know if you need me to pick up any info for you on this end --- would be happy to send it to you via post.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 14:07

it was completely quiet when we went there yesterday lunchtime - the neighbour said the noise was more at night

i have made up my mind that i will go for it, but whether it actually happens is another question. The tenant is out of the UK for a month, then if she still wants to go ahead we have all the paperwork to do and approval from our respective councils. So it's certainly not in the bag yet!

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 14:08

maomao, that's really kind of you, thanks!

I haven't got a copy of saturday's indy, and the article doesn't appear to be on their website. But I am looking at all the ofsted reports for camden lea secondary schools. Do you happen to know which school catchment area New End Square would be in?

OP posts:
Janh · 30/04/2004 14:12

sm, I think from what Tinker said (or when she said it, rather) it would be Friday's Indie. (Not that you'll have that either of course!)

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 14:13

Yes jan you're quite right!

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 14:15

Acland Burghley looks like the nearest to me, but I'm looking on a disjointed A-Z map

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maomao · 30/04/2004 14:16

Sorry, sm, I don't. I'm curious about that myself, as I am just a few blocks down the hill from you (well, from where you might be soon!). I'm not sure how to find out that info, actually....

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 14:21

map of camden lea schools

OP posts:
Tinker · 30/04/2004 14:32

sm - I tried looking on the Indie's site last night but couldn't find it. I'll dig out the paper later and look.

suedonim · 30/04/2004 17:10

I think the flat looks lovely, SP, and would be better still minus the clutter. Maybe you could sell the retro kitchen on eBay! I saw a BBC article about secondary schools which might be relevant. Best wishes.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 17:40

thanks suedonim - I'll check out that link

OP posts:
maomao · 30/04/2004 17:56

sm,

Thanks for the link to the Camden schools!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 17:59

New End Primary has got an EXCELLENT ofsted report maomao

OP posts:
maomao · 30/04/2004 18:01

Yes, I know, I found it too! And it's quite close to you!

Nutcracker · 30/04/2004 18:05

SM - I have just had a look at the piccies and read the whole thread, and i would go for it.
Like someone esle said, yes it does need some work doing to it, but the location is fab and you could make it your own in no time at all.

Do you mind if i ask you how you heard about it, were you advertising for an exchange ??

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 18:44

It was through that website that I told you about on your thread nutty - I'm not advertising for an exchange, no - I just saw this one when browsing on there looking at what's available.

OP posts:
Nutcracker · 30/04/2004 18:49

Ahh i think i am registered on that one. Well i'm registered on about 4 actually. Unfortunatly i've never had any responses though.

Good luck, hope it all goes to plan

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 19:32

I never had any responses to mine either nutty - I got the house I'm in as a swap, but I contacted them and it's the same with this one. I know you've been very proactive though, do hope it all works out for you X

OP posts:
Davros · 05/05/2004 14:56

Spacey, just been reading in local rag that Camden has had to change its plan to make secondary school places available only to Camden residents. Reading article it therefore seems that places at all local secondary schools are allocated partly according to distance, regardless of which borough you live in. It also seems that Haverstock may be open in the Autumn as they are saying that much of the new building will be done over the summer. It might be worth considering therefore if its a much nicer and better funded school after this project.

Would you like me to post you a copy of the local paper sometime, just to get a flavour? DO let me know. You can probably look at their website, its called The Ham & High. THere's also a MyHampstead website somewhere you could google. If you have trouble, let me know.

maomao · 05/05/2004 22:41

Oh, Davros, how did I know it was going to be you posting about the Ham&High?

SM, here's the link to which Davros was referring

lou33 · 05/05/2004 22:42

She's gone on a jaunt overnight girls, so she won't be back online til tomorrow pm. Some people have all the luck.

maomao · 06/05/2004 00:24

Hope she has fun! Thanks, lou33

Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/05/2004 22:27

thanks for the info davros - i've already had a good look at the myhampstead site, and it's quite good. Thank you for the offer to post the local paper! No need really, I'll pick one up next time I'm there (have been there twice in the last week alone, and I want to get the kids up there for a day out soon to see what they make of it).

The tenant is coming back to the UK early (was due to return end of May) and says she is keen to go ahead with the exchange ASAP. I am wavering from one day to the next - I feel that ultimately the kids will thank me for the move, but I can see I'll have a battle on my hands to get them to favour the idea before we go. IF we go.

The only issue holding me back is the secondary school places. If I don't laugh the whole idea off before, I'm going to be proactive and start contacting schools as soon as the other party shakes on the exchange (then it will be another 6-8 weeks before all the paperwork goes through).

I know I would be happy there. It's just all the aggravation with the children that worries me

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 06/05/2004 22:30

and yes, I had a FANTASTIC time thanks maomao!

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maomao · 08/05/2004 12:31

'Nother link , sm. Lists goings-on in the area. Might be helpful...?