Opinion on Staines upon Thames

[Csmar]

We are thinking about buying a property in Staines upon Thames (Surrey). We currently live in Woking. We have a new born.

What's your opinion about Staines?
Particularly around safety and schools. are the schools good there?

We've lived in Staines for 5 years and our eldest child has recently started reception (state primary school), so we don't have much experience of the school yet but it's been great so far. There are a range of primary schools (two non-religious, CofE, Catholic and also Staines Prep independent school) in town.
Honestly, we didn't plan to stay in Staines for so long but we have grown to really enjoy it. We feel safe, we live close to the train station and it's really easy getting into London. It's also easy getting out to the more rural parts of Surrey. It's seems to be a more affordable part of Surrey, although the downside is the town centre is quite generic. But there are quite a lot of property development at the moment so we're hoping the shops/restaurants will follow. There is a big new leisure centre just opened and plans for a new cultural hub. We have a 2.5 and 4 year old and there is quite a lot of facilities for them in Staines/Spelthorne/Runnymede area.