Where to move in West London? How do State Primary Schools work?

[maymove]

Hello,

Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

We are negotiating a move to London. We lived in NYC for 12 years and although both 42 years old, with 2 young girls (Almost 5, and 2) we still enjoy city life. We are both a little familiar with central London, but not at all with West London.

My husband's job would be in Iver Heath, and I am currently looking for work - but I'm assuming my commute would mostly take me roughly to Oxford Circus.

We'd have no car initially, so using tube, etc. Ideally we'd like a 2-3 bedroom - £1,250 - £1,500 per month, with a very good state primary school as for us that's the most important element.

We have no idea how that works? We'd base where we'd live on this however! We are at least the initial year on a tight budget, so although we'd love to send our daughters to Catholic school - not sure how much that would cost? From what I read Montpelier is a good state school? What is Catchment? Vicinity to school? How do you know what streets are in it?

So, where to live? Help?

We were thinking Ealing, Acton, Chiswick? Seems like it's not too bad a commute for my husband (Piccadilly, central line)?? and my commute would most likely be oxford circus...

Of course we'd like someplace with a nice high street etc... but beggers can't be choosers - so we'd love someplace that's not too, too suburban, but with our two girls - school area is most important to us - although unfortunately for our budget not sure what we can get.

Sorry if I'm all over the place! This is overwhelming - but exciting!

Really appreciate any input!

Thanks so much. Looking forward to the adventure.

If you opt to live a bit further out of London, in Buckinghamshire, there's some really good schools around. Buckinghamshire, to my knowledge, still has the 11 plus exam and Grammar Schools - some good ones are Dr Challoner's, Beaconsfield High, Wycombe RGS/High. I'm afraid I don't know about W.London though. Hopefully someone else can advise.

I should have added that towns like Gerrards Cross, Amersham, High Wycombe all give you quick access to central London.

Have you looked at any property sites? £1500 in Ealing or Chiswick would only get you a 2-bed flat - it would go slightly further in Acton but still a flat rather than a house. Flats near good primaries are particularly sought after, of course, and if you want to get into a Catholic school, they may require a letter from your parish priest as evidence of attendance at Mass.

I agree with DoM that you may find a commute for slightly further out but on a fast connection gets you more for your money. And perhaps a marginally less cutthroat situation with schools.

What about Eastcote ? You'd get a 2-3 bdrm house for that, no problems, it's on the Piccadilly and the Metropolitian Lines and 25 minutes to Baker Street.
It is Surburban but they are leafy suburbs and the surrounding primary schools are excellent.

OP don't know that much about west London tho my sister lives there and has been happy with her DCs' school.

That's not much money to rent in central London tho (which Acton etc countas, kind of!).

Catholic schools btw are state run and funded so free. Agree tho you would usually need letter from priest etc.

Your nearly 5yo would be applying in year as she would have started school in Sept just gone in the UK, so that may affect your chances of finding a place.

Wow! Thanks so much for your quick responses. This is fantastic.

That's great info, really appreciate that. So thanks.

We will for sure check out your advice and very well may settle on living somewhere out there. That might be the best bet.

However, we are city people. I lived in NYC for 12 years. I love London, and would really like to be close if possible. Dread the idea of having to get a car, and can't imagine how expensive it is for petrol, etc... We loved the fact that everything was walking distance, even buying groceries - for just small change we could shop and then have it delivered two minutes later.

That said - we are moving to a different city and when in Rome...

So, although in the end your advice, may still end up being the best choice for us... we'd like to see if Ealing, Acton, Chiswick may be workable? I do know some people in my husband's office lived in Ealing. Perhaps he could carpool with them - not sure.

Maybe foolish - but the idea of moving internationally to London and not experiencing living there?.. Perhaps we would love living outside. I liked walking the streets of windsor, amazing... so in the end - you may be right!

How does it work having your child accepted to schools?

Our oldest daughter is in a Catholic school for Pre-K, but it will begin to get prohibitively expensive to send her there for primary.

If we end up in Buckinghamshire, Eastcote, Ealing wherever... how can we determine where she will go to school? This move could happen in January by the way!

What? Wow, Catholic schools are state funded?! We can send her to a Catholic school fro free!

Really you guys are fantastic. Although I do have my sites still on a semi-city living perhaps I'm being unrealistic - I've just downloaded the London Rail Map - which has some of the National Rail stations on it heading into London... so perhaps living in a place like Amersham (had heard about this before), or Gerrards Cross or Eastcote as mentioned maybe a better alternative then Ealing, Acton, Chiswick?

How much is it for a monthly pass on one of those lines?

DD is at Montpelier and it's a great school. She moved there at the beginning of Yr 5 when we moved from North to west London. In terms catchment, as it's quite international there are often places that come up in year groups so it's not always necessary to live close by. DD has friends who live in Greenford, Park Royal and Acton who go there.
Have you thought about St Gregory's Roman Catholic school? It's 5 minutes from Montpelier, state and I think has very good results. Also, if you're interested in going private, St Benedict's is a very good independent Catholic school nearby too.
PM me if you want any more info.

Larmenier and Sacred Heart primary school in Brook Green is outstanding. If you are going to be in London for a while it's near an amazing catholic girls' school for 11+ - Sacred Heart, one of the best state schools in the country, where Tony Blair's daughter went. Brook Green is basically Hammersmith so quite central and on many tube lines. Your budget would not go far in Brook Green itself but maybe a bit further in nearby Shepherds Bush.

Thanks, thanks, thanks! I am definitely going to look into your suggestions. Was on another forum today as well - and had a reply back that got me disappointed, saying it was it's not worth it in these areas for the money I mentioned - £1,250 - £1,500 per month? Am I a fool for trying? I'd like to really try and if it doesn't make sense then we will move further out an I'm sure we'll find something great. It was just really disappointing because we're used to being able to jump in a cab/subway and go where we like. I know it's apples/oranges NYC and London, and I know London is more expensive but just thought we might be able to live in close. What do you think?

I've heard Eastcote (thanks!) and Amersham, Gerrards Cross are nice... a lot of 'good problems' to have I guess.

Will check out those schools and the suggestions on Eastcote! Thanks!

It depends on your priorities. If you are willing to pay £1500 pm for a 2 bed flat with no outdoor space you could live in Brook Green, near the great schools, nice shops/pubs/parks/many tube lines. Look on rightmove.com there are small 2 beds in yr budget in Brrok Green. If you want more space it will mean going further out. Call the schools to check whether spaces are available in yr girl's years and where you would have to live to jump to top of any waiting lists. Good luck!

Kingston. You want Kingston. Move to Canbury area near St Agatha's Primary and go to St Agatha's church and you'll be all set. Plenty of 2-3 bed houses, around £1400, walk to shops, walk to Richmond Park, walk to Kingston station, 20 mins to Waterloo. St Agathas is an outstanding Primary, mine don't go there but I know several families who do and all are vv happy with it. Another option is Our Lady Immaculate in Surbiton, Berrylands is lovely, very family oriented, express to Waterloo.

Kingston is a bit like living in Brooklyn or Queens, I lived in NYC for 8 yrs and loved it, but Kingston is awesome. You can live in a house! With a garden!! And they have John Lewis!!! It's like Target but expensive.

You'd probably need a car for Surbiton though. Strangely cars are not as expensive here, insurance isn't as pricey and you wouldn't use it enough for gas to be a big expense, I only fill up my golf every 6 weeks.

Most of the Catholic schools in Ealing are very good eg St Gregory's, St John Fisher etc, all quite hard to get into (not impossible) There is also an excellent private Catholic school St Benedicts. Lots of non-Catholic schools in Ealing are also good.

However, if you're wanting to be in the thick of it, how about Hammersmith/Shepards Bush borders? Area around Brakenbury Rd (Brakenbury village) is great, schools are also very good. Pricey though. But not as bad as Chiswick.

Again. Thank you.

I was just checking out Kingston on Thames? Wow! Looked like amazing places for rent there, and only 40 minutes or so into Oxford Station.

Would need car I guess for commute to Iver heath (50 min).

Prices, space, area looks nice? Good Catholic School - my husband went to a St. Agatha's!

So, what's wrong with it? Not conventient for subway but there's national rail? How much a pain would that be if we want to go into London for dinner? It seems just fantastic?

Okay I am surprised no-one has mentioned this yet, but....
Your DD is nearly 5, I assume this means that she will be 5 before September? I that case in England she would already be in reception, which is the first year of school. Therefore you will be applying for an in-year place, or a place in year 1. So you will be only offered a place at the school you apply for if there is a space (even if you live next door). Before year 3 (age 7 in September) there is a strict limit on class sizes of 30, and it is extremely unlikely you will get a place unless there is a space.
Unlike the US you do not automatically get a place at your local school, also once someone has a school place they retain it even if they move (as long as they can get there child there, the place is theirs until they give it up). There is no reapplication at the end of each year. Oh and there are not fleets of school buses, school transport can be available but only in certain quite strict circumstances.

Kingston is a nice area, but if you want to live in London, it isn't that. Its a nice suburb/town.

I live in Ealing and wow my experience is really different to some on these threads. In fact we are moving out of Ealing because we simply don't rate the schools ( Durston House being the only exception). I have friends who went to St Bens (but that was a long time ago) and it just isn't/wasn't in the same calibre of St Pauls, Godolphin or Westminster etc.

I have to say this is just my experience and by no means any more valid than others who have posted in contradiction.

Good luck with your move.

Succubi: St Pauls, Godolphin and Westminster are all fee paying schools. The OP is obviously looking for a State school, although her mention of fees is because in the US with the seperation of State and Church all Catholic schools are independent, but the fees are far lower than top rank private schools in the UK. If she can only afford £1250 to £1500 a month rent she cannot afford StPauls etc. fees, and she is anyway looking for a 5 and 2 year old.

Mummytime point taken. Agree re school fees being an old Dolphin myself. I really wanted to comment on St Bens because that too is fee paying and if suggested as it has been, it is in my humble opinion not worth the fees in comparison.

Re Montpelier my neighbours children who attend seem happy, content, polite kids. Having spoken to the parents they seem generally happy with the primary but have raised concerns re class sizes, high staff turnover and lack of structured homework. Some quite negative comments re the head being more concerned about image over substance.

Succubi - all the schools you mention are private and the OP is looking in the state sector. It is true that Ealing's private schools don't compare with the three you listed (which isn't a great surprise given they are three of the best in the whole country). However, several state primaries in Ealing are great.

OP I would not consider living in Kingston to be living in L

Oops

I wouldn't consider Kingston to be London. It is quintessential suburbia. I personally would prefer to either live in town or in the countryside proper but each to their own. It may not seem a long journey to a London mainline station but then you have to travel round London to your final destination and all in all it will take ages and with the cost of UK babysitting I bet you won't get many nights out in town.

mummytime I agree with you re in-year application and in fact I said that too, tho perhaps not as clearly as you !

OP what we are trying to say is don't get yr hopes up too much as the popular schools will almost certainly be full.

I agree btw, Kingston while very nice is certainly not London. Guess it's a case of deciding what you want OP. IME while it is perfectly possible to go in to London from places like Kingston for the evening, in practice most people don't, at least not as a regular thing.

The other thing that I'm surprised no-one's mentioned is that you cannot apply for a state school until you have your address in UK (unless you are British Forces returning from overseas to whom special arrangements apply).

So although you can do your research into which schools you like, and correspond with them and LA about which have vacancies, you can't get a place or join a waiting list without one. If a place becomes available, it has to go to the child at the head of the waiting list on the day the place becomes available.

I live in Ruislip on the borders with Eastcote. I think for the money you are quoting for the initial areas you've focused on e.g. Chiswick, Ealing etc are unrealistic. You might be able to get something for your money in Ruislip/Eastcote - have a look at www.gibbs-gillespie.co.uk as that is a local estate agent and you will get a feel for this area which is a bit cheaper than West London. Living out here is quite different from being in central London so you will not really get city living here, it more like suburbia. However there are good links by tube and train to central London. There are some Catholic primary schools in this area but they are heavily subscribed to. I don't think there are any primary schools that would be considered outstanding nor as well known as some of those mentioned above, same for secondary. Hillingdon which is the borough does not have any grammar schools. There are a few independent schools, moreso for girls e.g. St Helens, Northwood College but these are in Northwood which maybe another area worth considering. Best of luck with your hunt. If you don't have a car then I'm not sure about being able to commute to Iver Heath from this area. I don't know if Iver Heath has a train station but there is a rail connection at a few stops around Ruislip but it's into Marylebone and out to High Wycombe/Princess Risborough direction. Perhaps as you've mentioned somewhere like Amersham/Chesham/Chalfonts/Gerrards' Cross might be worth considering but G. Cross is very pricey.