London's expatriate in september, need help for the school

[chancyril]

Hi everybody
First I apologize for my very bad english... I promise i'll take classes as soon as possible.
We learned recently that we are going to be expatriate in London in september. We were very happy. We have three kids girl 6 years old, boys 9 and 10 years old. My husband is in London this week to find a school and an house. But everything seems worst and worst. The relocator told us there's no more open spaces in private school (only in the expensive one we can't afford) and that it will be impossible to have a state school at this period... My husband will work in Marylebone, we were thinking to search in Hampstead or near that and now the relocator told us that we have to go in Wimbledon or in Hendon to find schools with open space.... Is that true that we won't be able to have states schools now? do you know about school with open spaces (and not the most expensive ones)? I would really appreciate any comments... We are completely lost... and I feel terribly sorry to have my husband alone and not able to know what he can do.
Thank you for your help

Chantal

Southfields has st michaels for a good school. Sheringdale is good too. Let me know if you want a flat to rent - available in September ;).

I was about to say what sleepyeyed said re the lycee in Kentish Town, this has recently opened in enlarged premises, I understand from chatting recently to a parent with a child there that they have space. You could then look at living in (in rough order of budget) Hampstead/Primrose Hill, Dartmouth Park, Camden, Kentish Town... all close to Regents Park/Hampstead Heath. Wimbledon is lovely but a very different feel to North London and obviously further way from Marylebone.

Thank you all, I was not aware about the part of the lycee in Kentish town, I knew only what the enterprise of my husband told us "it's already too late to think about the french school" and it was not a problem for us like I said because we were so happy to have a local experience.... but we didn't know it would be so hard. FriskyBivalves, I hope french people are nice with you... we were so welcome here in USA... And in Mumsnet, I know how it's important to feel good with the others? My husband seems really happy to have a solution : Wimbledon, and it seems that renting is a little bit less expensive too which is good. Thank you

Hi,

You might find these two websites useful

www.avenuedesecoles.com/

www.mamanalondres.com/

Lycee (& their satellite Primary schools), CFBL, Jacques Prevert, L'ecole Bilingue, L'ecole de Battersea are full- 1000 children get turned down every year due to an acute shortage of spaces.

Y.

CFBL opened last year; completely full at Primary level. Best time to try is after each school holiday to check whether some parents have left thus freeing up spaces.
French embassy is now looking for a further building to accommodate a further 1000 pupils in 2014; part of Plan Ecole.
List of French schools in UK or English Schools with CNED
www.institut-francais.org.uk/francais/scolarite-francaise

Good luck!