Help! Advice on private schools and locations greatly needed!

[usatransplant]

Hello! I recently moved to England from Los Angeles, and am looking for an area to live that is within a 50 minute train ride to London (for my husband), and has great schools (most important). The education system here is so different, so I am quite lost and am not making any progress googling and trying to decipher league tables! (I have a 4 year old and a baby).

We are currently renting in Saffron Walden, and don't love it, although we do like my son's nursery, Dame Bradbury's. We think we would like to go the private schools route, but are open to other options.

I am looking for a school that fosters creativity, is nurturing, and is academically rigorous. We will literally move anywhere within a 50 minute radius of London!

I know my requirements are probably too vague, but if anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much in advance!

1. Where in London is your husband working?
2. What is it about Saffron Walden you don't love (so we know what not to suggest!)

St Albans
Hitchin
Letchworth
All in Hertfordshire

Coombe
Richmond
Kingston
All in Surrey

Do you have lots of money? If so look at Virginia Waters, Sevenoaks and Beaconsfield.

We just did a few recces when looking for somewhere to live. We also bought the Telegraph commuterland book. The house prices are probably out of date, but the content is good.

You might consider Guildford, it's a 30 minute commute and has some high performing private schools (one is in the top 20 or possible top 10 nationally and has been for many years).

I think all of the top Guildford private schools are single sex schools though. Still if schools are your highest priority then looking at only the top 20 or 30 in the national league tables, cross referenced by journey times, should help you to narrow your options considerably.

I realise at this point I might sound rather nerdy - if so apologies!

Bishops stortford (only 29 mins from Saffron Walden) has Howe Green House near by in Hallingbury as an independent primary which is very family orientated and nurturing in ethos, also Bishops Stortford College has a prep school. Lots of good primary state schools though most oversubscribed do you would need to be choosy in where you lived in town if you go down the state route. Good luck

If you move to Guildford or the area, there are some co-ed preps nearby if you would prefer co-ed. The schools are pretty academic though, and quite expensive.

Are you likely to return to the US? If so I would certainly look at the ACS schools.

Try Sevenoaks. 25 mins on train to city. Lots of private prep schools. Near to countryside, but easy access to London, culture, etc. Some Ex Pats social scene if that would be something you would look for.

Hello ! Move to Hove ! My children attend a small independent school called Deepdene School in Hove. You could not wish for a better school! It takes children from 6 months to 11 years old. It has excellent academic standards (73% of their year 6 children gained academic scholarships or art or drama awards to their first choice senior schools and every child gained a place at their first choice school) and it has a really happy and nurturing atmosphere. Ofsted has just graded Deepdene as Outstanding in EVERY aspect. It is definitely worth a read ! Hove and Brighton are great places to live with culture, countryside and the sea! Hope that's helpful.

Did you leave Saffron Walden? And what did you like or not like about Dame Bradbury's? I'm interested as we might move to that area and we are interested in this school. Thank you!