Am I crazy to consider a commute from West Hampstead to Sloan Square for my daughter’s school?

[USAUKMAMA]

The subject says it all. Is West Hampstead to Sloan Square (probably by public transport) too much of a commute for an almost 7 year old? The solution is finding somewhere to live that is nearer to the school, but is this a terrible thing to do for a short time at least? There may be a school bus from near by, but still...

How would you do it? Go down on the Jubilee Line and then change at Westminster? Although people on MN are often rather aghast at the idea of taking a child on the tube, it would probably take less than half an hour.

I live in WH. That is way further than I could be bothered to go , but as pp says, it's not really that far to go to Westminster and then hop on the Circle Line.

Guess it depends whether it suits you re. needing to go to work (if applicable) and / or drop off and collect any other children?

I live outside London so am probably very ignorant about finding School places but I would only do this sort of journey if I knew that we would be able to move close to the school within a 6-12 month time frame.my reasons would be:
No nearby friends for DD tosocialise with
The time taken there and back every day tiring a 7 year old and reducing their opportunities for after school activities and play.
The time taken by me taking her there and back on public transport every day ( or by a nanny) , I would have thought at least 3 hours minimum.
There is probably a bus from Marylebone bone road are so she could perhaps do the second part of the journey alone( with friends) from 9 or 10 ,
Parents evenings and other sundry events would be very inconvenient.
If you have more than 1 child the logistics could be greatly magnified.

Yes - it is too far unless you have firm plans to move.
Not only will she be tired with the commute - but also friendships/play dates/clubs, etc will be difficult.

The only school there I can think of is FH, or maybe HH?
Similar schools must exist in Hampstead. No?

check what the commute is actually like at school time

We decided against a commute on the tube because although on paper it is fine, in daily reality it is pretty shit - queuing for multiple trains then squashing on and would be bad for a kid (northern line )

Yes, it would be madness. Her friends would be far away for play dates etc and at 7 no school is worth that journey.

On the opposite side, we commuted across London for primary school, which was a lot further than you're proposing. It meant that DC was at school very close to each of our works. DC survived just fine, and you can do a lot of reading, etc on the commute even if you're standing.

Depends with Sloane Sq school? Some have kids travelling from further away and others most kids are local Chelsea kids. Are you sure there isn't a just as good school in Hampstead?

Considering a similar journey to Sloane square. For Eaton House Belgravia. Close to work, after school clubs till 5pm on some days and flexible working means I can pick up at 3:30 x3 times a week. I am thinking he does some activities at the weekend here anyway, so would have local friends, as well as our kids friends....but do wonder if the commute would tire him out...or if most boys at EHB are local

Does the 328 bus go near the school? You might need to change at Hyde park but Iran more pleasant than the tube. It’s not a great commute, I did it for years. I’m an adult as well, to be fair