Clueless about In year transfer to Kensington

[Gborey]

We used to live in London and my husband convinced me to move to Essex with the promise if I didn't like it we could move again in 18 months. Long story short after many arguments and 3 years of living in Essex he's agreed to sell our house and go back to a flat in London, wherever I choose he said, and I can go out and sign a lease now, tomorrow, if I find something I like.

The problem is I have a 5 year old who started school in Essex in Sept.

I would like to move to Kensington as I've read there are lots of good schools there. I'm not sure how to do it though, should I just sign a lease on a flat I like and hope he is able to transfer to a good school and take the chance of maybe getting into a not so good school, or a school which is really far?
Or do I wait and get a better idea of where he can get in and then rent a flat? Is there such thing? Would the council be able to tell me?

It is so daunting because we're okay where we are, it's just that I can't cope living in the suburbs anymore and I feel that now that my husband has finally agreed to move is my only chance to get out of here. I'm terrified of taking a bad decision though which will make it harder for us than it already is.
Does anyone have any input or has been in the same situation?

Like everywhere where there are good/less good schools and many people - you’ll have to move, sign up and wait for a place. Or maybe get lucky.
Your place in line would depend on proximity.

In your place - I’d first chose a place you are happy with and then get onto a list. The usual suspects of the popular and oversubscribed schools are Fox, Bousfield.
There is a new primary around Olympia.
And a few food church schools that also take catchment kids.
Your son is still small, so with a bit of time and movement of people you’ll eventually get him to a good school.

Good luck!!!!!

You’ll probably need an address to apply for a school place. The council will offer you something but if you aren’t happy with the school, then you can go onto waiting lists at other schools.

The schools themselves should be able to tell you if they'd provisionally have a place (subject to someone else moving in ahead of you and taking it which could happen up to the point you've got a fixed address) but it'll at least give you an idea before you start the flat search.

I relocate clients , often from abroad. This is how we tend to do it.
Contact the LA and get a list of schools with places in the area, phone the schools to double check the ones who supposedly DO have places and ask to look around - bear in mind the availability of places can change very quickly so it’s better to prioritise schools with mor Ethan 1 place in the year group you want.
You can apply for the school from any address so do so ASAP once you know which one you want (that has spaces). While you are doing that look for a property as close to your chosen school as possible
Obviously there are some schools/LAs who do things a bit differently but this is how we usually do it

Tbh I don’t think Kensington is especially well known for good schools, partly because the private sector is so dominant. Make sure you check availability at Bousefield, Christchurch, Fox, St Mary’s et al before you commit to anything

Actually, K&C has some of the highest primary attainment in England. It’s just that the state schools tend to cater for the very deprived intake as the well off families go private.

Thank you so much everyone x

Yes K&C has some absolutely brilliant schools, primary and secondary.