Hill House International School- Question for parents in the area

[amusedparent]

Our DS has an admit to the Hill House International school to start in Sep 2022 in the reception class. We loved the school on our visits but we don't live close to the school yet so plan to move into the neighborhood. However herein lies our dilemma, the areas close to the school are ridiculously expensive! It is almost impossible to get a 3 bedroom house with any outdoor space without paying like 1500-2000 pw as rent. So we were wondering if there any other neighborhoods that were sufficiently close commute wise ( 10-15 min drive or 20-25 min bus ride) which might be more affordable ? Hoping to get some nice practical advice from parents who send their little ones to schools in their area.

Barons Court, Hammersmith, Turnham Green are on the picadilly line, not far by tube from Knightsbridge and would be cheaper to rent/buy...Can the school tell you the areas kids travel from and that may provide some steer?

I mean it's smack bang in the heart of Belgravia so there isn't going to be any magic bullet for that. It's prime London and anything close is going to be similar.

I would think about a tube ride...maybe you could try Hammersmith area as it's on Piccadilly. It's still not cheap, but it's going to be WAY less expensive than Belgravia.

Maybe a flat with garden access in Pimlico?

For reception the HH building is half way down the Kings Road about a 15min walk from Sloane Square. I would recommend Battersea (you can walk across the bridge) or Fulham for a easy-ish commute. But be warned the King's Road seems to be permanently congested these days!!! Good luck x

What's your rent budget?

I can't imagine a primary school that would be worth a long journey for young children; all your children's friends will be a long way away too. I'd pick an area I could afford with a school I liked.

@jlangthorn

For reception the HH building is half way down the Kings Road about a 15min walk from Sloane Square. I would recommend Battersea (you can walk across the bridge) or Fulham for a easy-ish commute. But be warned the King's Road seems to be permanently congested these days!!! Good luck x

Thanks! We would look at Fulham and Battersea as well

Hi @amusedparent our little boy is starting in reception too! We live in fulham.

Where do you currently live?

Kids from where we used to live in Lambeth went to Hill House. Bus to Sloane Square and then another bus or a brisk stroll.

Thank you for all the replies! We will definitely widen our search area a bit, seems like we might not be the only family who will be living a short commute away

There are lots living in the 137 bus route in Battersea. Try the Shaftesbury Estate or the streets running between Lavender Hill and the north side of Clapham Common (possible to walk if traffic there are roadworks or strikes, but rather long so bus better, but traffic over the bridge can be vile in the mornings)

We are an HH family (and love it) with 2 kids in year 6 and 4 - we also moved to the area to be near school, starting in a teensy mews house in Chelsea before moving across the river to Battersea. I would highly recommend taking a look here, the value is loads better and the park is a massive asset.

We are west of the park, but also looked south + east (even in the Power Station, which has some cool flats if that is of interest).

HH families in Battersea seem to do a mix of driving or bus. I take the kids on the bus then walk home (I work from home) which is a nice start to my day.

Another thing to keep in mind wherever you look is that you will change buildings as they go up in years - so think about your route not only to Small School (reception) but also Cadogan (yr 1-4) and Hans Place (yr 5-8) - the years go faster than you expect!

Following this thread with interest as my son starts in September! Any other Fulham families out there?

A bit late to this thread but let me try and help.

Reception - Located on Flood Street - Closest Tube station is Sloane Square (Circle/District Lines). It's a 10 min walk (by yourself) or about 12-15 min (with child). There are buses that go on Kings Road but I'd recommend walking through the inner roads. Getting to and from Flood Street by car/bus is not ideal due to traffic on Kings Road.

Y1-Y4 - Cadogan Gardens - This is a short walk (<5 mins) from Sloane Square (Circle/District Line) so is very convenient on the Tube.

Y5-Y8 - Hans Place - Closest Tube is probably Knightsbridge (Piccadilly) but walkable from Sloane Square as well (9 mins maybe).

Children come from all over Central London but I think that anything on the Circle/District line is fine. Victoria/Westminster is a popular location.

These is also a school bus service and it's worth checking with them for morning pick-ups. Not sure if this is still up to date but the pick-up spots were as follows -

West Run
07.20 Bravington Road, Maida Vale, W9 3AL
07.25 Lanark Road W9 1QR
07.35 Queensway, W2 5HL
07.50 Strathearn Place W2 2NG
07.52 Albion Street, W2 2AS
08.00 Park Lane at bus stop near the junction with North Row

SW 1 Run
07.05 Outside Temperance Pub, 90 Fulham High St SW6 3LF
07.13 Harbord Street, SW6 6PL
07.15 Fulham Palace road, SW6 6HY
07.32 Jersey Court, Dairy Close SW6 4HB
07.36 Moore Park Rd SW6 jn Cedarne Rd
07:40 Moore Park Road, SW6 2JB (between Fulham Road and Kings Road)
07.45 Chelsea Harbour, at roundabout on junction of Townmead Rd and Harbour Ave on the NW side heading back towards Kings Rd

SW 2 Run
07.25 Outside Warren House, Beckford Close, Warrwick Rd W14 8TT
07.32 Post Box next to
near 117-133 Oakwood Court, W14 8LA
07.40 Campden Hill Square W8 7JY
07.45 Walnut Court, St Mary's Gate, Kensington, London W8 5UB
07.55 Queen's Gate Terrace SW7 5RR

Don't know whether they still do evening drop-offs as there wasn't as much demand previously.

Hope this helps.