Primary school areas

[Pug6435]

Hi,

We are are a family of three and our DS will start school in September 2026.

We didn't grow up in the UK, so we are currently learning about how the education system and school admissions work.

We are currently renting, but we think that it's time we bought a property. We are considering various areas, looking at locrating and zoopla as starting points. We've shortlisted some areas, such as Ruislip, Amersham, Weybridge.

Given that we will most probably move in early-mid 2023 (fingers crossed), I think it's unlikely for us to move again before DS goes to reception. So, I am assuming that choosing a house now essentially determines which primary school DS is more likely to go to, assuming that the most likely outcome is that he will go to the school that is closest to home, given catchment areas and over subscriptions. 2026 is far away, so even if we visit some schools now, things might have changed since then. Even ofsted and school performance data will be outdated by then. Do you think it's worth digging into schools more now? what's your advice?

choosing a house now essentially determines which primary school DS is more likely to go to

I think you're more or less right.

And you're right that things can change dramatically between now and then.

Maybe have a think about small (often village) type school and larger primary and which you'd think would be best fit for your child.

Think about faith schools, where the selection criteria is a bit different, less catchment based.

Maybe look at the socio-economics of the area, because that's likely to reflect the children that attend.

But - and don't hate me for this - I think primaries are pretty-much similar (some better than others, obvs).
You're better off looking at local secondaries, even though that's a long way off

Chose an area where all the schools are generally good, and not worry too much about the specifics for now. I'd look at the statistics for steady performance for example.

Don't fixate on a certain school. There are no guarantees it won't change significantly or you would get in as they've built a block of flats in between you and the school or a bumper crop of siblings.

We didn't get into our closest primary. Or our third closest primary (we would have got the second, bit didn't want it). Dont assume the closest school is the one you will get.

Echo others, go for an area with a number of good schools, rather than one outstanding and some poorer ones.
And glance at secondaries while you are doing that sort of investigation.

Thank you all for the replies! Do you have any area recommendations in West London?
So far , we've shortlisted

• Amersham
• Chorleywood
• Ruislip
• Weybridge
• Twickenham
• Wimbledon

Any areas we might have missed? Or any comments on the above?

I can only comment on Chorleywood, which is a great area to bring up a family.
Good primary and secondary schools, diverse village vibe with excellent rail links to london and beyond.
Countryside, nearby shopping town ((Watford).
What is your budget? Chorleywood can be pricey.

All the primary schools in the boroughs of Richmond and Kingston are good. They are also not particularly full in Richmond at the moment for a variety of reasons. The Train line to london from twickenham is very fast hence high house prices. You could also look in Hampton and Sunbury for cheaper housing (still expensive). There is a train station at Fullwell that is near a primary school called Stanley that is fairly easy to get a place at.
New Malden also has excellent primary schools.
Bear in mind the birth rate has dropped and many families moved out of London during the pandemic when looking at catchments for Greater London primary schools.

@Pug6435
Amersham is selective for secondary, so bear that in mind. However if DC is selected, fantastic schools available.

Amersham does have a variety of primary schools from CofE to very sought after and less desirable! If you want the most sought after, then you need to buy in catchment and very close to the school. Chesham Bois and Little Chalfont are also popular. Look closely at KS2 results. They tell you everything! These schools don’t change much and the sought after ones have been for decades! Bucks has great info about admissions so check out the exact details for each school. Great Missenden is worth a look too and Great Kingshill.

As PP mentioned, you may like to consider whether you want to live in an area with selective schooling at secondary.
Some areas have 'super selectives' and otherwise comprehensives.
Some areas are full on grammar & 'comprehensives' (but without top set pupils)
Some areas are fully comprehensive.
If you go for a selective system you need to be happy with the non-grammar schools too, and possibly for tutoring / 11+ angst.

(I live in a fully comp area which seems far less stress and able kids still come out with lots of top grades.)

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Would you consider Amersham super-selective?
Looking at locrating, almost half of the children from the Amersham primary schools (Elangeni, Woodside, St Mary - even E-ACT), seem to make it grammar school. If he is a good student, he seems to stand a fairly good chance for Grammar, compared to other areas at least?

@Pug6435
No. Bucks is not super selective. It’s a county wide system. There are 13 grammars.

Although most of the primary schools you mention serve very middle class areas. Many Parents have good jobs and are well educated. Little Chalfont used to have even higher pass rates! People here target the grammars and have often moved to be in catchment for the best primary schools.

Schools here don’t release pass rates so I’m not sure where the figures come from. Can you say?

It’s not a quota system that’s operating either. In some schools less than 5% get a place! I have seen schools with 0 passing. Not so much in south Bucks but certainly in some areas. You cannot think that by sitting next to clever enough Dc, yours will be the same. There’s so much going on outside school that makes a difference.,

You really should consider whether you would be happy to go to a non-grammar if you are relocating to Bucks. Suppose he has an off day on the 11+ or just generally is mark below the grammar line. Are you happy that the non-grammar system will provide a suitable education?

I have no idea about the quality of secondary schools in Bucks, but I have seen here on MN some parents who are aiming for 11+ but if not say they will go private. Your child isn't in school yet you can have no idea where on the curve he really lies.

The non Grammars in Bucks may be fine for all I know. But if choosing to move to a grammar area, you are also potentially choosing schools with top streams removed with potential for fewer academic options and on average worse behaviour.

Thanks for the responses.

@TizerorFizz I've found the figures from locrating.com. You need to buy a subscription to get access to the data. For every primary school, you can then see the destination secondary schools and lots of other info.

I've read some threads on MN about Amersham School, it seems a bit mixed. Some parents seem happy, other don't. But it seems very likely that the top students will be in the grammars and not in Amersham School.

@Pug6435
Of course they won’t be in the secondaries but just look at the value added for the Amersham school. It’s well above average and the latest data gives 60% with maths snd English at grade 5 and above. That’s better than lots of comps but clearly reflects the neighbourhood. So many people are justifiably happy with the school and the grammars are there for 6th form if needed.

@Pug6435
I have just found the grammars publish this for free. The destinations really tell you about demographics. Not so much the schools. It’s very weighted against fsm and poorer area schools, which they make clear in other reports. Also some areas appear quite leafy but in reality are not.

@Pug6435 Hope you are well. Curious to learn which location did you finally choose and the reason behind so?

we are in a similar position now, with our DC will be eligible for primary next year and we are also considering areas like Ruislip, Amersham, Little Chalfont.

@mum9rabbit You will need to be resident by mid Jan or you aren’t a Bucks resident. I wouldn’t leave it too long and look at the catchment areas.