St Paul’s bus

[Sevenplus]

Hi. We have an offer for 7+ at St Paul’s and we live a bit far. Which means an hours commute on the school bus for DS each way. Anyone’s son does such a long commute? Do the kids get homework each day that he will struggle to get done if he returns home so tired. any thoughts/ experiences?

Hmm.
It’s hard… my 2 older children went/ go to grammar schools an hour away door-to -door. (Train is 25 min, 15 min walk to/ from stations either end.) DC3 hopefully going in September.

All 3 went to their local primary. I feel bad enough they don’t have local friends and have to get up at 6.30 from 11 onwards. 7 does seem young.

Can you move?

I know it’s a big name school… but it’s not the be all and end all is it? <might have missed meaning of life>

We are at WUS (comparable workload) and can walk to it in under 5 minutes. With homework and after school extras there isn't enough time in the day for us (with basically no travel time). The children coming from NW seem to struggle so much with time and commute. By Y6 you're looking at 90 minutes homework.

Please consider a long term plan to move and be mindful of the bridge closures, which have been a consistent thing since I've been alive. I don't think I can remember a time even in the 80s where it was open more than a few years straight.

I was on the bus to SPS in the early 90s for 5 years and in all honesty it was never an issue…..perhaps it was ok for me as I was the first stop on the way home (Baker St)…..but I think I got to watch Neighbours every day.

Although there were no after school clubs for me….clubs generally were during the long lunch breaks.

it’s a difficult one….I’m sure for a 7 year old it may be more of an issue (the commute)……

Not saying it isn't doable it's just for an 11 year commitment there's so much value in proximity. I don't know situation but unlike Westminster SPS has so many great little centres close by (cycle/walking) they wouldn't lose garden space for example.

Long commutes are hard for me to personally accept as in my teenage years I was home 2 hours before Neighbours started. After school I had to finish homework, change to outdoor clothes to go back out to play all before Newsround which was dinner time. Getting home from school at 5:30pm back then didn't work for my family routine but I accept it's doable.

Thank you everyone! A follow up question - if my son converts his city junior second round and we take that up instead of SPJ, is that giving up too much?

Too much in what respect? What advantages do you see SPJ has over City for your son? It depends on why you think SPJ is a better fit for your child (ethos, sport / cocurricular, facilities, pastoral care, etc) and what you’d be forgoing.

Not that this contributes anything, but Barnes Bridge is only rail and foot traffic.

Vehicles have to use Putney or Chiswick Bridges if they aren't dropping off on the North Side. It adds at least half an hour.

SPJ has more space and hence more sporting activities. If your son is not sporty then not much a difference really. If he is or you want him to be then SPJ might offer more opportunities.

I’m hearing the bridge may open sooner…..so potentially 30 minutes less travel time from end of 2023?

Giving up on the reputation/ the name. My son isn’t sporty so sports isn’t a huge factor. Having the sports fields is a great plus but not something that is on the top of our checklist.

Too much in terms of reputation/ the name. Sports not a great big deal for us as DS isn’t very sporty.

You mean prestige? That’s not something anyone can actually quantify for you. They are both very high performing schools.

Any supposed difference in prestige is unlikely to make any meaningful impact on the quality of your child’s life but it feels like you’d probably always question this. Just move closer to SPJ.

Loads of kids in rural areas travel 1hr+ to get to school, and a perfectly big standard school at that.

Yep, but not necessarily private schools which have longer days.

Everyone will have a different opinion, but St Paul’s and Westminster will always have a certain level of prestige.
but the most important thing is that the school must be right for your child.

Nephew started this year in year 3 and loves the bus (1hr). He made friends on it with boys from different years and they look out for him at school too. They chat about hobbies and interests so seems like a mobile common room.

Most clubs are during lunch time so that can join in.

Homework is quite light currently compared to Westminster. However I would agree a few years on there would be additional work and after school clubs.

BIL,sister and nephew really pleased with the choice. Also gets him up and out the door on time.

What did you end up chosing? We are in a dilemma too

Hi

Keen to know what bus routes are available from Notting Hill to St Paul’s ?

You can ask school admissions for info on parent run buses which my NW London son age 8 is on one of them. Some parents find a local bus company and organise the route. The official one is run by KURA bus company.

He really enjoys the journey and I get told off on occasions where I pick him up directly!

Any one wants info on NW London buses or general SPJ info do PM me.

@7PlusPP1234

Give me a PM if still looking for bus info.

Already accepted a place or future research?

Thank both
will pm