Best state school Primaries and places to live

[GreatQuestioner]

Hi all,

We currently live in Canary Wharf (London) and have a 4yo son. We’re looking to sell and move somewhere else to increase our son’s access to education long term. From the research we’ve done it seems that N, NW London seems to have the broadest state and independent school offering. Does everyone agree? Especially given that we’re looking for relatively affordable neighbourhoods in the hope of scooping a house with a garden (or at least a more
spacious flat).

Even restricting the search to North London is quite hard - for example Haberdashers is in Elstree and QE for Boys in Barnet.

So taking into account real estate affordability and quality of education where (specifically) would you suggest best to live in and around London?

I'd look further afield outside London into places with excellent commutes - like kent for example.

Did you mean to start another thread? If your son is already 4 he should be starting school on September and you would already have the place. Are you looking for an in year transfer?

You've strayed 2 threads on the same topic did you mean to do that?

I'll repeat my post from your other thread.

If he's already 4 won't he be starting school in September? Surley you've already applied for his place at a school even if you're planning to defer his entry?

If you're looking for the best schools presumably these will be over subscribed and will by April already have huge waiting lists full of children who submitted applications?

@cadink if we’re talking Kent, Sevenoaks seems to be the area I identified as having a good grammar and a independent school. Any other areas you had in mind

@JuneOsborne we don’t as he is currently schooled abroad, so we may have to get something for a later date or as you suggest go for an in-year transfer

@R0ckets sorry, got an error the first time I posted it, so I tried again and now I see they both work.

Beckenham and West Wickham have great primaries, state secondaries and access to lots of indies (dlulwich, trinity, Sevenoaks, etc, lots of gdst schools). As well as the Bromley grammars. Good train access to London and near the countryside too.

@sm40 thank you for your suggestions SM, indeed there are some nice areas in West Wickham and Beckenham.

re the schools you mentioned, can I check you’re referring to:
Dulwhich College
trinity Lewisham.org.uk
bromleyindependentgrammar.co.uk/
?

Trinity is in Croydon, along with whitgift. Dulwich college is in Dulwich. Also train access to Sevenoaks. And Eltham and colfes are nearby too. These are boys schools (Eltham, colfes and Sevenoaks are co ed).
Girls have Bromley, Croydon and Sydenham high.

What's your house budget and where do you need to commute into within London. I would say most parts of London, North, West, Southwest and South East are good for state and indie schools if you select the right neighbourhood.

Cambridge

I'd put your DS in a prep like the one in Trinity Wharf and decide at 7+/11+

You'll have a much better idea of the type of school your DS needs by then and you can apply for the right school and move accordingly . Or you could just move anywhere in SW London and never be too far from a good school.

Completely agree with @DaddyPhD . Unless DS has proven to be a superbright at the age of 4 it is difficult to know whether he will get place at Haberdashers or QE for Boys in Barnet.

Muswell school is often mentioned on here as having good state primaries and secondaries so may be worth having a look. I am in Kent and I don't really recommend the grammar system- I guess it works better if you could afford a private secondary as a back up option.