Richmond (London) relocation - primary schools

[londonrelocate]

Hi - we are moving to Richmond this summer after living many years abroad. We are looking to live close (with 15 minute walk) of Richmond Station and would like to find a local state primary school for our two youngest (7 and 4 years old - reception and Year 3). We have complete flexibility on where we live but will not have a confirmed address for another few months as we need to finish up the school year here before we make the move.

Whilst the move is confirmed, UK work contract signed, movers getting lined up etc - without an address this of course makes confirming a school spot more tricky.

Wondering:

a) if anyone else has gone through this type of process - does the Borough have any flexibility in such a situation

b) can anyone recommend which of the primary schools in Richmond we might have a better chance of getting a space at given the ages of our children? I understand Deer Park has a huge wait list for example so that might be a waste of time living right next to.

The council has a vacancy checker which is updated regularly but it’s worth phoning them as things change quickly. I don’t know the primary schools at all.

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Living next to the school you want puts you higher up the waiting list so it’s a waiting game.

And once you get a place for one dc the other moves straight to the top of the list.

You're looking to move to the most expensive area of Richmond but there are some excellent schools not much further out - e.g. St Mary's, Chase Bridge. It might be worth checking out the surrounding areas.

It's really difficult to know which schools will end up with places. You might get more information joining a local Facebook group and asking there. I don't know Richmond schools, so can't help there.

I assume you know this, but time on the waiting list doesn't get you a place. You could move next door to a school and jump onto their waiting list at/near the top. However you are probably wise to focus on the less oversubscribed schools, as the really popular schools may have several people waiting with siblings already in the school.

I would aim for a location that allows you to access several schools with relative ease, ideally larger schools that are more likely to have movement. I know this is worrying, but you need to be prepared for the possibly of your DC ending up in separate schools.

Friends of ours moved and got both their children into their 2nd choice school. Their eldest then got a place at their 1st choice a few days later, but they had to wait around 5 months for their youngest to join her. Another family moved their eldest to another local school and it was at least a year before the youngest got a spot. Richmond may have a more mobile population, which may work in your favour, but it also has very good schools, so that encourages people to stay.

Probably best to ask the council nearer to the time which school has space for both of your children. Sometimes you may get one space for one and can take ages for another. It can a bit logistic nightmare as some
of the school starts and finishing very similar time. Also, I don’t know how easy your kids will deal with the changes, move country and then move a child few months after might be difficult for them to settle.
generlaly any schools in Richmond are quite good. Of course there are better run and better results ones, however it’s hard to say which one fits your children the best as well as the vibe of the school.
near deer park, there’s also Orleans primary, vineyard, marsh gate, they all good as the school go. If you can spare time or have the opportunity, I’d highly recommend you to contact the school and ask for a tour to have a “feel” of the school rather than just deciding based on videos.
it maybe a little far to think but if you stay for the long term, it’s pretty also worth to think about location for secondary school as the number of secondary places are a lot more limited and competitive than primary.
good luck with moving and hope you will find a school you and your children like!