Choosing between 3 schools (very close vs further but perfect) in Kingston/Teddington

[Thameside]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping for some insight as I’m completely agonising over our primary school preference order. Geographically, we are virtually guaranteed a place at St Luke’s and Meadlands, and I’m about 70-80% sure we’d get into Collis (at least via the summer waitlist), so I know it all comes down to how we rank them. St Luke’s is literally over the road from us, which is a dream for logistics. The academics are great and the children I see in the playground are incredibly polite and lovely. However, the outdoor space is small with no grass, and I didn't get a great vibe from the teachers on our tour. The biggest sticking point is the religion: we are an atheist, progressive family, and the school feels heavily religious. They have evangelical groups come in, and their relationship education only teaches about married men and women, which makes us very uncomfortable.

On the other end of the spectrum, I absolutely adored Collis. The headteacher was wonderful and clearly very informed on the latest educational studies. It has brand new buildings, huge grassy spaces, and we actually prefer a larger 3-form entry because they mix the classes up. I also really liked that they use forward-facing desks from Year 2/3 for better concentration. The only con is the distance. It’s a 10-12 minute cycle, though it’s along cycle paths and quiet roads, and I have an e-cargo bike with space for both my children. (Alternatively, it's a quick bus or a 10-minute drive with unrestricted parking). We also toured Meadlands and were really impressed. It has a lovely warm atmosphere, a great headteacher, and a fantastic curriculum (they teach finance, debate, and LAMDA drama). The children were engaged and well-behaved, and it has surprisingly large grounds for a 1-form entry. The downsides are the slightly tired building, a 10-minute river cycle/drive, and the fact that they aren't filling their classes, which worries me regarding friendship opportunities for my kids.

Basically, I’m torn between the ultimate 2-minute convenience of St Luke’s (but compromising our values and ignoring a bad vibe) versus taking on a 10-minute commute for Collis (which felt perfect) or Meadlands (which felt incredibly warm and unique). Has anyone been in a similar position, or does anyone have experience with these schools? Would love to know if doing the daily commute is worth it to avoid a school that doesn't align with our ethos!

Will you meet the criteria for all the schools?

Based only on what you've written, as I am not familiar with these schools, I would order it:

1. Collis
2. Meadlands
3. St. Lukes

A 10 minute commute is completely manageable and worth it if it means you don't have to compromise on your values.

Exactly this. Don’t choose a school you don’t like. 10 mins is fine (we do that by bike).

One thing to look at - what’s the wraparound care like? If you need that, it needs to be an important factor for you.

Thank you. I think that’s the order we’re erring towards. I see people mention a lot being close is the most important thing and you want to avoid a long journey but I suppose they’re probably not referring to a 10 minute journey. There are two other “compromise” schools that are closer than our two favourites that would be 15 minute walks, but I suppose overall commute time doesn’t change.

All of them have full, comprehensive wraparound care. It’s not actually a need for us at the moment, though, as I don’t plan on returning to work for another 3 years or so, and even then I’ll be self employed.

If you love Collis, list it first

It wont affect your chances of getting into the nearer school if you dont get a place.

Is the 10min cycle also walkable/public transport as a back up?

From what you have said (and knowing the area) I would put Collis first, particularly given you are unsure if you would get in. Then Meadland, and then somewhere else. What about Hampton Wick/Latiymer/Fern Hill? When we lived in a very very nearby road to you, a lot of people were going for HWI, Teddington felt a bit far at that time. This is going back around a decade though. I assume you are not close enough for Alexandra? And are discounting faith schools?

That said, birth rates are declining and we had a choice of at least 6 schools we could definitely get into 3 years ago in the same area (we are now closer to Bushy Park though, I do remember KT2 being a bit more of a mindfield!) and all of those schools accepted everyone who applied by the August cut off so in all honesty, put St Lukes in 6th place if you would prefer your children to go there than anywhere that had space, but keep in mind that unless there was a massive peak in births during your childs year then the likelihood is you will get into one of your other choices.

Yeah we know we should always put our first preference first and it doesn’t affect how we’re ranked for the others. There’s technically a couple of buses, or even 2 stops on the train (as well as driving) but walking wouldn’t be an option with small children. It would take me about 30-35 minutes to walk on my own.

Thank you. Yeah I’ve looked at previous years intakes and furthest distance etc and spoken to a few of the heads: we’re fortunate enough to basically have our choice. Collis’ head said that last year they only just filled their spaces and had 5 on the waitlist, all or most who got places after offer day. I think 10 years ago we would have been confined to St Luke’s (though even then as we weren’t churchgoers we may not have). Alexandra is basically the only one we have no chance of getting into, but I actually wasn’t a fan after visiting anyway and they’ve just got a new head.

HWI infants is so lovely but there’s a current consultation happening to decide whether to merge them and the juniors into one site and make it a single form entry for 2027, so there’s too many unknowns for me. Latimer is definitely on our list but Fern Hill didn’t really suit us, though I’m sure my children would be happy there anyway. We basically have a good problem with such strong schools!

I don’t know the schools but here to say the closest school doesn’t seem like an option in this scenario. I always, always say the closest (as I’m in Scotland so that seems logical!) but I think you’d regret it in this situation. I’d look at the 15 minute ones again for a 3rd choice over evangelicals preaching to my kids.

I'm a complete stranger with no knowledge of the schools/area, but even I can tell immediately from what you've written where your heart lies. Trust your gut. Only you know what is a manageable commute for your family.

I'm also in the process of applying for Reception 2027, and it looks like our first preference will be a 20 minute (adult) walk. Not ideal but we will make it work because we feel the school is the best fit for our child.

That’s fair. The reason we’re even considering it is because I know a few atheist parents whose children attend and say their kids don’t really consider the stories to be true or take on the religious stuff.

Yeah my husband and me were blown away by Collis for sure. We both came out of the tour certain that was the right school and I’m only second guessing in retrospect. The other parent son the tour were also so engaged and asked really good questions vs all of the other tours. There’s a chance we don’t even get in based on distance so we have to be okay with the other schools, but it’s worth a punt by putting it as our first choice.

Just remember that a pleasant cycle trip may be pretty bad in driving rain and cold wind. When the weather is poor traffic and parking near the school may make the journey difficult. Do check you can park a cargo bike there to drop off dc. I know people who chose a very nice (private) school over perfectly good state options and seeing them this evening they are regretting the decision, their 15 drive took 40 minutes today, I could have told them that! The roads are clogged with parents driving dc in my town as soon as it rains

Ahh really? I think part of the love for HWI was that they expanded to add an additional class which made it an option for families on the Kingston side of the river which wasn't as much as a trek as Teddington. A number of Richmond Borough schools have dropped their PAN and/or created closer ties to the linked junior school. I only see that as a good thing as they are future proofing based on demand and it makes transititions between KS1 and 2 easier. It doesn't make financial sense for families to have 10+ schools that they know they can get a place in because they no longer exceed their PAN as the number of children entering reception has dropped, particularly jwhen they are all excellent options.

As much as you are keen on Collis, I would echo what others have said about your plan to get there. What happens when your eldest child doesnt fit/doesnt want to go in the Cargo bike? There is A LOT of traffic/congestion around the Bridge - I wouldn't be comfortable having a child on their own bike in front/behind me as they got older, for example, so then you would be on buses/trains which would take 30 mins plus one way in traffic. I am not saying consider St Lukes (or St Pauls) but you have A LOT of non religious options in the area that do not involve a river crossing and your kids would be more able to go on impromptu playdates etc. Or buy 2 cars, which one family we know of does and keep them on opposite sides of the river - which is the extreme option!!

In terms of the bike, I’m not sure if you know of it but I have a Tern GSD, so it’s not a box type thing. I sometimes sit on the back while my husband cycles, so it honestly can fit both kids even into their teens if you change the child seats to bench seating (fully aware they won’t fancy that by then!) so it is future proofed and safe, plus it’s electric which makes it an easy ride and the kids can be covered in the rain and wind. I tried the cycle the other morning at 8:30 and it was fine, there’s cycle lanes from my house and over Kingston bridge so traffic has no effect. The only bit without cycle lanes is down the Upper Teddington Road but it’s a very wide road.