Big decision

[losingmymarbles1983]

Hi,
I am in a dilemma and seeking advice. Daughter is in Y6. Son in Y4, in a brilliant state primary in London.
Local state secondary is going downhill fast. Teachers leaving, striking, no science and maths teachers left.... really feel like I don't want to send my kids there. Don't think either of my kids would thrive there, but all their mates are going and it's walking distance.

SO, do we sell up (1.1million ish) move north to family, Manchester-way, and buy a similar house for about 800-900k, keeping 200k for private secondary schools?

OR do we stick it out in London, send them to a dodgy secondary, and supplement with tutors, and hope they get by ok?

Really worried (and yes I know this is a super privileged position to be in in many ways) but has anyone sold up and moved at the last minute as they are so horrified by sudden changes in local secondary school!? My plan b is quite drastic and I need to sense-check it. Thanks

If you moved Manchester way into an £8/900K house, I'd bet you'd have good state school options available to you.

A budget of 800-900K should buy you a house in an area of good state schools in Manchester. Bear in mind it is a grammar area too.
Don't get hung up on the mates thing. Friendships change very quickly in Yr 7 so even if they started secondary with friends from primary, it's unlikely they would still be friends by end of the first term as everyone finds new friendship groups. IMO that's the last criteria on the list when looking at schools.

Do you work FT? Can you essuly facilitate tutors etc?

Are you able to remortgage your current house?

Personally I wouldn't make such a big move only for school. And when you don't live in an area it's really hard to get a proper feel for what schools are like anyway. But if you also have family up there and you're thinking of it anyway, then it seems pretty sensible. But I'd be more inclined to try and move into a good catchment area.