SPCS - do kids commute from Greenwich?

[Sindaf2225]

Hi, we are considering sending our DS to St Paul's Cathedral School for reception and we live around Maze Hill in Greenwich. I am wondering if there are other kids traveling from Greenwich/Maze Hill/Blackheath area to the school. I understand that most of the kids in SPCS live around Islington/Barbican area. I wonder if we would be one of the only ones travelling from south east. Thanks!

Hi,

My daughter has offer from City of London Girls - so close to SPCS! I think best commute to Barbican with kids: Cannon Street and walk 10-12 mins or DLR to Bank, Farrington. Do you work in the city?

Thanks! Yes, both my husband and I work in the City. We are planning to take the train to Cannon street and walk to SPCS. For the short term, I think it is okay. For the long run, it feels like we always need to have a job in the City (at least one of us). Although at least one of us having a job in the City is likely, it still feels a bit daunting.

One of the reasons I asked the question is to understand if can expect to find other people living around Greenwich and going to SPCS (or schools are around, like your case) or if we will be the only ones. Obviously this will change year by year but I am still curious if we are doing something so out of ordinary.

I think it’s quite normal for these schools to have children coming from a wide range of locations. It’s certainly much more common at senior school level though.

However, is it the right approach for prep?
Are there more local prep schools that can offer something similar?

My reasons are below:

1. You’re committing to the commute every day (even if you no longer work in the city).
2. You’re committing to going in daily, which means losing any benefit of working from home and potentially missing out on local support (e.g. childminders, family).
3. Your child’s young friends will be spread all over London.

We had a similar concern and decided on a local prep. It’s not ideal for a city commute, but it’s easier to build in flexibility as circumstances change over time.

think it'd be pretty unusual as there are so many good schools local to SE10. Local friends for play dates is much easier too.

I know some who went to SPCS but they were 8 or 9 when they started - singing in the choir.

We are in Greenwich , and I know of two boys who left our daughter’s primary school to go to St Paul’s, but , as per the previous poster, both as choristers at 8 + , so boarded.