So - can anyone sell Beckenham to me?

[LittlePickleHead]

Just that really. Trying to upsize within our (very lovely) SE London enclave. NOTHING on the market to buy within our price range at the moment (things have been very slow all summer). Our EA mentioned Beckenham and said that most people selling flats in our current area are relocating to Beckenham to buy houses, and for the schools.

I've been there once to the cinema, can't say it massively left an impression. Is there anyone who has relocated there who can tell me anything about it? Which primary schools should we be looking close to? Where are the lovely open spaces to look out for? anything else we should know? My wish list is period 3 bed near good primary, close to shops and also open space/parkland for the children. All for a budget of £400k. Is this possible??

[LilMissSunshine9]

Oh forgot to say the parks are amazing so nice and serene I love Kelsey Park.

[confusedperson]

I live on Croydon borough border with Beckenham and know Beckenham quite well. But for everyone saying that secondaries are good, I have a question. Langley is good but that?s in Eden Park /West Wickham area. If you live close to Beckenham high street or Clockhouse area, which secondary schools do you have? Kelsey sports college is no good and I Harris Academy is not the top one.
And where are those 3 bed houses for 220k in Beckenham?
I would like to consider a move to Beckenham for all above listed reasons, but the secondary school questions bugs me a lot!

[mamaonion]

I think you have to do your research confused if you're set on a particular school but Fwiw the Harris academies have only been taken over for one academic year so I think you need to give some time to see how they develop. If your LOs not even started primary school it's a long way ahead and a lot can change for a school

[indiegrrl]

I was there for a while and I'm afraid I found it a bit dull. Nice and green, but a tiring commute, and parks and shops full of parents talking loudly about how to get their kids into entirely white, entirely middle-class secondaries, preferably exercising academic selection as well. My mate with 3 kids recently escaped - her kids now go to an inner London school ranked 'terrible' or something by Ofsted, but despite (or perhaps because of) this, they are imaginative and inquiring and know there's more to life than white picket fences. If you've always fancied embracing the limited horizons of middle England, go for it. Otherwise...stay in London. You sound like you like it there.

[EmpressOfTheSevenFlames]

Well, I'm currently strolling down Albemarle Rd singing ' MNers - We Kick Arse' so if you see me, stop and say hello!

[mamaonion]

Indigirl I think your missing the point a bit OP said she can't afford area she currently lives on and many people sacrifice exciting London for dull suburbia because they fancy a garden and room for a dining table.

My kids aren't white and my sons school is very diverse- but then we live close to Penge so maybe some schools less diverse. Anyway think your comments little bit sweeping.

[Iggly]

I love Beckenham. I go to most parks and a) havent heard these conversations about schools and b) I'm not white and it doesn't feel "entirely white".

We moved from tooting and it's a nice change. My lottery house would be near new Beckenham

[Secondsop]

I live towards the Penge end of Beckenham, near Birkbeck station, and it works very well for us. It's cheaper there than in beckenham proper -
we got a big 4-bed semi with big kitchen and off street parking for about the same price as our flat nearer central London. I'd love to be nearer Beckenham itself as, as others have said, there are lots of amenities without it feeling like a massive shopping centre (and you can go to Bromley or Croydon if you want big shopping centres, plus not far to the Purley Way for ikea etc). For transport, beckenham
Junction has plenty of trains plus the tram, and areas between Clock House and Kent House are handy for 2 train lines. For primary schools, Balgowan is considered to be the best but you do need to be virtually on top of it to get a place. Marian Vian is also meant to be good, and Stewart
Fleming (near me) has changed from special measures to "good" in a few years. As others have said, there are a number of lovely parks and open spaces, including Crystal Palace park which is within easy reach of Beckenham.

[EmpressOfTheGoldFlames]

That's where I used to be, Secondsop. Do you ever go to the country park by the crematorium? Spent whole summers messing around there

[Secondsop]

Empress I haven't been there much but my husband goes running there most days. I do see / hear the geese from the wetlands bit flying over my house though!

[EmpressOfTheGoldFlames]

Yes I remember!

It's lovely Secondsop, or it used to be. Wild and quiet.

[shura]

I am new to Bromley and I am considering following three schools for primary education of my DS:

1. Clarehouse
2. Highfield
3. Valley Primary School

I am not sure about positive and negative points of these schools so would highly appreciate if someone can throw their views on what is positive and negative about these schools.
Appreciate your help and time.

[allyfe]

Shura, I have a friend with a daughter at Highfield and her daughter loves it, and she loves it. Their communication with parents is excellent. I know someone else who did a teacher training placement there, and she said it was much like Balgowan (in Beckenham), but did say that their communication with/inclusion of parents was outstanding. Don't have any direct or indirect experience of Clare House or Valley. Good luck with your search.