Tonbridge residents I need you

[SkyBlueSky]

The family and I (dd 18 months) are planning to beat a retreat from our beloved east London shoe box this summer and move to Tonbridge. Can any Tonbridge residents give us any insight into schools and areas? We've been told we need to get as near as dammit to our preferred primaries as competition is fierce. I have also been warned against moving too near to St. Stephens, Cage Green Primary, the Longmead area and around Lavender Hill. Is that fair advice? Our budget is around 270k and we need 3 beds. I always take these reputations with a pinch of salt as I have lived in a supposedly rough area of London very happily for six years, so hope I haven't offended anyone with this! Any help would be so useful as we plan this massive leap into the unknown.

Bumping myself. Is that even possible?

Hi

You may do better on the Kent Local MN page. I can't advise on schools in Tonbridge as we are in TWells and I just don't know Tonbridge well enough to advise, sorry. But best of luck with the move - it's a great part of the world to live in!

Tunbridge wells schools have a better reputation. Do you have to be in Tonbridge? Could you be in an outlying village?

Thank you Panic, very excited about the amount of greenery around there! Bowlersarm - we do really need to be near the station, partner commutes and doesn't drive. The quick train into Ldn Bridge is a bit of a must. I have heard good things about the surrounding villages but think it might be impractical for us at the mo.

Tonbridge is a good place to live, and has a good many facilities for children. Schools aside, there is a fabulous park, castle grounds, swimming pool, many cycle routes around the country side, all the dancing/gym/judo/drama/singing/football etc a kid could need. Shops for children's stuff isn't great, but Tunbridge Wells and Bluewater aren't too far - and there is always John Lewis click-and-collect pick up from Waitrose!
You would need to think carefully about schools - I'm not going to dwell on this as it'll annoy someone somewhere - but do read recent Ofsted reports. Come down and pop into local estate agents - they'll soon fill you in on 'desirable' areas. A drive round with a map and a highlighter pen will also give you a chance to mark areas you feel comfy in and areas your gut instinct says no to...
Tonbridge has had a mixed reputation over the years but it is what you make of it. Tunbridge wells always plays the 'posh' card, and Sevenoaks on the other side is enormously expensive. If you move to Tonbridge, get involved in stuff: church, tennis, politics, fitness - whatever is your thing. People round here are nice!
The countryside around here is simply beautiful, and there are good train and road links to London, airports and seaside.
Hope that helps.

Thanks Linspins. That's good advice. I have read the Ofsted reports for primaries which is making our search tricky, as I was a bit surprised by what I read TBH. Everything we can afford seems to be in areas by schools we don't fancy. I believe you about the people, they do seem lovely on our recon trips. And the ones on here are pretty darned helpful too.

Maybe you could consider renting near the school you want until you get a place. Possibly devious... but would also give you a chance to find whereabouts you want to be. Depends how many children you have and how old they are?
Also the thing about schools is that sometimes you can make one work out for you by giving your support - to both your child and the school itself. A parent who is actively involved will be able to help their child with reading/phonics/number games etc, and create a good environment for homework and study.
The good/bad thing about Tonbridge (I think) is the way that one road will vary from the next one in housing style and price - so there is often a real mix of houses around an area. There are Victorian terraces, near 30's semi's, near more modern styles. You just need to find a house that you like!

Just a thought but have you looked at stocks green school in Hildenborough? (Have no personal recommendation of it though). Train station to london bridge plus nice residential area.

I'm trying to wrack my brains on this; I live a few miles from Tonbridge but my children have gone privately so I'm trying to think of hearsay through friends who have experience of the local state primaries. I can't think of any particular recommendations in Tonbridge itself.

A lot of the outlying village schools are considered extremely good by a lot of parents. Bidborough, for example, which is the Tonbridge side of Tunbridge Wells. Would that be too far for your DH to get to tonbridge station? (Couple of miles but on a bus route).

Although I'm not in Tonbridge itself we have many friends who do live there and agree with linspins would indeed be a great place to live.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41941625.html ?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38891854.html?

Sky welcome to Tonbridge. We complete on Friday. I'm also from East London. Dh's family are from Tonbridge so I had to rely on their advice on good areas and not so good. When I asked them about the blog in this link they all said it was a pretty accurate account of Tonbridge.

www.wickedfaerie.co.uk/blog/2008/04/27/living-in-tonbridge/

I will be commuting to London so I have a 15min bus journey to the station. I would have preferred to be within walking distance to the station but our budget could not stretch far enough to buy us what we wanted nearer to station. We are 2 miles from the station in the higham woods area of north tonbridge.

We are within 5min walk to Woodlands school which the EA made a point of mentioning no less than 4times during the viewing that it was ofsted outstanding. We don't have kids!

Good luck with your search.

Our budget was a little less than yours, just under stamp duty threshold. What type of property are you looking for? how many beds? Semi or detached? Drive or on rd parking? These were the compromises we found we had to choose from during our search.

We've recently left Tonbridge to be nearer family but it was a fab place to live as others have said (park, lake, castle, swimming pool, cycling, town centre amenities but countryside) & much cheaper than Sevenoaks or T Wells.

We lived on the north side of the town within the catchment for Woodlands school (I think v near to where notyet must be now). Local shops etc were good and less than 2 miles to the station (direct bus) if need be.

Thanks everyone - you're all brilliant. Not only have you reassured me it is the right part of the world for us but you might have found us a pad too! We are looking for a 3 bed with a garden that is really our only proviso. We are keen to try to get near to the station but we may give that one up for the right house. Thanks Notyetthere that link is very detailed, I will absorb.
You're right Linspins, I haven't always gone to the best schools, but I did okay thanks to my folks taking an interest. You're right about the streets in Tonbridge too, hard to get a feel for value for money when they vary that much. I could do with not shopping as much so that's fine too. We spotted a nice looking butchers on the high street so I can spend my money there instead. Has anyone done the outdoor pool? That looks crackers. Thanks again people. Most kind!

Ooo, yeah, the butchers is relatively new, but very good and they are so helpful. Got some great lamb there.
Outdoor pool good for rare hot days, and for kids who don't feel the cold because they are playing so hard!

Butchers is great. Independent coffee shop opposite is excellent (spend far too much time in there). Outside pool gets crowded on hot days. The playground and park leading to Haysden Country Park is fab for families. Can walk/cycle for miles.

It's just all good really

I love Tonbridge too. Went to school there (Grammar). My dc went to Academy . Outdoor pool is fab! I live 10 miles away but often visit Tonbridge (and there is a Lidl!)

Hi, I'm in Tonbridge - with regard to Primary, Woodlands is very good, but my dd goes to St Margarets Catholic. Might just out myself here! She did go to preschool in Woodlands school grounds, where my ds will also be going, as it is also very good. Very hard to get into but lovely school.

Longmead, well, I certainly wouldn't, it's quite "rough" but obviously some like it! (sorry if i sound a bit up myself, i'm not!) St stephens doesn't have the best reputation, but it isn't as bad as some think. They don't push brighter children too much, i think. Slade, not bad, Cage Green, not so sure but has good SN.
Area wise, if you choose a school in the south, live the south side of the high street, also in the north, as traffic can be pretty bad at peak times. I live north. Lots for kids to do and toddler groups, but most in town so a little further if you live north. Not far, though.
I wouldn't live near Longmead, but Lavender Hill is ok.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks everyone. That's definitely food for thought. Maybe it has even been warm enough for the outdoor pool today?! Thanks Pendipidy, I hadn't thought about the Catholic school. Will look it up, Mother-in-law would be well happy if DD went there.

My children are both at Cage Green and I am very involved with the school - and I couldn't recommend it more highly. It is currently in Special Measures, but the Ofsted report doesn't tell the whole story as the main issue was with the last headteacher. New Heads are amazing and with the support the school has it is likely to be officially ofsted good or outstanding within a year (latest HMI letter states that the right progress is being made to achieve that). Many schools rely on previous reputations and with every school in Tonbridge there are parents who think it is the best school ever and those who wouldn't touch it with a barge pole! (I even know parents at Woodlands who claim there is a bullying problem and wouldn't recommend it and Woodlands probably has one of the best "reputations" in Tonbridge) So much depends on the leadership. I would recommend that you read Ofsted reports then put them in the bin and visit the schools yourself. You will know when you have met a headteacher who knows what they are doing and are passionate about their school (that is the key) and also you should get a good vibe about the place when you are visiting. Good luck !

Agree with Cheerymum76, visit the school and area, check ofsted reports but do not take them too seriously. Along with Woodlands and St Margarets in North tonbridge, there are Stocks Green and Hildenborough CoE in Hildenborough which are good schools as well. Hildenborough also has Hilden Grange, Hilden Oaks and Fosse bank which are very good private schools.

Hey everyone

Just bumping this thread. Thinking of moving to Tonbridge from SE London - does all this info still hold true? We went there last weekend, and really liked it. Just torn between the south for period properties, and the north which seems to have more space. Should we focus our search around the schools? Also what are the no go areas? South tonbridge has nice period properties, but they seem on top of each other. Also the road outside the station isn't so nice. Pendipidy - you have great insight. Where in the north are ya?

Cheers

We have just bought a house in South Tonbridge. My daughter goes to a local Grammar school, and my son is in Year 6 at a primary school in Sevenoaks (where we have been renting).

I can't comment on primary schools, but in terms of secondary, I would rate Weald (Grammar) and Hillview for Girls. We are considering The Hayesbrook Academy for my son (excellent school for his current needs).

We chose Tonbridge to buy because of the secondary schools and the affordability of housing. It has a lot to offer if you are open; we have met friends via street parties, joining school PTAs and community groups.

Watching with interest!
We have put in an offer on a property in south tonbridge.
Mixed feelings about the move yet but hoping will learn to love the area once we move
We are moving as our daughter will be starting sec school in Sep so hoping we can get involved in the community via the school and kids

Cheers for the info Mrsdoubleskulls - very useful.

We don't have kids, but plan to soon so would need a primary in say 5+ years. Hence should we base our location around primaries? Or is that a huge gamble? (spaces etc.) Also we are both catholic so would St Margaret be our 'best' choice? This means we should be placed in the North? I am aware of Longmead, this might sound snobby but I don't want to be near an estate! We walked around as far as The Ridgeway.

We're looking for 3 bed house with garden, 500k budget. We will be commuting to London. South Tonbridge looks good for schools and period properties, but the walk to and from the station is a bit uninspiring, and there is quite a bit of traffic. How do you find the South? I like Sussex Road, and heard good things about St Marys. Not keen to have houses on top of each other though.

Can you recommend nice roads in South Tonbridge? How is the traffic / noise / pollution from the bypass?

Cheers