Would you move for the secondary schools?

[Mamameela]

Family with v. young DC, live in an area in London with lots of antisocial behaviour. Looking to move before DC start primary school. Would you move to an area which ticks all the boxes (green space, transport, lovely family friendly amenities, primary schools) but which only has mediocre / poor secondary schools?

Or would you search out an area with good secondaries so that if you settle into the area you don't feel forced to move by Year 5?

It seems strange looking for good secondaries when DC is still in nappies but I guess this is what people do? It's called adulting?

Im afraid I was in the library checking local secondaries when ds was 6 weeks old (I'd moved when pregnant to be with my then bf, afterwards dh). So yes, I absolutely would have moved for secondary schools. London is a tough system as well. The catchment for a good secondary tends to be tiny and expensive.

Be careful about how you assess good schools - especially secondaries.
Outstanding schools can go a decade without inspection - so may well not be outstanding by the time your children get to year 6.
Prioritise a good primary school, reassess in year 4, thats more than 5 years away!

Definitely take the long view, and ensure you have a good secondary as well as primary. Of course things can change, but all else being equal, an outstanding school today is more likely than a not outstanding school today to be outstanding in ten years' time. Just check catchment (well, the London equivalent), as they can be tiny. Sign up for Locrating for detailed stats.

You didn't mention where in London? Muswell Hill in north London is great. Expensive though.