Forest Hill/SE London help!

[DelleLdn]

Please help me oh wise women! We’ve seen what looks to be a great house in Queenswood Road, SE23, a few minutes from Mayow park, but we really don’t know the area as we’re moving from the other side of the river. Does anybody know this road/area? DD is only 3 and DS is 1 (would it be Adamsrill for primary, is that good?) but aware everyone on MN says to think about secondaries too if moving at this stage – is this bit of SE London/Forest Hill a secondary school blackspot? Forest Hill Boys currently requires improvement and know that’ll probably change in ten years, but am I right in thinking in this part of SE London there’s a real lack of choice/alternatives i.e. regardless of it you want it you’ll get given it anyway for a teenage boy in that area? Do kids have any chance of getting into secondaries 1.5 miles away in Sydenham/Brockley? We’re eligible for faith schools but doesn’t even appear to be any Catholic schools within the vicinity! Private not likely to be affordable once we sink all our pennies into a house/DH ideologically opposed to (though I hear there's bursaries for some? Maybe that would swing him ;-)
Like everybody else we’re struggling to find a house in zone 3 with four beds, a big garden (50ft - I know, ridiculous and scuppers loads of options), good schools, transport etc. Budget is max £1million which seems enormous but of course really isn’t in London…family in both Dulwich and Brockley hence looking at Forest Hill way but we’re veeeery clueless. Is it impossible unless we go further out to zone 4 and beyond (which we’re not up for)? Any advice on specific streets in SE london to look at would be most gratefully received! :-)

Local knowledge is key... I can think of various roads in Blackheath/Greenwich/Eltham with big gardens and in budget but not as familiar with the areas you mention. Are there any 1930s houses there? They tend to be a good bet for big gardens even in London

Just mark placing I be back in a min with info

If you have a boy you’re right it’s likely you’ll get Forest Hill Boys and also ten years is a long time.

We’re using a Dulwich school but I also know some really nice boys going from FH primary.

I think the area is great and see recent change in who is moving here (professions mostly) but secondary school would be the one issue to consider

Primary I don’t know about that specific one

www.bonuspastor.co.uk/

This is a Catholic school. I can't remember if the ofstead it's either good or excellent I forgot which. You can get a bus from Sydenham heigh Street to the big sainsburys takes no more than 10 mins and then a bus 181 from sainsburys which is about about 20 min bus ride . And then will be a 5 min walk from the bus stop to the school. You can probably apply for all the schools in the Brougher probably outside as well but there's no much chance of getting in.

Lewisham borough do not have great secondary schools most of them do not have good ofstead. My child went to a school that at the time was either needs improvement or inadequate I forget which. It was not a school I choose and I actually cried when he was given that school. But he's done ok and he's now waiting on his A levels and DD is about to start year 7.

I think it would be silly to discount (or actively select) any area based on schools you won’t be needing for another decade, tbh. Catchment areas change on a yearly basis, and a school which isn’t so good now could be in demand in a few years’ time (and vice versa.)

We moved to FH last year and it’s a great little place. It doesn’t have the insipid Nappy Valley feel that East Dulwich has picked up and it’s a bit more “London” than Beckenham, which just feels very ‘burby. No DC and none planned so didn’t care about schools, but even over the past year things have opened up in the town centre which suggest the area is still on the rise, which will inevitably impact on the people attracted to move here over the next ten years, and therefore the schools - because school performance is, after all, mostly driven by its attendees and their parents.

I agree it’s a good time to move

Still within budget unlike ED and on the up.

We did this with Camberwell before seems how we get the place and then it gets nicer

Oh I did not read properly did not realise the children were still very small.

Sorry I don't know the primary schools in that area. Only of the secondary schools in the borough. Saying that downderry primary school is fantastic. The ofstead is outstanding . They have their own pool as well. But its in downham which is catford /Bromley boarders. So I'm not sure if you would be in the catchment area.

Adamsrill is a great school. Kids from that area also go to Sedge Hill secondary, it sounds like you're after a boys school but there is also Sydenham Girls (not to be confused with Sydenham High, the private school.)

I’m about 4 minutes’ walk from that house/road, OP – lovely road and Mayow Park is glorious, plus it’s a hop and a skip to the Horniman, Crystal Palace dinosaurs, Beckenham Place Park, Sydenham Hill Woods etc for a bit of variety.

There are some rough old spots around the neighbourhood but aren’t there everywhere in London, just as it’s cheek by jowl with posh bits.

No idea on schools as DD too small, but can recommend a nursery. Adamsrill primary is popular and on a nice road, close to the park.

I lived very nearby for about 8 years, close to the park. Queenswood Road should be a perfectly nice place to live. Dacres Road on the opposite side of Mayow road has some slightly 'rougher' bits, but most of 'upper Sydenham' is lovely really.
-Mayow Park is excellent, and the park cafe & community garden are a highlight.
-Lovely, very practical high street (Sydenham Rd) with lots of affordable independent shops, including good butcher and wholefood shop
-Sydenham Gardens is a good project on your doorstep (therapeutic horticulture and they run open days etc which are nice)
-You're also close to Aldi and Sainsburys.
-Really close to Forest Hill, Crystal Palace, Beckenham, which have some nice cafes and restaurants
-Sydenham has a relaxed, friendly vibe, very liveable without being pretentious.

I've lived in a few different places in London and Sydenham has been one of my favourites. I wouldn't have stayed for so long otherwise!
Good luck.

On that budget you could look at the good roads in Streatham Hill (so called ABCD roads, including Wavertree) and bits of West Norwood to be in catchment a choice of great primaries (Streatham Wells, Hitherfield, Dunraven or Julian’s) and Dunraven for secondary. Or Bishop Thomas Grant catholic secondary.

Good transport links from Streatham Hill or Tulse Hill stations, quick bus to Brixton for tube, great parks, walkable to Dulwich. Great access to cinemas, ice rink, good parks.

It might be worth considering Brockley/Ladywell, specifically the area around Hilly Fields too. It's SE4 but pick your location well and your DD would be able to access Prendergast School in time and your DS Forest Hill. I have a number of friends with boys there who are very happy with the school and believe the Ofsted grading has less to do with teaching or learning and more to do with finances surrounding the new build some years ago now. There are other, mixed, secondary schools locally as well as independent schools such as St Dunstan and all the local primary schools are good.

A house like this might suit?

I’m afraid I can’t advise on schools but we live in the area and absolutely love it. I thought when we moved here we’d be back and forth to London all the time (having come from zone 1) but honestly there are so many brilliant pubs, restaurants and things to do in the area.
When I do go into the city to meet friends or work a couple of days a week it’s very easy and there’s always regular trains. You might also like to look more towards Hilly Fields/Brockley where there’s also lots going on.

We live in FH. Pretty much all the FH primary schools are excellent (I'm a governor at one of them), and if you didn't fancy Adamsrill (which I think is more than fine) then there is much less pressure on places than there used to be so you may find you can take your pick. There are catholic primaries too (SWOY and Cabrini, of which SWOY was the more popular last time I had any skin in the game).

Secondaries, Bonus Pastor popular for boys, though plenty of catholic girls at Sydenham Girls (the state one) which is a popular choice, and where my girls are. Some friends of mine very happy with FH Boys. It has had a rocky ride but ten years is a long time. Prendergast (mentioned above) is a tiny girls school too far out from most of FH, so you'd have to move where SE13Mummy says to have a chance at it (or be musical - though oddly my musical daughter hated it and refused to audition, so I guess it's horses for courses). Kingsdale a popular lottery school for local parents (and huge), and the Norwood School is another that many people like. There are also a couple of Harris Federation schools that friends of mine are very happy with - so more choice than there looks to be at first.

We love living here... good luck with your choice.

Cor you lot are amazing! thanks so much for all the replies. @Generalpost no idea how I missed that Catholic school and @minisnowballs thanks for such a comprehensive rundown of the schools that is brilliant, as you say sounds like there's more options than I realised. @burritofan I may trouble you for the nursery recommendation at a later date. thank you wonder women, that has all been SO helpful - I can't get over how stressful it feels trying to do a house move now there's two kids to think about, the pressure to make the right decision feels immense! Right just need my husband to come home now so I update him that me and mumsnet have decided the family's future

Have friends who live on that road, they seem to like it and get on with their neighbours. Seems like a good street and close to Mayow Park which is a great park.