Hampton versus Bromley

[Debbles75]

Anyone live in Hampton or Bromley? I'm planning to move back to london after moving to the midlands last year. I'm a single mum, mixed race with two boys aged 11 and 7. My 11 year old is autistic and gets overwhelmed by noise and busy areas, while my 7 yr old and I love the buzz and energy of London. I"m focusing on Bromley and Hampton as they feel like quieter, greener and safer areas that are within easy reach of london. Budget is tight - i can afford £650k max for a 3 bed house. My preference would be for Hampton but haven't seen many properties coming up within my budget. I've concentrated my search within a mile of Hampton station. Are there any other areas that i should check out? Would like a community with a bit of diversity. thanks in advance :)

I live in Hayes. It's a nice safe area with good schools and loads of green spaces nearby. Great links into London from either Bromley South into Victoria or from Hayes into Charing Cross. I was born and raised in Hackney, and if I could have afforded to buy there when I was looking 20+ years ago, I definitely would have. Now I quite like life in the suburbs, and if I want to, I can be back in East London in next to no time thanks to the London Overground.

Check the dept of education tables for local schools, people often wax lyrical about good schools and doesn't marry up with results.

Yeah, not all school are equal - from the areas mentioned you’d want Langley or Hayes, not so much the Harris schools. Your younger child would be primary so you would have quite a big choice - all pretty good

With children the ages of yours you have to weigh up whether suburbia, safe streets & a good choice of schools outweighs living somewhere more interesting.
We live here because we felt it was a good place for DD to grow up & go to school. Once she’s finished school we will probably look at moving further back in to London (I grew up near Tower Bridge so it does seem suburban to me) That’s not to say it’s an awful place to live, far from it.

@Ohwhere2021

Bromley-By-Bow?

No they are not talking about Bromley-by-bow. They are talking about the large London borough of Bromley in SE London.

If you have a child with SEND & Autism then he'll be better provided for in Bromley than other boroughs. Check the Bromley Borough SEND Education website for information.

SEN provision isn't standard amongst boroughs and some are better than others. There are a few specialist schools which would provide more help if main stream isn't appropriate. I'd join a few SEND Bromley Facebook groups & contact the local SEND parent carer groups and ask parents as well.

Hi @Debbles75 I don't know Bromley at all but know Hampton well. I can only say it's very safe but your budget won't get you a 3 bed house in the catchment for Turing House and your alternative at secondary is Hampton Academy which is a very large and noisy school which I would suggest wouldn't be great for your 7 year old in a few years.

I know it's even further out but have you considered Shepperton? Thamesmead is a great school and they have good SEN provision (I have friends with kids there so only indirect experience).

this one is lovely and in budget

oh wow! thanks @SollaSollew. I don't know Shepperton at all but that's another that i'll add to my research list :)

thanks all. I love how supportive everyone is on this hive. I've had so much useful information about alternative neighbourhoods and school considerations. Its definitely given me lots to work with

@Debbles75

thanks everyone. you've given me lots of food for thought, especially re: schools. *@nancy75* i know beggars can't be choosers but had hoped there might be some interesting parts of Bromley to discover. i'd lived in Hackney for 17 years prior to my move to the midlands and although, admittedly, Hackney has a high crime rate, it is/was such a great place to live. Vibrant and creative with tonnes to do for all ages. I've found it really difficult adjusting to suburban life in the midlands. So would really like something in between suburban sleepiness and inner city edginess.

Have a look at Penge. It's in the borough of Bromley but is close to the boarder with Lewisham. Might be more your type of place

The only problem with Penge is schools - aren’t they pretty much all Harris?

@nancy75

The only problem with Penge is schools - aren’t they pretty much all Harris?

There are 2 Harris primaries and several other non Harris ones. All schools very good really.

Secondary isn't as great its true. The new school is going to be a Harris as well.

Tbf Harris isn't necessarily bad in itself. It's just annoying that basically all the good options are a Harris so you feel that parent choice is limited.

@Twizbe aren't Harris schools ofsted rated Outstanding? My ex called a couple in south london, to discuss SEN provision and was impressed with how quickly they called back and how willing they were to discuss our sons needs. admittedly, i don't know anyone with experience of sending kids there.

I know 3 people who teach in Harris schools, all have made sure their kids don’t go to a Harris school. I think they are good at ticking ofsted boxes.

The schools have a very high turnover of staff, they are generally the schools that were failing in the area, they are renamed & appear to have gone amazing turnarounds. From teachers I know who works for them & kids who have attended it’s not quite as great as ofsted would have you think.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/harris-academy-chain-accused-of-cheating-ofsted-inspections-at-multiple-schools_uk_5bf410bde4b01909c809871f/

Yes, they are good schools.

I've heard they aren't great for the staff but that's all hearsay.

I think the main issue is that so many of the schools are Harris. It feels like you almost have to choose those schools.

Hampton is pretty sleepy!
Bromley sounds ideal for you. Would echo West Wickham, Beckenham or around Bromley itself.

[quote Debbles75]@Twizbe aren't Harris schools ofsted rated Outstanding? My ex called a couple in south london, to discuss SEN provision and was impressed with how quickly they called back and how willing they were to discuss our sons needs. admittedly, i don't know anyone with experience of sending kids there.[/quote]
Harris generally get impressive ratings but they have been cheating the system a bit by excluding kids they think are going to fail exams to boost their results average. There's also a lot of annoyance about Harris not just taking over failing schools but also ones that are doing very well without them. As Harris is a Tory peer and huge donor to that party, it feels like the Government is rewarding one of their own.