Looking for a village or town in catchment area for good primary and secondary schools...

[1000cals]

We've got four children and live in a 3 bedroom flat in London. The time has finally come for us to admit that we can't afford to live in London any more. Where's a good village or town to move to that's in the catchment area for good primary and secondary schools?

Any advice would be heartily appreciated.

souffle, elmbridge or guildford borough council areas would meet your criteria. Check Surrey cc website for lists of schools - many good or excellent in those boroughs.

Stoke on Trent is only an hour's commute from London

[evil ]

onesouffle, have you thought about sutton or wallington?

Oh thanks for the replies!

I use to often drive through Wallington and always thought it looked nice

Will look at schools there now, titchy thanks.

I am going slightly mad as it is most likely we'll need to relocate next year although don't know where yet! Dh has applied to st georges and swansea to study graduate medicine has interviews with them in Jan, we know he stands a better than average chance of getting in so it is probable but also my ds1 is due to start reception next year also...!

Can feel a migraine coming on and sorry this isn't even my thread!

Sorry, just nosily marking my place as we're looking at a move to SE outside London too, so interesting to see what's recommended.

I could add to the list Carshalton and Banstead. There are some schools, but you have to watch catchments carefully as they do change each year. Knowing you would have got in last year is no consolation when you end up with none.

stringbean, my belated thanks to your response. Will take everything into account when thinking of relocation...
HerHonesty, what a harsh comment on Chandlers Ford.. could you suggest something better in South East not far from the seaside? My criterias are good schools (of course) and IKEA (haha).

Unfashionable but The Hemel Hempstead School - 'Our most recent accolade is to be named in the top thirty schools nationally because of our exceptional GCSE results and the value we add between Key stage 2 and 4 for all our students.'

To get in you need to live in the Boxmoor or Apsley areas of the town, both of which have good primary schools. (Boxmoor, Southhill, Two Waters)

Ha ha re: IKEA - but it's down at the end of the M1 so about 20/25 mins at off peak times

Btw what I particularly liked about Chandlers Ford - I found some houses on Rightmove that are not of typical (victorian style) layout but have a hallway in a centre, then living room to the left and dining room to the right or in opposite... I love this layout and have not seen it anywhere else. Again, these houses maybe in not the best location, but so little I know...
p.s. I am talking about 3 bedroom semis here..

Copthorne Village, West Sussex has an amazing village school and in catchment area for really good secondary school.Plus loads of cheap childrens clubs and activities and reasonable property prices compared to a lot of the southeast (4 bedroom detached house under 400k).

bump.... stringbean can I pm you re Chandler's Ford... as a "middle class" would like to ask more about good/bad areas there... Or if you don't mind answering here, how about the area between Winchester Road and M3? Houses seem to be cheaper that side but schools seem to be better (according to Ofsted). Is it too close too M3 though?

Portsmouth is in south east near beach there are various schools especially if you went for Albert road area of Southsea. Your children would find a mix of cultures and may not be too much of a culture shock from London has regular direct links by train or coach to London

onesouffle have you thought about the north hampshire area. very good schools, not as twee/expensive as some surrey areas. but 30/40 mins from st georges? during rush hour or shifts? as you know it can take you 30-40 mins just to get from wimbledon to st georges on a bad day!

seaside wise, chichester way? brighton, lewes, hove? depends on your commuting requirements.