Moving from Fortismere to Paddington Academy catchment area. Am I mad?

[camaleon]

I am considering this. Main reason: we are a bit tired of living in London for years without any feeling for the city. We would like a more mixed environment, and the possibility of accessing a cinema without needing public transport/car (a silly example, trying to explain what I mean) We know the neighbourhood around Fortismere, we are comfortable here, and Fortismere seems the obvious answer. We have two kids:

One in year 5 that would have to move to another primary in year 6.
Another one in year 3 who would have to move too.

Both are academically able and always performing comfortably above average, top sets, etc. My eldest one wanted to sit the Latymer exam which would not be possible if we move (catchment area). My DH and I are not too keen on selective schools though, where everybody has passed the same exam. We would prefer, in general, that the children are exposed to a broader range of skills/abilities/backgrounds. But we are not from here and we may be making a big mistake.

I don't even know if there are any good primary school around the Paddington Academy.

Any views would be really appreciated.

I really wouldn't in your shoes.. You are on the doorstep to one of the country's best proper comp and close to many other selective schools you could try for - Latymer, Dame Alice Owen (possibly), Henrietta Barnett.

I've just realised that is not what you asked - sorry!

Does it have to be Paddington Academy?

Would you consider moving down to Tufnell Park, Kentish Town, so the children can go to Acland Burghly? You would be nearer to the West End, but I'm not sure if that is what you are after.

Do you want to be in London, but very central, so Soho maybe. Or have you had enough of London, in which case, why move to Westminster?

Well, there's a cinema in Muswell Hill and East Finchley as well the art house one in Crouch End so I think you're set for those! All within walking distance. I think you should be grateful to live there and forget about Paddington which is still in many ways, the ways that count frankly (when you have young kids), a shithole.

Yes you're mad btw!

yabu

Secondary school is a potential minefield where the surrounding influences have a powerful effect. Its very difficult when you have both children in primary school to appreciate how different it is in secondary school. The major differences are you dont have any contact with the form teacher (unless there are any issues), you dont have any contact with other parents, or even go into the school ever( unless your child is involved in concerts).
You are thinking that one school is the same as another.
If your kids are quite academic, I would stay where you are!

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer.

I used to live in that area so can give you some background. PA is a good school, very diverse and with an intake that has a high level of EAL and FSM (84% and 71% eligible in last 5 years respectively) that get results above the national average. I wouldn't read too much into the EAL figures, for example, my DC might well be classed as EAL because DH is the parent at home and speaks Arabic to them - they also speak fluent English so by secondary level I think it's more an indicator of diversity of cultures.

The best local primaries are the church ones so unless you are religious you may struggle to get your DC in there. My DC are not Christian so we didn't stand a chance for YR but you might get an ad hoc place further up the school. The main community schools are very diverse with the two best close to PA probably being Essendine and Queen's Park. (We went private in the end).

We have friends with a child in QK who are considering PA for the younger one.

Rents and house prices are high in the area and I would have good look around before you decide. You can walk to Oxford Street, Bayswater has a cinema and shops and Paddington Rec is a good park with a gym and running track.

Thank you very much Chazs. I am going to see a few houses tonight, have a good walk around and probably decide to stay where we are. I am really keen in moving close to central London and a bit unimpressed by a pretty uniform social environment. If there is something London has to offer is diversity and Fortismere catchment area does not really feel like London in many ways.

But I am aware that I am an 'outsider' and the answers here are helping a lot, even if they are not what I want to hear.

By the way, we are not religious and we would not like to end up in private education. It would run against every reason we have to move.

Again, thank you everybody for the very helpful posts.

PA is part of United Learning which is one of the best academy chains (also the first to set up an academy I believe). The chain runs both academies and very good independent schools, they share good practice.
It is a very deprived catchment with real difficulties and provides incredibly well for those children. Many of those children do have very difficult lives. I don't want to say don't go there as the children are rough. I admire you for looking beyond that and realising the benefits of not isolating our children from this. Perhaps look around and see how you feel though as it is a big contrast from your current options and a big decision. I would be wary my DC would either fly or crash there and could feel an outsider or like she sticks out.
I think one of the main feeders is Wilberforce Primary which is also in United Learning and improving (but got a long way to go, I believe). I have heard Paddington Green struggles, there is also Gateway around there which is meant to be brilliant. Queens Park is meant to be good.

Have you considered King Solomon's around there too? It has incredible results although a very different approach.

YY to Acland Burghley School. Why not have a look around there? Much more diverse social environment than MH and more urban feeling, but not as deprived as Paddington. The school has about 1/3 of children on free school meals. Also has a fair few academically able kids, so yours might not feel they stick out in the way Zebra describes.

So glad I posted. Gateway, Acland and King Solomon are good option. King Solomon would resolve the problem re primary school (mainly for the second child). I am going to have a busy after-work schedule for a few days before making a final decision.
Thanks

If you are considering King Solomon avoid looking for property on or around the Lisson Green Estate. DH used to live there and I don't think it's improved from then.

I think you should NOT move. It will be a difficult move for the children when they change schools in higher years and the child, if she wants to go to Latymer school, you should stay there too.

I was thinking about this some more. I think one thing that's hard to appreciate about the area around PA is that it is a very ecomonically polarised area without so many people in the middle. There is a lot of social housing, not necessarily purpose built but "street properties" i.e. house conversions owned by housing associations. There is also a lot of stupidly expensive property to buy or rent. PA sits between Maida Vale and Warwick Ave both of which are eyewatering expensive. I never got much of a sense of families in the middle. I work in the City and DH is a North African immigrant and in some ways we perfectly represented the divide in the area. We moved to get more space rather than an issue with the area itself ( apart from the property prices )

I second what Chaz says - it wouldn't be a move to a more diverse area but a move to a school with a catchment of differing levels of poverty. It is a great school compared to local alternatives, and would no doubt cater for your DC perfectly well, but the social side may not be right. She will be miles from the polar end of the spectrum that many PA kids live in. The school is trying to give those children the best opportunities and education they can. It is a school very much modelled to putting its energy in transforming prospects of a very low-income community.
You have choice which is a huge privilege - don't deny your DD the right to find the school which is the best fit. Only you know your DD and what will suit her. What sticks out for me is she is asking to go to a very different type of school to that you are considering.
The sad fact is PA has huge funds and potential and does an outstanding job for its pupils. They battle staffing issues and low initial levels and raise the prospects for a lot of children who sadly have a lot of odds against them...but there is still a huge gap between it and other schools in terms of opportunity.
The school your DD is striving for is totally different. It isn't fair (compared to most PA pupils) your DD has access to the schools who can afford to put energy into the wider aspects of education, but it is a big point to consider.

I am not saying PA isn't good - it is outstanding and it's results are incredible. I'm just saying it has a niche job and is in an area of extreme divide. It may be perfect for your DD but really think about what she suits and wants as it isn't as straightforward as perhaps you thought initially.

Your engagement with this has been very valuable and appreciated. My husband and I spent hours yesterday around PA, Westminster Academy, then moved to Edgware Road to check King Solomon followed by the surroundings of Acland in Tufnell Park. Your comments confirm my impressions, mainly regarding PA.

I am Spanish and I could try to get the kids in the Spanish school in Portobello, but I have never been impressed by Spanish education, and again it would mean to separate them from the local environment, when I want them to have solid roots in the country where they were born and grown up.

All seems to indicate Fortismere is the best option. I am trying to find a more diverse environment but it seems that secondary state schools in London are representative of the increasing divide between the super rich and the others in the city rather than reflecting the social mix I love about this place.

The Latymer school is a minor consideration. While I have looked at the Website, read some scary staff in the 11+forum and got the CEM books to practice some paper, I have no clue about the full process and I am not sure I can provide the right tools for my child to pass the exam, even if she was bright enough.

It has been very good to write it all down, to keep an open mind and look into alternatives supported by your suggestions and views.

I think your decision is wise. The 11plus forum is full of v scary folk who've been tutoring since their kids were in utero. An alternative would be to stay put until your dd gets into Fortismere and then move down to Archway/ Tufnell Park and they can bus it straight up. Takes 15 minutes.

OK so neither of your DCs are yet in secondary school and you want somewhere more urban / mixed. You could move down to Stroud Green. Still in catchment for Latymer but also for Hornsey Girls and Highgate a Woods which may gave more the mix you want. Much more accessible than Muswell Hill and Finsbury Park station is 10 min from Oxford Circus. Or (as suggested above) Camden / Kentish Town ( catchment for Camden School for Girls).

Trouble with the catchment for CSG is that it's multi million pound houses and not socially mixed at all.

Thanks again. Checking a few more options including Highgate Woods. Single sex education is not an option either. I have a son, they don't want to go to different schools and feels wrong to try a more diverse environment by separating them from half of the world population. But I know I have my own cultural hang-ups with this.

Totaly with you on that Cameleon. I like you ;)

We have a friend with a son at HW, very pleased with it.

Thanks Gophers... you made me blush. HW area to be explored on Saturday.

what about a move to Stoke Newington - SNS has a good reputation and is very diverse
does have a uniform though which is off-putting - I would stick with Fortismere for that alone!!

Moving is expensive and is never without it's traumas. I think I would stay put and get the children to apply for weekend jobs in retail. That way you wouldn't have then trauma of a move but the children would get to know what a varied bunch we are. I'm all for making live easier, working with what you have.