Teddington or Hinchley Wood?

[MrsAD]

I am currently in the process of separating from my DH. Our flat in north London has just sold within days and I need to find somewhere to buy. 2 kids aged 9 and 6, both with HFA, very academic and coping well in mainstream school. Budget of £1mil

On one hand I personally love teddington and if it were just me I would move there as it has so much more going on (well, if it were just me I'd stay in London but it isn't!)

However I know HW school is great, particularly for those with SEN and we would get in as my son has EHCP.

Both areas seem to be so hot, as soon as something decent comes on the market, it goes. I guess I could look at both simultaneously but does anyone have a view on which would suit us best? I like the idea of teddington but less sure of the schools and it's super expensive. HW seems cheaper (just!) and it would be good for my kids to be closer to their school but I'm worried about being lonely there in such a small commuter village with not much going on.....

HW is so close to Surbiton, I wouldn't worry too much about it being a small village as you can be in Surbiton/Kingston in just a few minutes.

Do check Hinchley Wood admissions carefully. I know you mention EHCP but the admission competition is insane.

Personally I’d choose where you actually want to live. School is only so important.

Do you have friends or family anywhere in particular?

Thanks both. I grew up in Thames Ditton but don't particularly want to go back. I think I would be happier in Teddington. After living in central London for so long I think HW would just be too quiet. Even though Kingston is close by, I like having things in walking distance

I think I could still get them into HW as EHCP trumps distance in terms of admissions criteria and the school has a separate admissions process for the cullum centre located on site. I am very fortunate in that I have permanent WFH so could drive them there if I needed to

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Really helpful

You're not considering driving them from T to HW surely? Traffic would be an utter nightmare!

Are you fixed on HW for secondary?

If so would you look north of HW towards Surbiton?

I was thinking I could do the drive, yes 😬. But I see what you mean about the traffic. Also I think how it might be hard for them if all their classmates live within a few roads of the school and they live further away....

I am not totally set on the school but the fact it's academic, mixed and state and good for kids with ASD means it ticks a lot of boxes for them both.

I guess I already feel like I'm being selfish separating from their dad so I wanted to at least give them a good secondary school environment.....

Oh and I hate surbiton, Just feels so soulless, horrible high street and over priced but I guess everywhere is right now....

Bridge traffic would be awful....

Claygate? Too small I guess.... look for other schools - how does grey court fare - walk over the lock? Richmond - or too much £££?

Grey court is a great school and walking distance from Teddington.

Thanks 3WildOnes. Do you know if it has a good reputation for SEN?

Yes Grey Court as an excellent school and actually a really good option if you can get them in.

If you prefer Teddington location then I would look at Orleans Park (and Grey court or Kingston academy). Or Waldegrave if you have girls. That’s on the basis that EHCP gets you past distance criteria.

You mention your DC are highly academic- would you consider Tiffin?

I know both areas well. Yes HW is further out but that’s not always a bad thing - gateway to green spaces, nr Hampton Court (and the parade of cafes / shops towards East Moseley are gorgeous and villagely), Thames Ditton has a village vibe and HW is on great bus route back to Kingston with good train links.

I think HW is a fair bit cheaper than Teddington. You could get a detached house with your budget - that’s not happening in Teddington. Less trafficky too - the partial road closure of Bushy Pk has put more pressure on surrounding areas.

Both areas are lovely but I think HW is better value and with a great school too. With children, that’s two important considerations.

Good luck!

Sorry, just saw you have a DS so waldegrave is out.

I think you’d find that if you were in HW, you wouldn’t using Surbiton too much so don’t worry about that. You’d probably lean towards going out towards Esher. But that might count against you coming to the area if you still want a London fix. The alternative is to lean in to it and embrace the extra space it could give.

Prefer to live in Teddington, but Hinchley Wood School better. They are currently building a cycle lane over Hampton Court Bridge so traffic is a complete nightmare around there though!

Grey Court is a good shout. Maybe even consider moving to Ham? Although Teddington is nicer and the journey is across the lock.

OP, you may have decided by now but I have an 8yo with HFA and I've been madly plugging into every possible point of advice (his school, specialist TAs, governors of local secondaries, parents of other kids with HFA, neighbours with NT/ND kids etc etc) and think Turing House in Teddington looks like a really interesting option. A kind Mumsnetter with a son with HFA gave me her experience of Turing House by DM and was very keen.

Turing House has now relocated from Teddington to its new build site in Whitton, but still has its main admissions point in the Fulwell/Teddington area.

I know it’s a very old thread but how are you OP? What school did you go for in the end and is it the right fit?