Moving from US to London - In Year Secondary School - Which Areas to pick?

[MovingLady]

First time poster and appreciate your inputs.

Moving with 4 kids from the US to London for SO's job in June 2025. My partner will be moving in April 2025 to rent a place so we can start applying for oldest son's (Turns 12 in Feb 2025) secondary school (year 6).

Could you please advice on which areas to stay based on following criteria:

1. Rent range - £4000-£5000 for 3/4 bedroom.
2. State secondary school that would be easiest for placement after admission process has closed.
3. 45mins to Farringdon for SO's work commute
4. Younger kids are 9,9,4 and hoping to get into a state primary school.

We have it narrowed down to the following areas: (1) Ealing/Acton, (2) North Dulwich Triangle, (3) Islington/Angel (4) Notting Hill/Maida Vale.

Should we consider other areas or are these good enough to start getting in touch with rental agents?

Also, how do state schools view someone that is moving from overseas in making exceptions?

Thanks!

Read the post. The husband has a job. The husband pays tax. Every child that has the right to reside in UK has the right to education.

Wimbledon is a very easy commute to Farringdon. I'm not sure about secondary schools but the primary schools aren't full due to falling birth rates/children going private after 7. The primaries are all fairly good, some better than other. Secondary-wise, I've heard good things about Rutlish and Wimbledon College (Catholic), but not sure about whether they'd have space.

You'd easily get a 4-5 bed close to the station for your budget.
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/details/68432707

Totally off topic but please do consider getting married before moving to the UK. I don’t know your set up at home, but moving country and becoming a ‘trailing spouse’ puts you in a very vulnerable situation, both financial and visa wise, especially with children involved.

Not a romantic reason to get married but it does give you the legal set up and protection you need.

We moved from the U.S. to Ealing last year mid year in March and my year 3 at the time did not get a space at our chosen school (where he was first in the waiting list) until September. My year 6 got one right away though.

One thing I would say is that most of the best secondary (age 11-18) schools in Ealing are religious (in the league tables position 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are all religious. Position 4 is a girls only school). If you do not want your child in a Christian/catholic school then maybe look elsewhere. They say prayers every day, read scripture, every child has to do an early gcse in religious education, they sing hymns at least once a week, compulsory worship etc. The standard of education is high but if that isn’t your thing then the options are a bit more limited. They also all have extremely long waiting lists so you would need to move basically next door to the school to be first on the waiting list then you are waiting for a child to leave so that you can have their space.

Primary schools are a bit easier in Ealing from a demographic perspective. But Twyford for example has a very very long waiting list and only admitted students who have a 5+ year attendance record at a Church of England church last year in year 7 (other denominations did not get in).

feel free to message me if you want to talk in more detail :)

Just to add! You cannot get your child on a waiting list for a school until you are paying council tax and you can prove they are in the country with a boarding pass.

Moving with 4 kids from the US to London for SO's job in June 2025. My partner will be moving in April 2025 to rent a place so we can start applying for oldest son's (Turns 12 in Feb 2025) secondary school (year 6).

Ok so I haven't read all the other posts, but I work as a Teaching Assistant so I will briefly run through the important things.

• Your oldest is YEAR 7 not year 6. He will turn 12 IN year 7, so would have started Year 7 in Sept 2024, turn 12 in Feb 2025, and start year 8 in Sept 2025.
• Given this, when he applies for school, it won't be a normal application for year 7. It will be a question of which schools have a place in Year 8. Some will be full and there may be waiting lists.
• The Fair Access Protocol may apply `- so if there are no schools with a place in Year 8 within and reasonable distance from your home, a school might be pushed by the local authority to take your son, if they could physically do so without disadvantaging existing children. This will depend on how crowded the current year 8 classes are though.

Most London boroughs publish current vacancies, I’ve attached Ealing.

Yes, depending on the visa. Don't worry the visa isn't cheap and they will also pay an 'NHS surcharge' so don't worry about them using the NHS.

Then they will be paying taxes, council tax, and spending money in the UK economy.

All children in Englad have to study religious education up to the age of 16. This is why most schools make a gcse in the subject compulsory. It’s not part of our National Curriculum but it is compulsory to teach it.

In secular comprehensive schools its taught in a very inclusive way - many schools call it Religion & Philosophy rather than Religious Education. It is about comparing and contrasting different world views on ethical issues, e.g. War & Conflict, Family Values, etc.

Hi @MovingLady i’d consider Shenfield/Brentwood areas over the Romford areas if you want to get a choice of good schools in Essex. No bad secondary schools, Grammars in catchment, choice of indie schools if you need them, plenty of excellent primary schools, lots of parks/greenery and lots of sporting facilities for all generations. The sea is about 35/40mins away as a bonus. Your SO can commute quickly to Farringdon on the Elizabeth line/L’pool st line combo and there is a 2stop option to L’pool st (under 25 mins) if you need it. You’ll get a ton of space for your rental budget as opposed to central London boroughs, safe for kids to travel independently and there are plenty of social groups to join to help you all settle in.

Good luck with the move!

I would also think about Brentwood/Shenfield. Whilst not really London the commute will be really easy on the Elizabeth Line and you will get much more for your money.

Ealing ticks your boxes, and I knew a lady who ran a FB/social group for Americans in Ealing as there were so many! (She’s now moved alas.)

What sort of place do you want to live in? London's like a series of small towns in a way and each has a different vibe. If you want a more liberal/ arty community you'd probably want to choose different areas to those where more bankers/ corporate folks live. Not that you can't be arty in those places too, but you know what I mean! Similar with schools. How do you want your kids educated? A lot have mentioned of church schools on here, but different areas have quite a range of schools. It's a bit of a mine field tbh, but if you tell us a bit more you on those fronts you might get more insight about areas where your family could feel most at home.