Hi there, I'm looking to move from
NW London to SW (around Richmond/ Twickenham/ Teddington) to hopefully get my son in to a good state school. He's in Year 5 currently and ideally I want him to finish at his current school as he absolutely adores it. Plus houses in my area are not selling easily right now. So we would have to move the summer before he starts and hope we can find somewhere close to one of the good schools and apply then.
I'm aware of how competitive all the schools are and that it's worth looking beyond just the Ofsted rating. But I'd love advice on any particular areas or roads which would potentially fall in to the catchment for more than one good school. Given that we'd be moving late, I don't know if I should risk just being close to one school, rather than having more options.
Also if there are any schools that you think tend to be overlooked but are pretty good, I'd be keen to hear. Particularly looking for schools with good pastoral care.
I also have a daughter in reception but I'm less stressed about primaries as there seem to be a lot of options. Very stressed about the whole secondary school thing - I didn't ever factor in the idea I might have to pull him out of a school he loves or risk where he gets in to in Year 7. I know it may well be worth the short term pain but feels really hard to do.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the essay : )