School transportation from tw18 to QE boys school

[KLS98047]

Hi ,
can you please suggest any school transportation services as DS got into QE we live in TW18.
kindly help please.

That's at least 2 hours each way. More probably as it is rush hour. You would have to ask the school if there are any coaches. Otherwise it is train and tube. What will you do about all the after school activities? QEBoys are very hot on those.

What an awful commute to get to school - train, tube AND a bus. And during rush hour as well. It's two hours each way.

Didn't you take this into account when applying for a place?

Most adults would not be happy to commute four hours a day! He'd have to be up so early too. It's also not fair on more local kids that you are taking a place no matter what the official selection criteria.

Either move house or find a more local school.

He has done well to get in, but honestly I don't know what you are thinking. That commute is going to be horrendous in the winter. QE boys is a very tough school and they make no allowances for long commutes or tiredness.
They don't allow boys to go into sixth form unless they get top grades at gcse.
Can you move house? Some families do in similar circumstances.

That’s a huge commute for school. Were you planning to move house?

I agree with the above comments. If the journey in theory takes 2 hours by train, tube and bus you’d probably need to allow 2.5- 3 hours in the morning to ensure your son was on time - with each transport “link” you increase the chance of delays.

Your DS has done amazingly to get a place, but is only viable for him to attend if you move house. Otherwise you need to give up on QE, look for something nearer and get yourself on continuing interest lists ASAP.

Sorry.

That is a hell of a daily journey for anyone, let alone an 11 yo . Does either parent commute so he only dies part of it alone? What about extracurricular activities, concerts and parents evenings? Suggest you look to move asap if you are seriously thinking about it.

Have you checked the school website for coach services? I just googled and there are about 10 private coach routes. These are usually expensive, but should be better than train, tube, then bus. The coach service is no use for after school swimming/ football etc so you would have to make separate arrangements for those. You still have to pay in full for the coach even if you don't use it on some days.
It sounds as if you really haven't looked into the logistics of sending ds to a school so far away. He will be expected to participate in after school and weekend activities.

No way would I send an 11 year old on that journey on his own.

The coach routes are all focused on north/NE/NW London and Herts. The closest it looks like they get to PP is Hillingdon or Uxbridge but they’re approximately a 45 min drive from TW18 (probably more in rush hour) so wouldn’t help.

Agreed - that was my point.

I should have made it clear I was agreeing with you. I feel anxious just thinking about it.

That’s ridiculous. We moved from Staines to Hertfordshire because it was too far for DH to commute 3 days a week.

Thanks for your reply.

We are planning to move near to school.

but for short time if anyone can suggest school transport service that would be great.

OP try and get the move done before September! I wouldn't do this commute myself so I certainly wouldn't want my children doing it. There aren't likely to be any other coach services other than those on the website, I highly doubt there is a coach service going anywhere near you. My colleagues son goes there and used to take one of those private coach services from NW London, it was very expensive and a bit restrictive so in the end he switched to tube: met line to Kings Cross and then northern line back out. I think his commute time isn't much different, but much cheaper and he prefers it anyway. They live in zone 4.

Are you close to a train station? And is it Staines? If so, and you really need to do this very short term, I guess train from Staines to Waterloo and then northern line to High Barnet. He would have to learn how to navigate the northern line as there are two branches going north.

The school is about 25 minutes walk from High Barnet station. The bus takes about 15 minutes but buses are likely to be packed at that time of the morning.
OP, would you consider renting temporarily while selling/ buying? We had to do that for about 3 months when DH got a new job. We sold our house quickly to a first time buyer, moved into a flat near the job, then found a suitable home to buy once we were in the area.
I honestly can't think of a manageable route for an 11 year old from where you live.

Good luck😀

Thanks all for your replies.