Postcodes count when it comes to education. Living near a good school is significant to families and even new parents could do well to give some thought to the big question of where to live.
Entrance to London’s best state schools generally depends on living in the right catchment area, and in-demand independent schools tend to attract families to their neighbourhoods. So the pressure is on from the off – and buying a home near a good nursery is a good start, because nurseries quite often feed into primaries, which feed into secondaries… and so on. Here are five good options on the current market.
1. St John's Wood
St Mark's Nursery in Primrose Hill accepts people onto the waiting list at birth, and offers are made by this highly sought-after establishment on the basis of parental interviews. You’re not actively judged on your address, but obviously you’ll want to live nearby – and this three bedroom apartment in a luxury Art Deco mansion block is a brief, toddler-friendly walk away in Prince Albert Road, NW8. It has a spacious open plan reception/dining room plus a separate kitchen; there are three bathrooms and the block has a lift and a porter. It’s for sale with Winkworth St John’s Wood 020 7586 7001 for £1.85m.
2. South Kensington
Tadpoles Nursery has been preparing well-heeled toddlers for life since 1976, and moved to its present site in Park Walk in 1993. Places are highly coveted and the admissions policy does prioritise children who live close to the school. This two bedroom apartment in nearby Redcliffe Square SW10 could be a good option – and with a bit of redecoration it could be the family home of dreams. It’s a well-proportioned space with lots of natural light and views over the church gardens, and is available through Winkworth South Kensington 020 7373 5052 for £725,000.
3. Notting Hill
In Notting Hill, competition is tough for places at Strawberry Fields Nursery, and people have been known to register their children from the labour ward. This apartment in Arundel Gardens is for sale with Winkworth Notting Hill 020 7727 3227 and comes with access to one of the area’s loveliest communal gardens. The spacious flat has two bedrooms and stylish contemporary decor; it is priced at £1.35m.
4. Islington
Hopes and Dreams Montessori in Islington is hugely popular locally and operates in two connected Georgian terraced houses. This stylish Grade II listed house on nearby Noel Road is a highly desirable buy on one of the area’s best streets. It’s a substantial home that’s perfect for a family, with three/four bedrooms, a bright reception, large kitchen, utility room and attractive back garden. It’s on the books at Winkworth Islington 020 7354 2480 at £2.25m.
5. Southfields
Little Forest Folk runs a long waiting list for its many SW London sites. The Wimbledon one is set in a 3.5 hectare forest reserve near Wimbledon Common, which is a wonderful wild setting to encourage independent play, build confidence and let children be active. Homes in SW19 are snapped up quickly by families and this Edwardian house in Gordondale Road is likely to be no exception. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large open plan kitchen/dining room – and it’s in the catchment for the best local schools too. It’s listed with Winkworth Southfields 020 8877 1000 for £1.2m.