11 Plus Exams Forum

Daughter will be starting at Nonsuch in Sept and we need to relocate for that. Feel we have a decent budget so can choose where to move.

The key criteria's being easy to reach Nonsuch for daughter (bit of an obvious one), good transport links as both me and mrs work in London and somewhere with good primary school as we have a 5 yr old (who unfortunately will need to take his chances with in-year admission for Year 1).

Based on some googling - the areas we are considering are Cheam, Worcester Park, Carshalton & Carlshalton Beeches. Any views on the merits/demerits of these areas.

Any other recommendations / views also very welcome.

Some quick ones

Cheam (look around Avenue Primary)
Sutton (around Barrow Hedges Primary)

Good primary schools would have significant wait list in Sutton and nearby areas, so you would need to be as close to school as possible.

Cheam and Sutton are best for the commute.
Cheam houses are probably more expensive.
Primary schools are more of an issue. There was a shortge of places affecting the current Year 1's and whilst most of them will be settled now, it is possible there are still long waiting lists at the very good schools. Cuddington Croft is another popular one but is in the more expensive bit of Cheam.
You might also want to be careful if you are planning a long term home because catchment for the popular comps is very small. Although the grammars may be an option, the year groups for the younger children are so huge that competition will only increase. Some areas of Sutton and Cheam are not in catchment for the best High Schools. South Cheam for example would be far too far away to get into Cheam High should you ever need to but equally you probably wouldn't get into any Epsom schools from there either.

tiffinboys and loopylou many thanks for your inputs!

Once we move in the area and apply for a primary school place it looks like we will have to get on waiting list and hope for the best.

Does anyone know if there is usually movement in waiting lists, so that there is a realistic chance of a place in the future?