House Hunters Prioritise Homes in School Catchment Areas After Half of Southwark Students Miss Out on First Preference School
By: Rebecca Dwyer, Sky Communications International, on behalf of Wooster & Stock
Date of Issue: 01 May 2012
Almost half of secondary school-age children in Southwark missed out on a place at their preferred school last month.* South London estate agent, Wooster & Stock, says this is prompting many house hunters to reassess their criteria for a new home and has also forced settled families to consider moving, sometimes just a few doors away, to secure a school place for their children.
Becky Munday, Head of Sales, Wooster & Stock, comments: “The Guardian recently reported that just 55.9% of Southwark pupils received a place at their first choice school this year, which is encouraging house hunters to carefully research the areas in which they want to live, even if they do not yet have children.”
“A number of families in Southwark and Lewisham have already moved house specifically for school catchment areas. Some people move to a similar property a few streets away, while others move to smaller properties, even if they have growing families.
“Other clients have told me that they are moving out of London completely because their children did not receive a place at their preferred school. One vendor was in tears during a valuation as she felt she had no choice but to sell because of schooling.”
A representative of Southwark Council said: “School catchment zone sizes vary greatly, but in some cases primary school zones only cover residents within 200 to 300 metres of the school gates.
“Southwark Council has experienced a phenomenal increase in demand for places and while this growth is forecast to continue, we will require an increase to the number of reception places provided in Southwark's primary schools.”**
Wooster & Stock is currently offering a number of family homes near to some of the best schools, including Myatt Garden primary, and the outstanding OFSTED-rated Charter School.
A beautifully presented, double fronted detached house in Rokeby Rd, SE4, is located just metres from the highly regarded Myatt Garden primary school. The three-to-four bedroom property features tasteful period décor, sash windows, rustic timber floors, a stylish open plan kitchen and dining area, with French doors that lead to a decked patio and a garden with its own original Andersen shelter. It is currently on the market for £695,000.
In SW9, a four bedroom Victorian terrace house with large garden is available close to popular St John the Evangelist primary school near Myatt’s Fields South. Spread over three spacious floors, this period delight is within easy walking distance of vibrant Camberwell and its restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques and art galleries. Transport links are also a plus, with Brixton and Stockwell and Oval tube stations (on the Victoria and Northern lines respectively), offering a commute to central London of around 15 minutes.***It is currently on the market for £635,000.
For more information on these and other properties available near good schools in South London, please contact Wooster & Stock via www.woosterstock.co.uk or call:
Camberwell 020 7708 6700 | Brixton 020 7952 0590 | Sydenham 020 8613 0060
Sources:
* Jessica Shepherd, The Guardian, March 22, 2012:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/mar/22/secondary-school-admission-first-choice
** http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200289/primary_school_admissions
Press Contact:
Becca Dwyer or Julia Arnold
Sky Communications International
44 (0)1273 355 111
44 (0)7747 578 617
rebecca.dwyer@skycommunications.co.uk
julia.arnold@skycommunications.co.uk
Sky Communications International
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