Schools! Trying not to cry

Playing this game with the schools is getting me DOWN.  My spouse and I are in London working with a relocation agent trying to find a house.  We are looking in Putney, Southfields, and Clapham Common.

I don't want my children at the American school;  I want my kids to experience BRITISH culture and life.  But the battle to avoid $hit schools is killing me.  The houses closest to the schools I want are trash, or next to mega council housing projects or not doable for one reason or another.  I just want to cry and punch something.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

RosAm

I don't know if this will be helpful for putting things in perspective, but do you know that in the UK living in the catchment area doesn't guarantee your child a place at that school?

There are tons of parents on this board, hopefully someone will come along soon who can give you tips on navigating the waters.

That said, have you thought of moving to a suburb of London where you might find more schools to your liking? Or finding other ways for your children to experience English culture if going to a state school isn't possible?

Have you considered Surbiton?  20 minute train ride from Waterloo and a reputation for good schools.

You could try to move to a  catchment area of a good school only to find there are no places and you get allocated to a school you don't like as much.

My sil just moved and my niece has now been waiting since the second week of December to find out where she will go.  I know this was over Christmas, but still. 

Quite a few British parents in London feel like crying because it's so difficult to get their children into good state schools.    I'm sorry, but it's really down to luck in many cases.  If you don't have good luck getting into a state school and you're not fond of the American School, maybe you could try enrolling them in a British private school if you can afford it?