1
Apr
Moving for Schooling
Keats Estate Agents comment on an increasingly important factor
in the property market…Moving for Schooling
Forget about April showers, in the property market it’s
the brainy season. In homes across the nation students are gearing
up for important examinations. But further down the education time
line parents of younger children are also being put to the test.
Whether one agrees with the schools’ selection system or not,
today a postcode can have as much to do with where a child attends
primary or secondary school as their academic potential.
Whilst parents may not always be able to influence their
offspring’s ability as much as they would like, they
certainly can influence where their child is educated. Moving to a
favoured school’s catchment area can certainly increase a
child's chances of getting a place at that school. But there are
some important steps to take before making the move.
It is essential to check with the local education authority
about their criteria for placement before making any major
decisions. Then it’s best to speak to a chosen school and ask
them the same question. Once confident that the school of choice
will have availability then moving home may very well be worth
doing.
Applying in plenty of time for a place is very important so this
is the time of year that anxious parents consider a location that
promises the best education for their child. After all, selling an
existing property and buying a new one does take time.
But it is not just the primary and secondary sector that is
testing parents right now. Those with offspring going to university
also have some important homework to do. Student accommodation is
expensive and for parents who intend to purchase a flat or small
house, both for investment and accommodation purposes, now is the
time to be looking. City centre flat prices are just about as low
as they go right now and this is a great time to get into the
market.
Whatever the requirements for a child’s education the
sensible move is to talk to a good local estate agent –
perhaps one of parental age who has lived in the area for some
time. He or she will be able to give a huge amount of useful
information about neighbourhoods, security, transport, lifestyle
and, of course, housing.
In the meantime if you have particularly strong feelings about
the state schools’ selection system or about university fees,
loans and grants very soon there is an ideal opportunity to have
your say in the government’s very own examination room -
the polling station!