We did it last year - for me the deciding factor was the choice between my daughter being educated in a year-group of nearly 100 in London, to being in a class of 22 in Surrey - in a school where each individual's needs are met - and where the head teacher knows and cares about every child's individual circumstances - something which I simply don't agree can happen when a teacher is trying to deal with 30+ children.

I was educated at a London Comp & would nevere ever consider moving my children back there. I had a fantastically happy childhood but, for me there is simply no comparison.
Friends that still live there battle to get their kids in to the only "good" school in the area, huge classes, high turnover of teacher who never really know the kids.

Here we have a selection of good primaries & we choose which one to send them to, only 19 kids in the class, no postcode lottery, less than 100 in the school. Fantastic support for my kids who are at either end of the ability spectrum.

I just cannot blame anyone who is able to make the move for wanting to do it.

I know lots of people who have done this but am not going to do it myself. (I actually feel slightly contemptuous of people who do) but this stems from having amongst my very dearest and closest friends at least 4 people who were educated in comprehensive schools in London in with no ill effects whatsoever. They are all wonderful and just a bit cooler than me, being London born and bred. And they are all staying in London and sending their dc to state schools. But, sorry, I ramble and you aren't interested in hearing from the likes of me.

LOL MI (is that you, SpM?) you're not doing a good job at keeping the London Escapees at bay!

yes but grammar school wise BLu there are 3 for every 1 place here not like the scrum in London.
they walk there wihtout being mugged... etc etc

can we talk about the people who move to US out of london then bleat on about it all the time and how irritating they are.

Is it actually true that schools are better or more desirable outside London?

My DS's school, in a much maligned inner-city area of S London is miles better than his cousin's CoE school in a semi-rural area. Our local secondary school (foundation non-selective) is miles better than their local comp. There are loads of good schools in London!

I moved out of London to Hertfordshire when my daughter was born; perversely, education was one of the reasons I moved back 7 months later...

not sure I want to be 'outed' Jessica [in terms of revealing RL identity on MN not because I'm ashamed of moving out of London ]
Can answer questions here maybe?

Hello Pofacedandproud!
Please could I give you a call? Or if you prefer, you could call me 0203 353 2302.
Many thanks!
Jessica