Living right next to a school - feedback please

harrys_dad

Because of the well documented issues (see previous posts) about problems living right next to a school, especially parking, houses in that position are usually discounted slightly. That doesn't then stop buyers who have bought at a discount complaining to the school about issues which existed already.

I would advise visiting to see the issues at the start, middle and end of each day. Choose a wet day as more parents drive to pick up their children then.

If it is a big issue, make a reduced offer compared to a similar house in that area not right by the school.

Syman

I have lived on, or around schools for the last 20 years or so and right now live right next to a primary school, and watching the stand offs between pyjama clad mums vying for the right of way is very entertaining. Even more so if there is a bus in the mix.

Joking aside, if you are looking at being next to a primary school, then parking will likely be the only issue. High schools, particularly those that allow their student to wander during break and lunchtimes, then have a good look around at those times before committing.

tyler2027

another thing to consider.


I live down the side road of a primary school. Parking and gridlock have been the only issues for half an hour or so twice a day. Kids noise at playtime isn't a big deal.


The problem is that the school is relocating to a new site. They need more classrooms, bigger hall (used for lunch) bigger playground etc.


So the new schools being built, likely to be up and running in September. Then we are facing the demolition of the old building in the summer with all the delights that will ensue. Then the building of the industrial units that are replacing the school.


Time will tell how things pan out. I'd take a primary school over having a kiwk fit and a car M.O.T place right near my garden fence.


Actually, I'd happily live next to a cemetery....

Ci_bach

Don't do it!

I lived near a high school. It's amazing, the older children get the more allergic they are to walking. Especially when it rains!

As regards the parking issues, it was not unknown to return home & find a parents car sitting on my drive whilst they were waiting for their sprogs

I notice that estate agents in that area still use the term ' in the catchment area of XXXX School' - seems they haven't caught up with the 'concept' of' parental choice'.... Indeed, there are children in that very road that cant get into that school. So proximity doesn't guarantee a school place .

With regard to the school fields, how come they have not been sold off and developed in a cramped housing estate? Could be in the pipeline as most schools are strapped for cash. Think about security too - would you really want the little 'erberts coming into your garden, breaking down fences, smashing greenhouses trampling plants in order to retrieve their footballs etc. Not to mention litter.

Then there's the out of hours activities, open evenings, summer music school (there is a limit as to how many times one can endure the William Tell Overture):rotfl:

So you see, every silver lining has a cloud (or three!).

Nah, don't do it!

CB

POPPYOSCAR

The parking got so bad at our local primary with so many complaints that they have now put yellow lines there with no parking at set times.

This means that the people who live there will have problems if someone wants/needs to visit them at those times.Also not sure what happens if there are more cars in a household than space to park on their drive.

Not something I would want.

Davesnave

I live out in the country, nowhere near a school, but I always know when school run is on, because a significant proportion of cars travel down to the pinch point at the end of our field faster than average.

Farmers in their 4x4s, and even delivery guys in vans, drive with a reasonable amount of circumspection here, but parents on a mission are a different matter. It's not uncommon to be pushed into the hedge by a Clio, even when I'm in my 3.5 tonne van.

Last year, I made the mistake of felling a small tree around 3.15pm, meaning that the road was out of action for all of two minutes while I cut it up and shifted it to one side. Two ladies couldn't possibly wait that long and actually drove over it while I was still sawing!

teddysmum

You may have speed humps inflicted (We had some built when a school was given a freebie sum of money,not by the council,to spend on safety, but there is no legislation about height , though there are suggested ones) and these can considerably increase wear and tear on your car, if passed on a daily basis, or even damage the underside if they are too high. They are also hell to drive / be driven over, if you have joint problems.


Another concern is the possibility of balls damaging your property, but this would be easily checked by observing where play areas are and whether there is safety netting erected.

Davesnave

teddysmum wrote: »

Another concern is the possibility of balls damaging your property, but this would be easily checked by observing where play areas are and whether there is safety netting erected.

It almost always is nowadays. Most schools now boast fencing they'd have been proud to have in Stalag Luft 17.

Our fencing was suitably high, so we didn't expect the kids to belt balls over them. If they did, they couldn't get them back until after school, and then it had to be in grovel mode. The residents concerned knew this.

Seemed to work OK .

Grumpelstiltskin

O P As almost every one has said don't even think about it.

I suffered this and the Head's attitude was 'once the children are out of the gates they are not our problem'.

Oh and yellow lines don't make the slightest difference and if it is raining heavily then the little darlings can't possibly get wet. Some parents would park in the class rooms if they could.

LannieDuck

JKell wrote: »

Hello

We are looking to buy a house that is right next to a school (literally next, with a shared border).

We think this might be a good thing from a few different aspects
1. Getting to the school for my little one should be a 20 second drill !
2. View into open fields of the school
3. Safety - a lot of people are either walking in/out/around the school.

But are there any negatives that we need to be aware of?


JK

Have you looked at whether it's a school you'd want to choose for your LO?

And check out last year's entrance numbers with the LA - how many kids were taken from in catchment etc. If they don't take all applicants within catchment, it should be possible to check what's the furthest distance they accepted. As others have said, you don't want to buy there counting on getting into the school and then discover that you can't!