Property & Private Schools

When it comes to property and private schools in the UK, each family has its own traditions and choices to make.

However, Stacks notes that it’s becoming more unusual to send one’s children away with a trunk, and not to see them again until the next holidays. There is a growing trend for parents to opt for day prep and public schools, and existing schools are embracing parental involvement and access to children. Parents are becoming part of the pastoral curriculum, and even at boarding schools, parental involvement during term-time is required on a much more frequent basis than two or three years ago.

The increasing trend amongst families is to first select the school they wish their children to attend, and for this choice to then dictate the area in which they live, rather than leisure, family or even work issues. Consequently, there is a growing demand for family houses providing spacious accommodation in rural areas, within half an hour’s radius of both day schools and boarding schools.

Viewed in these terms, savvy parents are realising that the magic formula of access to good schools, plenty of property for your money, AND a tolerable daily commute to work is worth a lot on your house price.

As a result of years of Stacks’ experience in helping families move to meet their children’s schooling needs, we can provide further insight :

• In the long term, houses in good catchments hold their value, and if you want a good family house within half an hour’s drive of a good school, don’t waste your time looking for a bargain – expect to pay a substantial premium.
• There is a micro-market in houses of certain quality in the vicinity of certain schools. These properties may bypass the estate agents, often being traded at the school gates.
• If you want an investment that’s likely to see excellent capital growth, you can gamble on a school that you think is likely to grow in popularity. Inside information here is invaluable.

But, be warned, selecting a school as the basis of your house search can be a dangerous strategy. If your heart is set on one school, you may find that your child doesn’t get in or that the school’s position in the league tables changes. It may be a safer approach to select an area that has a raft of good schools, and provides plenty of choice, both state and private, for all different ages. This does then provide you with flexibility, allowing for over- or under-achieving children, and potential change in fortunes.

For insider information on your local schooling options, the Stacks Regional Director lives and works in your region – find out who can get you the inside track here.