Here We Go Again.

Mum talk

Here we go again.  I can’t believe I’m back trying to find a school for my eldest. This time it’s in the guise of  Woodhouse  College, a 6th form college in North Finchley which is getting very good A-level results (they got a little mention in my last post).   Our smarty pants was asked to go in for an interview the other day!  We were so proud when we found out. Apparently the college received 4000 applications, will interview approx 1500 15/16 year olds and will offer 850 conditional places.  This is a third more places than they can accommodate. “Like airline seats”,  I was expertly advised by the a college councillor, whilst  waiting with other parents in the hall.

The whole situation was extremely organised and surprisingly quite calm, so not too many stressed parents, but by this stage of our parenting, I’m sure we’ve experienced more stress with our TEENAGERS  and this is a  ‘walk in the park’.

It went well, my son said, there was ‘a good flow’ between him and the teacher, so we’ll have to wait now until late April to found out his fate.  Late April!  Why so long, it’s only February.  So watch this space…

Property talk

Woodhouse is steeped in history.  The former house of ornamental plasterer Thomas Collins (1735–1830) then reconstructed after WW1 in 1923 to become Woodhouse Grammer.  Is now and has been been for some time a 6th form college.   Michael McIntyre  studied here;  must have been a barrel of laughs with Mr McIntyre on ‘campus’!

North Finchley is situated in the London Borough of Barnet.  7 miles north west of Charing Cross, just north of the North Circular (A406).  It borders onto East Finchley, West Finchley, Friern Barnet, Whetstone and Woodside Park, it doesn’t have its own underground station, but is serviced by a bus station.  West Finchley Underground (Northern Line) is close by for links throughout the city.

The area is primarily residential and shopping with the cultural Artsdepot, a modern steel and glass designed centre, which includes 2 theatres, a gallery, courses, classes, studios and a cafe, very popular with children.

A well-established middle class suburb with lots of green space and a good supply of solid Victorian and Edwardian properties with good schools and colleges.

3/4 bedroom houses come on the market from 450k plus, whereby neighbouring Muswell Hill and East Finchley are more like £750k plus.