I went to the (free) primary school down the road from Belmont, but we regularly played them at all…read moresporting events. And we Kicked. Their. Asses. However, being a well-maintained and small school, we also LOVED coming here to use their facilities (those school fees were put to good use). They have about 40 acres of land, containing seven rugby pitches, ten football pitches, cricket, field hockey, tennis and netball courts. They also used to have a huge cross-country course (although I don't know if they still have it) and, due to their relationship with Mill Hill School further along The Ridgeway, have access to a big fancy swimming pool and gymnasium facilities. Parking is a b*tch in the mornings -- their tasteful and contained entrance is not the easiest thing to navigate when more than two vehicles are involved (which means that anyone driving past is also incapacitated for an hour), but I imagine you could just WALK from the 240 bus stop nearby, or have your parents drop you off 5 minutes from this property. Academically, this school has some way to go -- its test scores are very average when you compare it to St. Paul's C of E (ahem ahem) next door. However, if you want your kids attend a beautifully maintained school, with some of the best facilities available to 5-11 year olds in North West London, this is the place for you.

The local community doesn't give too many props to this institute, often citing that as a result of…read moreit's location - the kids tend to be quite rowdy and uncontrollable, disturbing the residential area and generally not excelling much in the league tables either. Recently, however, it seems that Mayfield is climbing up the Redbridge schools ladder. I asked my rather insightful cousin Kainat and her lovely friend Veronika, who both attend the school and are in their first year of GCSE's to shed some light on the establishment; "Mayfield High School is a weird and wonderful combination of a local lunatic asylum as well as being a playground for its rough kids", laughs Veronika. "The grade percentages are getting a lot better now and it is viewed as being a successful Humanities and Arts specialist school". "But it is known for harbouring a troublesome community", adds Kainat. Both girls admit that the staff are friendly and eager to expand the knowledge of their students, to enable them to achieve the best results they can. "The school holds an immense pride in their unique motto 'to be the best that you can be'; however, some students do not share the same enthusiasm", they girls profess. They, of course, appear fond of their school - it did, after all, unite them both! Thanks for the insight girls...x

St Johns is a church of england school and has close connections with St Lukes. The school is only…read moresmall which means class sizes are a maximum of about 16 children. All the parents are really friendly and there is regular contact with the teachers for you to find out the progress your child is making. They have great initiative schemes for the kids which really encourages good behaviour, and the celebration assemblies at the end of each term gives parents a chance to see their child receive the certificates they have gained. The children all have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons at Walthamstow Hall, they have an excellent IT suite which is fully equipped and all the children get to use this. There is a branch of sevenoaks library located on the site and the children all visit once a week to choose a book of their choice to bring home. They also have 2 playgrounds and a large sports field. All parents are members of the SJA, organising fundraising activities, school events and generally contributing to the school on a day to day basis.

Ilford Cricket School is a great little treasure hidden behind beehive lane. If you were male and…read morewent to school anywhere near the area, you probably got a chance to go here; everyone in my school did. This place is to cricket what a driving range is for golf. Practice your bowling and practice your batting in the warmth of the building where, for once, you won't have to stop due to rain. Lovely facilities - kept clean and modern; and you have the chance to train with people who know absolutely everything about the sport.

My old primary school is the heart of the community. Merton Park, is at best described as a…read morelandscape without shops, but with quality services. It even elects its own councillors in the local elections, such is the continued strength of community and lack of faith with polictians. So much so that Gordon Brown visited this school two days before the recent general election to try and turn Merton Park's independent voters Red. The safe suburbia of tree lined houses makes Merton Park a desireable place to bring up your offspring. As the elder of two sprogs that attended this school many moons ago I see young children heading for Merton Park First school with the same enthusiuam I used to head for Merton Park Primary school back in the last century. It is for this reason I will not mention current teaching standards. Apart from being the social glue of the community of many families, along with the church, doctors and denist surgary. Merton Park primary is a fantastic, tiny school. Built in a shape it has a small intake each year of around 30, whom can start at the pre-school level which has its own section seperated within the small complex and takes pupils up to the age of 11. There are excellent play and security features in this school to entertain and captivate your children. I cannot promise that attending this school will turn your child into a world-beater (like me), or super popular (again like me) or a modest well rounded indiviual (like my little brother), but it will place you in the community, allow you and your child to make friends and allow you to acheive the desired results of living in one of London's most Independent piece's of state run suburbia.

Oh these were the days! I loved my school! Wolsey Infants School can be found in New Addington…read morewhich isn't the most desirable area around but it was my home for most of my childhood and this school was a great part of that! I enjoyed going to school everday because the teachers were great and the lessons were amazing! I am sure a lot has changed since I went here but Infant school is always the best in my opinion. Wolsey Infants was mostly blue and yellow as these were the school colours and I just remember a cute hall where assemblies would take place and a fun playground with all sorts of climbing frames and wooden models. Cool school!

Disclaimer: I am reviewing Bacon's College as a sports complex rather than a college…read more This place for a sports complex is not bad, they have lockers and clean facilities. There are hard surfaces for 5 a side pitches as well as the carpet side turf for pitches. I would not recommend wearing anything but rubber soled boots here. There is also an 11 side pitch, this pitch has better quality turf, the kind with rubber pellets so you can probably where normal boots on

I am reviewing this venue on its sports facilities as it opens its doors to public hiring after…read moreschool hours and on weekends. Home to so many badminton clubs (having 7 possible badminton courts) as well as many basketball courts, tennis courts, football/hockey pitches, ping pong tables etc. this site is perfect for the sports enthusiast. Compared to many other sites in which I have played badminton this is probably my favourite as the ceiling is high, the courts in the main gym are spacious with a varnished floor with distinct lines to outline the court. Alternatively the sports hall offers the option of more rubber-type floor and an indoor enclosed feeling. The staff are normally always available and can offer first aid as well as rackets to borrow. The main downside to this venue is that it is about 10mins walk away from the nearest public transport station (Canada Water). However, plenty of parking is available if you come by car and besides the walk is quite scenic; down wide roads and across a small river, which can be a nice warm up before playing sports.

this school has changed so much in the last ten years. firstly, it used to be boys and girls…read moreseperate - now it has started to merge. one the main draws for askes was it seperate sex education. classes up to 6th form are still taught seperately, but forms are mixed. iguess it depends on your viewpoint, but i am not keen on this. iguess it makes teaching easier though - to have all the same year groups on the one site 9lower school down the hill, upper school up!). on the whole though, this school has fantastic facilities - a great technology building and science labs, a huge playing feild and sports centre in nunhead, and a brilliant music department. they put on several shows a yea - including an opera - and they are all amazing. the music directors are fantastic and seem to engage the kids - i see so many walking to/from school with instrument cases. they have a lot of school trips too - not just to your standard places but as far flung as canada, america or kenya. it is a great school it just isnt as great as it once was.