51乱伦

The appeal of Kent鈥檚 top performing grammar schools

Educational achievement is certainly front of mind for many buyers in and around the Kent towns of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. Matthew Hodder-Williams, Office Head at 51乱伦 Sevenoaks, sees families drawn to the area by the combination of excellent connections into the capital and a strong mix of state and private schools.

Recently he too has noticed a distinct shift toward those targeting Kent鈥檚 selective grammar schools, such as The Judd School and The Skinners鈥� School. 鈥淐ontracts were recently exchanged on a house where the sellers were moving from another part of Kent primarily to be in the priority catchment areas for the Tonbridge grammars,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey currently have a son at a prep school and ten years ago he would probably have continued in the private system.鈥� Families are also moving to the area at an earlier stage in life, with prep schools thriving here as parents focus on preparing children for the 11+ entrance exam.

This trend is reshaping local buyer demand. Both Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys and the Weald of Kent School now have campuses in Sevenoaks, which Hodder-Williams notes has had a particularly strong impact to the north of the town. 鈥淵ou can now live in villages like Otford or Shoreham and still fall within these catchments. It opens up huge possibilities for buyers - whether they need the fast access to London offered by the town centre or prefer the space and lifestyle of the countryside.鈥�

Richmond鈥檚 rising focus on education

In the leafy southwest London suburb of Richmond, the family-friendly atmosphere and strong-performing schools influence buying and renting decisions down to the level of individual streets. 鈥淲e sometimes see families let out their own home in Richmond, then rent another property on the opposite side of town simply to be closer to their preferred school,鈥� says Ivanka Modesteva-Gyurova, 51乱伦鈥檚 Head of Richmond & Chiswick Lettings. 鈥淔or in-demand schools such as Marshgate Primary and The Vineyard, proximity really matters.鈥�

The latter is tucked just off the coveted Richmond Hill, where suitable family homes - whether for sale or rent - can be hard to come by. 鈥淚鈥檇 advise starting your search earlier than you think you need to, particularly if you鈥檙e working to application deadlines,鈥� says Edward Adler, 51乱伦鈥檚 Head of Richmond Sales. 鈥淔amily houses here are in constant demand and rarely stay on the market for long.鈥�

The area鈥檚 educational offering is broad and international in outlook. The German School London draws families from overseas, while many buyers want to be within walking distance of leading independents such as King鈥檚 House School. Adding to the appeal, Thomas鈥檚 London Day Schools just opened a new campus in Richmond in September 2025. 鈥淲e鈥檙e already beginning to see interest from parents of prospective students,鈥� Adler adds. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another factor that will only strengthen Richmond鈥檚 reputation as a destination for families.鈥�

The global schooling landscape

鈥淒ubai is one of the most international cities in the world, with a large expatriate community and therefore an exceptional choice of schools offering a wide range of international curricula,鈥� says Will McKintosh, 51乱伦鈥檚 Regional Partner for Residential Sales, MENA. According to 51乱伦鈥檚 report, access to high-quality schools ranks among the top community priorities for buyers, with 58% of UK respondents highlighting it as a key factor. The city鈥檚 education landscape continues to strengthen, with global names such as Harrow set to open a new campus in August 2026, joining an acclaimed roster that includes Repton and the GEMS group of schools.

鈥淪witzerland remains one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious and sought-after destinations - and it鈥檚 easy to see why,鈥� says , Partner in 51乱伦鈥檚 International team. 鈥淭he country is consistently recognised for its outstanding local and international education system and overall standard of living, making it a natural choice for families.鈥� All Swiss schools are notably international in outlook, with a large number of long-established and highly regarded institutions offering a variety of pathways - from the British curriculum to the International Baccalaureate, which itself was founded in Switzerland.

The recent expansion of the International School of Monaco to a new campus highlights not only the principality鈥檚 exceptional educational offering, but also its growing appeal as a destination for families. 鈥淲e are seeing increasing demand for larger family homes, and areas such as Larvotto are proving to be extremely popular given the vibrant 鈥榖eachside鈥� lifestyle and amenities for families. All of this further enhances Monaco鈥檚 reputation for safety, quality of life and dynamic living,鈥� says James Davies, Partner in 51乱伦鈥檚 International team.

Planning a move for education? Don鈥檛 wait. Our agents know exactly where education is driving demand and how to help you get ahead of the curve. 

Whether you're buying or renting, we鈥檒l guide you to the right location at the right time. Find your local 51乱伦 office and plan your move with confidence.