r2i forum

Hi,

I am in service and have an offer from my company for moving to London on Deputation for 3-4 years some time in November'2011. I assume the salary etc would be fairly decent for mid-management levels. Need some advise on the following:
(1) How is the family life in UK? I hear some bad stories about weather all the time...
(2) My kid is presently in junior KG.What would be the best option in terms of schooling for him. When should I apply ? Where do I find some good school options with some Indian population?
(2) Since we may return when he is in about 3rd or 4th grade - any ideas about how in terms of rejoining indian school system will pan out.Will he loose a year - as I understand UK has Sept-Aug academic year.


Thanks.

1) London is full of Indians, you won't feel you are out of India.
2) Nov will be bit cold. If possible try to come here in August or first part of Sept. During winter days are really short in UK. Sunsets around 4pm and sun rises at 8:30am. Summers are pleasant.
3) School education is free in UK. Try to bring transfer certificate.
4) admissions are based on area you live. so first search about good schools (search 'ofsted' or london school ranking in google) and rent flat accordingly.
5) Indian areas : Wembly, Harrow, Hounslow, Southall

Hope this is helpful.

Best Luck!

also refer to earlier thread on similar subject

http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1442-UK-Life-in-UK

OP, I can't remember the name right now but in some thread/s I have posted lot of information about life in the UK - school admissions, areas to live, transport, social life, finances, travel, food... etc. You may want to search and see if you find them.

Well the weather outside of summer is not the biggest selling point of the UK. OTOH, it always gives you an opportunity to make small talk with someone.
Kids schooling in London- State schooling all over the UK is free, however because of significant population density of London compared to the rest of the country, the state benefits tend to spread the thinnest. As a result, there can be some really bad innercity state schools( if you remember the movie To Sir With Love was based ona n innercity East London School). But that shouldnt give the message that all state schools are of poor quality. Iam just underlying the others' advice to properly research schools and then choose your place of stay ,because state schools tend to concentrate their intake on the immediate catchment area. For this ,you need to check on the Ofsted website as well as the BBC League Tables as well as (most importantly) speak to other friends and contacts there.
Most Indian amenities are freely available in London and the immigrant population is so high there, its the white ENglishman that looks out of place!
Hindi/Tamil/Malayalam/perhaps other languages too movies are released in theatres in various parts of London the same day as in India.
About your kids return- you are planning too far ahead-go with the flow when the time comes.
The working hours are great and weekends are respected( unless you are that antisocial species called doctor)- above all ,all substantive jobs usually come with 7 weeks annual leave per year! Very easy to travel to various wonderful parts of Europe and believe me ,even in the recesion, the British Pound stretches pretty well in most places!
ENjoy your time and make the best of it-Despite the weather!

For those who need to tan a bit more, the English weather is not so good. If you came with your own natural tan, heck...the weather is not a problem. Eating spicy food and carrying an umbrella are good protections against the weather. In big cities, one can even get colder beer, because they have foreign tourists asking for it. Have fun. Get out across the channel when you can.