Turnpike Lane underground station
Jul 10th, 2006, 12:36 AM
#1
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Turnpike Lane underground station
Dear fodorites,
I have found a language school for my daughter which is near Turnpike Lane underground station. Is this a safe area or would it be better to stick to my first choice and enroll her to one in Oxford street?
I have found a language school for my daughter which is near Turnpike Lane underground station. Is this a safe area or would it be better to stick to my first choice and enroll her to one in Oxford street?
Jul 10th, 2006, 01:26 AM
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You're asking the wrong question.
Turnpike Lane tube (a stunningly beautiful building, BTW) is at a very busy public transport hub in an absolutely standard, humdrum, rather shabby London suburb. Precisely where millions of us live.
As EVERYWHERE is London, there are a few estates nearby you wouldn't want your child to venture onto. But it's highly unlikely anyone would put a language school - or any other business - anywhere near such a place. And there's little shortage of lowish rent legitimate business buildings immediately round the tube. Because of the huge impact land costs have on any London business, you should be able to get far better value for money from a course out of the centre.
By all means post the exact postcode of the school here so one of us can check precisely where it is. And treble-check it's a genuine school: there've been documentaries about phoney schools, and an Oxford St address is no absolute guarantee of anything. But the school's location isn't likely to be the problem.
What you need to look out for is where she's living. She won't be living in Oxford St even if she's studying there. So whichever school you choose, you need to ensure she's in reasonable accommodation. Normally, we dismiss safety questions in London on this board, since there aren't really any hotels in dodgy areas most foreign visitors could get involved with. But if your daughter's looking for longer-term accommodation, she does need to exercise basic caution.
In London, that's a bit more complicated than saying whole areas are OK or not. Personally, I'd say she needs to be funded so she can stay in a conventional hotel for a few days, physically inspect the accommodation and be able to reject a place and start again.
But others may have better advice for choosing long-termm, lowish budget, places to stay.
Turnpike Lane tube (a stunningly beautiful building, BTW) is at a very busy public transport hub in an absolutely standard, humdrum, rather shabby London suburb. Precisely where millions of us live.
As EVERYWHERE is London, there are a few estates nearby you wouldn't want your child to venture onto. But it's highly unlikely anyone would put a language school - or any other business - anywhere near such a place. And there's little shortage of lowish rent legitimate business buildings immediately round the tube. Because of the huge impact land costs have on any London business, you should be able to get far better value for money from a course out of the centre.
By all means post the exact postcode of the school here so one of us can check precisely where it is. And treble-check it's a genuine school: there've been documentaries about phoney schools, and an Oxford St address is no absolute guarantee of anything. But the school's location isn't likely to be the problem.
What you need to look out for is where she's living. She won't be living in Oxford St even if she's studying there. So whichever school you choose, you need to ensure she's in reasonable accommodation. Normally, we dismiss safety questions in London on this board, since there aren't really any hotels in dodgy areas most foreign visitors could get involved with. But if your daughter's looking for longer-term accommodation, she does need to exercise basic caution.
In London, that's a bit more complicated than saying whole areas are OK or not. Personally, I'd say she needs to be funded so she can stay in a conventional hotel for a few days, physically inspect the accommodation and be able to reject a place and start again.
But others may have better advice for choosing long-termm, lowish budget, places to stay.
Jul 10th, 2006, 02:28 AM
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Before we get too carried away: katbou has posted a number of queries, based around the fact that she and her 13-year old daughter will be living in New Barnet while her daughter goes to language school. Oxford St came into the picture when her first school changed its arrangements, and obviously the long commute is not desirable, especially since katbou has told us she prefers overground travel to the tube - and Turnpike Lane is on the end of a bus route from New Barnet.
Jul 10th, 2006, 02:31 AM
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From New Barnet where I believe you are staying you will find there is not a lot of difference in time between getting to Turnpike Lane and Oxford Street.
Although Turnpike Lane is perfectly safe (as is most of London) I would say Oxford Street is a more fun environment to study as you have all the shops, cafes and restaurants nearby where she could go with her course participants after lectures.
Turnpike Lane is a very multicultural place and I'm sure has all manner of interesting clothing shops and unusual food stores but for a young person Oxford Street would be far more enticing
Although Turnpike Lane is perfectly safe (as is most of London) I would say Oxford Street is a more fun environment to study as you have all the shops, cafes and restaurants nearby where she could go with her course participants after lectures.
Turnpike Lane is a very multicultural place and I'm sure has all manner of interesting clothing shops and unusual food stores but for a young person Oxford Street would be far more enticing
Jul 10th, 2006, 02:58 AM
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Patrick has summed up everything about the reason of my trip and why I'm looking for a language school near New Barnet. Thank you Patricklondon!
The address of the school is :Wellington and Euroway Centres
1 Wellington Terrace, Turnpike Lane, London N8 0PX
Any comments?
The address of the school is :Wellington and Euroway Centres
1 Wellington Terrace, Turnpike Lane, London N8 0PX
Any comments?
Jul 10th, 2006, 03:17 AM
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Looking at that schools website, they have a minimum age of 16, so it's no good for your daughter anyway. I'd be looking for somewhere that specialises in younger students rather than a college for adults.
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:43 AM
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The British Council's list of English language institutions they accredit (www.educationuk.org/english/)that offer courses for this age range doesn't include many in North London. Concorde International offers one in Hampstead (tel: +44 (0) 1227 451035 for details), and the International Community School has one in Regent's Park (tel +44 (0)20 7298 8877 for details). Either of these would be an awkward journey from New Barnet.
Jul 10th, 2006, 05:38 AM
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I would be seriously choosing the language school on quality of teaching. There are a lot of rubbish places out there. Check that it's accredited with the British Council. International House in Piccadilly is the classic option.
Jul 10th, 2006, 05:41 AM
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Jul 10th, 2006, 06:09 AM
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Nona1 I have already contacted the school and they said they would accept her.
As far as schools accredited by the British Council are concerned the fees they charge are way out of our low budget. I think a mediocre school and four weeks in london is better than nothing.But I'll probably stick to my first choice which is the london skills institute in 103a Oxford Street
Westminster
London
You have all been very helpful. It's my first trip to England and having to decide about the school, transport and everything has been very stressful.
You did a lot to help me.Thanks again!
As far as schools accredited by the British Council are concerned the fees they charge are way out of our low budget. I think a mediocre school and four weeks in london is better than nothing.But I'll probably stick to my first choice which is the london skills institute in 103a Oxford Street
Westminster
London
You have all been very helpful. It's my first trip to England and having to decide about the school, transport and everything has been very stressful.
You did a lot to help me.Thanks again!
Jul 10th, 2006, 06:10 AM
#12
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I forgot to tell you. If any of you wants to contact me on a more personal basis, my e-mail address is
[email protected]
[email protected]
