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Have you ever considered a teaching job in Waltham Forest? Although its name aside, it isn’t an area you’d immediately associate with verdant foliage, the borough of Waltham Forest is actually among London’s greenest – its seven parks aside, it’s home to Epping Forest, London’s largest public open space, which was once a royal hunting ground and is today designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. On the other hand – on the other, Southern, side of the North Circular Road everything looks a lot grittier and more inner city.
The borough was originally to have been named Walthamstow, after the central town and administrative hub. A petition opposing it, presumably signed by residents of other prominent local towns such as Chingford and Leyton, succeeded and the borough took its name from the organisation that managed the deer population across the area: Waltham Forest. Back in 2014, The Independent was reporting on a huge influx of people to the area and a corresponding surge in property prices. This was in no small part because of the interest spurred by the 2012 Olympics, of which the borough hosted many events. It also pointed out that the main drive for that surge was that it was cheap – and referred to the area as ‘an urban sprawl’, bemoaning its lack of cultural action.
Thanks in part to its designation as the inaugural London’s Borough of Culture in 2019, though, – and to what’s grown from the roots the 2012 Olympics put down – Waltham Forest has blossoming of late.
In terms of education provision, the borough is well-served, with well of 50 state secondary school, some 17 primary schools and 7 special and alternative schools. The scope for education professionals is extended further by 4 independent senior and all-through schools and 2 specialised independent primary/preparatory schools: the Noor Ul Islam Primary School and Walthamstow Montessori School. In addition, you have four Further Education colleges, one of which (Leyton Sixth Form College) received the accolade of best college in London for sport just after the 2012 Olympics!
Walthamstow’s renaissance means there’s rarely a dull moment on the social and cultural scenes – and you’ll be walking the streets on which once resided the likes of David Beckham, Damon Albarn and East 17. Whether you’re here for the William Morris gallery in tribute to the borough’s great, designer, craftsman, writer, retailer and political activist, the Walthamstow Pump House Museum, for grime stars such as Lethal Bizzle and Blazin’ Squad or just for the jellied eels, the borough’s got a lot going for it these days as a great place to work, rest and play!.