Which secondary schools for Petts Wood area? Should we move?

[Mayfair321]

Hi
My eldest DD is currently in year 3 but I am thinking ahead for secondary schools. We are in Petts Wood but don't appear to be in a catchment area for any good secondaries. I am hoping she passes the 11+ to go to a grammar school probably in Bexley or possibly Tonbridge, but if she doesn't pass I am stuck.
My options are:

1. stay where we are, hope for a grammar school and if not, hope she gets into Bromley High School (and hope we can afford to pay as we have 3 DC!)
   
2. move to Chislehurst for Bullers wood catchment. Means we may have to get a worse house than we are in due to the prices there and the kids may end up going to a grammar school anyway.
   
3. move further out towards Tonbridge (or even to Essex?) but then I love petts wood and don't want to be stuck in a new area with no friends etc! Plus I would need to change primary schools for my younger two.
   
   What do other people from Petts Wood do? I am hoping someone will be able to offer me some advice!
   Thanks for your help

[ellaboo71]

Hi. We live in Petts Wood and my daughter goes to Bullers Wood. it's not as difficult as you think and although you may not get an offer in the first round, many people do get one in the second or third. Also, as the catchment is as the crow flies, the nearer to the woods you live, the better.

[Mayfair321]

Thanks Ellaboo71. We are about 2.3 miles away from Bullers Wood as the crow flies - would this not be too far? I think they went out to 1.9 last year.

[ellaboo71]

2.3 would be tricky. Although others I know at that sort of distance have received an offer in the Sept/Oct of the new term. It would depend whether you were prepared to move her then and of course, it is not guaranteed.

[wineoclocktimeye]

I'm assuming you're not in the Darrick Wood catchment.

If you're looking to move, would Bickley be a cheaper option to Chislehurst? Still within the Bullers catchment and possibly mean your younger DCs wouldn't need to move schools. My DS travels from Bickley to Bexley Grammar and although it's a 45 min journey, it's just 1 bus ride.

[wineoclocktimeye]

Re-read my post, he goes to one of the Bexley Grammars, not Bexley Grammar itself