Secondary schools in striking distance of streatham common

[Littlepaleale]

DD’s in year 5 and we’re starting to get our head around options for senior school. It’s terrifying.

Looking at last year’s admission distances we’re in the catchment area for precisely 0 schools in Lambeth that i’d feel comfortable with.

Hoping someone might come along to reassure me and with some pearls of wisdom on a few things...

• Wandsworth test, what’s best way to prep for this - any books or tutors you’d recommend?
  
• views on Harris Academies near by. I hear mixed things...
  
• worth considering Sutton grammars or have we left it too late? (she does well at school but is not a mega mega high-flier)
  
• anything else we could be considering (not church goers but open to religious schools tho realise this is unrealistic!)
  

Am trying to be chilled (failing miserably) and to shield her from all of this ridiculousness (doing alright so far) so am grateful for anything you can share.

[Arkestra]

It's not just catchment areas, for instance Chestnut Grove in Balham have places for Art and Modern Foreign Languages - you can see more details here: www.chestnutgrove.wandsworth.sch.uk/Specialist-Places. Worth looking around if other schools have specialities.

The Wandsworth test papers are done by GL Assessment, who have practice papers here: www.gl-assessment.co.uk/products/11plus-series-11-plus-practice-papers/ . I just put DD through practice papers and didn't tutor, so will have to defer to others for advice there.

What schools would you like, ideally, to get admission to - and which seem unattractive? It may be that reputation is out of touch with current reality, so it's worth being relatively explicit in case someone can fill you in one way or the other.

Good luck!

[JoJoSM2]

Re Sutton grammar schools, you can always give it a go. They’re very competitive so you need to be bright and well prepared + the girls grammars reserve many places for more local applicants.
Out of other Sutton schools, Glenthorne is a fab national teaching school and offers performing arts scholarships.

Overton Grange is in central Sutton and usually undersubscribed so you could try there. Academically, they’re in line with the national average (so do have very academic top sets) and their UPS is an extensive co-curricular provision. Nice, well behaved kids etc so an option for avoiding some of the Lambeth Schools.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

I don't live too far from Woodmansterne. Seems like a nice school, the children I see every day are polite and well mannered.

[AveEldon]

Burntwood have a 78 places that are for the top test scorers in the Wandsworth test

If you are on facebook I'd recommend joining Streatham Mums/Parents Network and posting there

[Littlepaleale]

Thanks all - really helpful comments. Guess it’s the speciality or test route we’ll be going down. Will investigate Sutton and am going to have a look at Burntwood next week.

Would be delighted with Woodmansterne but at over 1000m away, doubt we’d get in.

This is a stressful business!

[malmontar]

From what I can see woodmansterne is both primary and secondary. Have you thought about checking if they have in year admission places now? If she moved now she'd get a secondary place automatically. Just over a mile doesn't seem like much for travel.

[Littlepaleale]

That thought did cross my mind malmontar!

[malmontar]

I would look into it if it saves you all this stress. There are pros and cons but kids move in y5 and 6 all the time.

[CampingItUp]

How far are you from Dunraven?

[Heatingson]

A bit late to this but I know of a group tutor that lots of local parents have used for the Wandsworth test. They seem pleased with her. If you would like the info just message me.
There have also been a couple of children who left our school to go to Woodmansterne junior in yr 6 to secure a place at their secondary.
We are not far from you and in the last couple of yrs all the children have ended up with places they are happy with so try not to worry.

[jackparlabane]

If a bit far from Woodmansterne, does that mean you'd be near Norwood, Dunraven and Elmgreen? Presumably you aren't Catholic so not considering BTG?

[Littlepaleale]

Thanks for replies and sorry for radio silence... just over 1000m from dunraven. We’re in a bit of a black spot... but there are lots of people in the same boat and they end up with places they’re happy with. Have been asking around and heard good things about Overton. Have PMed you heatingson thanks!

[CampingItUp]

LaRetraite didn’t fill all its spaces last year, and now only takes a minority Catholic intake. It used to be the highest performing state school in Lambeth, I think.

All girls, though.

[Lifesatoot]

Littlepaleale - curious to know what you decided as we've also been looking at Woodmansterne and Dunraven.

[Workerbeee]

Have you looked at Virgo Fidelis on Central Hill?