Help me choose between Cardinal Vaughan and London Oratory School for year after next

I meant shocking as in unfair, not that it was a new idea to me!

OTOH, the Catholic girls school a mile or so to the north of Cardinal Vaughan takes all comers. Being a catholic is merely one of the oversubscription criteria and Cardinal Vaughan is considerably oversubscribed.

Surely it is not shocking - that is how the UK education system has been for decades. Disappointing maybe, annoying probably that there is not a secular state school nearby, but not shocking nor a surprise I would suggest
Religious education is the purpose of all Catholic schools including these two -how can you have a "bit part" Catholic education, practice or life .... now that would be truly shocking.

I think it's shocking that you can't go to your local school just because you aren't the 'right' religion Sailor. I would love to have such a good state school on my doorstep and, if we did, would be very upset for my DCs not to be able to go just because we aren't the 'right' religion (we are commited christians but not Catholic). Is religion a bit part of the school day at Cardinal Vaughan and London Oratory?

Absolutely no chance whatsoever - even if you lived next door.

Chances of getting in if you're not a Catholic are zero.

Is it possible to get into Cardinal Vaughan but not be a catholic but resident very locally? We live about 500 yards from the school and are committed Christians, CofE, and provided the academic and music criteria were fulfilled would there be any chance?
Anyone know of anyone getting in not being a catholic?

Oratory school is a fairly "high" Catholic school in religious terms - traditional in liturgy, academics etc but but soft or spiritual, with a strong pastoral focus in service to the boys/girls. Vaughan school is difficult to be clear about - lots of Daily Telegraph supporters who seem to be a mixed bag: several very right wing young (and not so young) fogies - a la Brideshead - but many of same people also seem to hold simultaneously non-traditional views eg women in leadership of church; critical of Bishops etc. Both very good schools in academic terms. Probably a case of horses for courses in terms of choice.

Neighbour's son just excluded from Vaughan school - he only started in September. People say the school breaks the Year 7s down and then builds them up - not sure what they build them up to be but whole process seems rather unpleasant.

I mean the perception that the CV banding test is part of the admissions proceedure

mumwithtwokids - I know why you say that. It is a view shared by many and is not good for the school - CVMS would say that their banding test is not part of admissions procedure - but your perception is shared by many and might be the reality.

London Oratory don't carry out a banding test as part of their admission procedure.

Both carry out a banding test. I agree both are very good schools but it is the Oratory that gets significantly better results measured by the EBACC - the toughest GCSEs; CV seem to be better at playing the league tables though but that comes at a cost in terms of asking people to leave at end of GCSEs and in lower sixth. CV has new head so things might change.

Either school is very good. I attended Cardinal Vaughan myself and a few of my relatives attended London Oratory and I do believe that Cardinal Vaughan is slightly stronger academically. However one thing to note is that Cardinal Vaughan do carry out a banding test whilst London Oratory don't.

I suppose it all comes down to which one suits your child best.

London Oratory is obviously the better of the two for a variety of reasons like exam results, discipline and overall calibre of students, however you have to be a strict committed Catholic to get into the school and have a fantastic reference from your Priest.