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Original poster

Chislehurst, Bexley or Sidcup?

36 replies

RedDawn18 · 06/04/2014 03:09

Hi,

Feeling a bit confused and overwhelmed. We're looking to sell our house and move to a grammar school area. We first looked at Sidcup because it was near my parents, reasonably decent commute to London and has grammar schools. With the recent housing bubble in London though, our budget has shot up (we're hoping to have a budget of £450-465k for a 3 bedroom house if all goes well with the house prices here). We're 80% confident that this budget is obtainable. So we started to look at Chislehurst, which looks lovely, as well as Bexley.
Our DD is going to be in reception class and we will have to put in a late application, unfortunately. I'm a bit worried about this. What if we end up with a school that isn't great? But then again, primary schools in Chislehurst are generally good. We are planning DC no. 2, and looking to stay put until secondary school is finished. My main worry is secondary schools. Should we buy in Bexley instead of Bromley because of the bigger grammar school options? Bullers Wood School is ideal, but I read that the catchment area is small and I don't think our budget will get us anything in its catchment area.
We would prefer a girls' school to be honest. Just read the ofsted for Beaverwood and they might be an option, but they don't seem to support high attainment children (DD is quite advanced and we think she will need a school who will support her in attaining high).

I know DD is young and I'm sure a lot of people will think that I'm worrying about something that is unpredictable as it is so far away (the fall of Edgebury school for example), but we're trying to find a home where we can bring up the children until they leave school. Is Bexley Village nice? How does it compare to Chislehurst? Where would be the nicest area to live in Bexley Borough?

We have to rule out private school as we won't be able to afford it if DC2 comes along. Or do you think we should just move to Chislehurst and move again 5-6 yrs time? Confused confused confused.

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Monkeys121 · 03/10/2018 21:52

so do people think it will be all offered in 2019 for Chislehurst school for girls what about coopers school in Chislehurst is that any good is it easy to get into

PettsWoodParadise · 02/10/2018 23:11

I can only go on the few families I know and the data that says it went to all offered. Hopefully others will come along with more insight.

Monkeys121 · 02/10/2018 22:40

so if I wanted the Chislehurst school for girls in 2019 you would easy get a place there what about so why does not any one want the school apart what you said one happy one not

PettsWoodParadise · 29/09/2018 08:43

As I said above it has gone to all offered so no matter where you lived if you wanted the school you’d get it. The reason being generally no one wants the school. As I posted on another thread where you asked the same question I know a girl who is ok there in the grammar stream and another who is unhappy (bullying, lack of teachers).

Monkeys121 · 28/09/2018 22:25

i just want to know about Chislehurst school for girl no other school what are people verdict on that school only and would you get from living right near Queen Mary's hospitail

PettsWoodParadise · 28/09/2018 20:06

Chislehurst School for girls has gone to all offered for years and years. I suspect this is unlikely to change with the new feeder school system.

MrsPatmore · 28/09/2018 19:27

I think you can look on the council website to see how far the last offers went out in previous years.

Monkeys121 · 28/09/2018 13:49

Chislehurst school as a lot of feeder schools do many children go there each year from feeder primary schools if you live 1.5 miles would you get a place does anyone know if this school is popular school or not any comments would be welcome

Monkeys121 · 24/09/2018 22:43

I would like to know if people think I am more likely to get Chislehurst school for girls if I live 1 .5 miles but it does have feeder schools I live near queen mary hospital in Sidcup but the feeder schools some children might live quite a long way from Chislehurst school for girls

LadyLapsang · 24/09/2018 20:59

If you were willing to do work and negotiated hard I think you could get a place within the catchment for Bullers, then you could decide nearer the time whether to enter your children for the 11+. You may also be interested to know Bullers Wood School for Boys opened earlier this month.

Rebecca36 · 24/09/2018 17:36

Rebecca36 Sun 23-Sep-18 00:37:59
Yes it is nice. All the benefits of Chislehurst without the huge house prices. A few houses up the road from me, a house similar to mine is more than £100,000 more expensive just for being in Chislehurst.

Within easy reach of Coopers in one direction, St Thomas More in the other, both good comps.

Buses from down the road go to Newstead Wood and St Olave's area.
One bus to Sidcup wherein lies Chis & Sid. Here are some examples within price range you stated. If you can up that a bit there are better houses. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54564054.html

Astronotus · 23/09/2018 14:46

RedDawn. Bear in mind Bexley Council has a number of times discussed changing the system for "out of borough" children who apply for Bexley grammars. There are large numbers of non-Bexley children in their grammars and many Bexley children who pass the test still fail to get places. There has been a lot of local pressure from Bexley residents for the Council to change their system. If your child is only 4 years old this is likely to come up again in the future.

Rebecca36 · 23/09/2018 00:37

Yes it is nice. All the benefits of Chislehurst without the huge house prices. A few houses up the road from me, a house similar to mine is more than £100,000 more expensive just for being in Chislehurst.

Within easy reach of Coopers in one direction, St Thomas More in the other, both good comps.

Buses from down the road go to Newstead Wood and St Olave's area.
One bus to Sidcup wherein lies Chis & Sid.

MrsFogi · 23/09/2018 00:12

I'd go for Bromley in the catchment of Bullers Wood. Then you have the option of Bexley, Kent and Bromley grammars (i.e. three bites at the cherry) and Bullers Wood (which is excellent).

Monkeys121 · 22/09/2018 22:59

Talking about secondary school I live 1.5 miles away from Chislehurst school for girls and 2.5 miles from
coopers which one will admission more likely to give me need some replys

whatsagoodusername · 15/09/2015 23:28

I live in New Eltham, which borders Bexley borough. Judging by uniform, there are quite a few grammar school kids around, although I can't remember which atm we have just started reception and I'm not thinking that far ahead yet so haven't paid much attention.

New Eltham is much cheaper than Chislehurst, and close enough to enjoy it.

asianna · 15/09/2015 23:08

I moved to Sundridge Park to be in Bullers Wood catchment as a back up school for my DD but my wish is for my DD to get into one of the grammar schools (Chis & Sid, Bexley or Townley). Yes, whilst I am fortunate to move into Bullers Wood catchment, I believe my DD needs to be in a centre of excellence which will help her to thrive amongst other children who also want the same thing. My DD is easily swayed and although she is quite bright (hopefully bright enough to pass the tests), she would veer towards the naughty children who are not interested in studying so I need to ensure the school environment helps her to stay on track. She has no interest in studying and will make every excuse under the sun not to have to study so a Grammar school environment with like minded children will help her. Until we visit the schools, I have no idea which one I believe she would fit into or indeed feel comfortable in. I've been planning this day since she was 4years old and I cannot believe how competitive the education system has become and it's quite stressful as a parent and a child. Fingers crossed.

BlueBrightFuture · 07/07/2015 20:54

Chis & Sid definitely getting more popular. DD1 in year 10 has friends from Orpington and Bromley. DD2 is starting year 7 next September and people living 4.33 miles away are on the waiting list! The Bexley Grammars seem to be getting more popular and since the test was changed more local DC seem to pass. When DD1 passed the 11+ 4 DC in her year went to Chis @ Sid. This year it is 15.

PettsWoodParadise · 06/07/2015 18:46

Marlarsen the Chis & Sid distances for past years are published in the Bexley booklet and I know the trend is that it gets smaller every year. If your DC is planning to go first he needs to pass the test in September and then if scores in the top 180 distance is not an issue. If they pass but not top 180 then oversubscription criteria such as siblings and distance come into play. Score only comes into it for a top 180 place which is why some come and sit for Bexley from huge distances away.

Mimigolightly · 06/07/2015 18:42

Another option could be to move slightly closer to Dartford. There are 2 excellent girls grammar schools there: Dartford and Wilmington.

PettsWoodParadise · 06/07/2015 18:37

Hi, I live in Petts Wood if you hadn't guessed already by my moniker. Local children often sit the Kent, Bexley and Bromley grammar tests as all have schools within reach. It is also a fantastic place to live, great community feel and great primary school in Crofton. Great commuting options too. However for non-grammar secondaries you need to be in certain locations to get Bullers or Darrick otherwise you will end up with less popular choices of Coopers or Chislehurst (was Beaverwood).

malarsen · 06/07/2015 12:27

Hi. We live in Sundridge avenue. My son is planning on going to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar in 2016. In year 6 now. How much does distance matter. We are about 4.7 miles away. The council says the cut off for 2014 is 5.99 miles. Does anybody know anything about distances and things? Or do the schools go by grades alone?

owennn · 10/07/2014 08:35

Hi

We live in Bickley/Chislehurst. Our son (what is it with this DD/DC rubbish) goes to Chis & Sid and it is ideally suited to him.

It strikes me that a lot of very opinionated people on here are just looking at a general view of a school and seem to be self absorbed about what a good school is. A lot of the time people seem to be too swayed by wive's tales and gossip. What is most important is how a school will suit your child and not what you want your child to suit. Obviously everyone wants their child to prosper and be happy at whichever school they go to. There will be a lot of ups and downs in their school years and the occasional problem that might occur. How a school is setup to deal with the problems is important.

From a personal point of view we have found Chis & Sid to be a well balanced school with plenty of support for our child and plenty of communication where needed. The teachers are approachable as is the Head Master. The children at the school for the most are all happy and also ambitious, most have been tutored for the 11+ but this has also given them a good grounding and understanding of how to work and focus. This means that most of the children there are bright and capable, of course there will be exceptions. You will find out fairly swiftly if you child is struggling or rebelling against being tutored and the question is if you force them to go through the 11+ is that really a good thing for them and are they really going to be happy? We had an older son who we tutored, but not as intensely as the younger one and tried him for St Olave's and also for St Dunstan's, that was a big mistake for him as he wasn't interested in doing any of this. In the end he went to Ravensbourne which was the only option left to him. Ravensbourne was good for him and offered a lot of support even though he really wasn't interested in School or anything. The school worked very hard to get him through but in the end it was down to our son's attitude that caused the most problems. He was a difficult teen and ended up in Orpington College for his A-levels, which was also challenging. Thankfully he has grown up and found his direction in the Army, best thing he could have done for himself. He has regrets abouot his school time but is getting there now.

So in conclusion Bromley has good schools that suit most every child. The 11+ system gives options for the brightest children and proximity to Bromley is good for either the Kent Grammar Schools or Bexley Grammar Schools. Where we live the best reachable Kent Grammar school is Judds.

This is not an easy choice to make but take a good look at your children and you have to judge what type of school would suit them. I was stunned to see comments on this website about the cost of uniform having an affect on which school to go to what is that about. If you have children and you think that School X or Y will suit them then you will not be looking at the cost of the uniform!

ISAmum1 · 10/04/2014 23:15

Hi

I live in Bromley, near Sundridge Park, with a DS at Chis and Sid and a DD at Bullers. I drop DS at bus stop every morning, he catches the 269 and finds journey to school very quick. The journey home is slower, but he doesn't seem to mind (gets to talk to his friends) and he still has plenty of time at home. I pick him up from school once a week, otherwise he uses the bus. DD at Bullers is doing very well, we are very happy with school, we are approx. 1 1/2 miles away. If it were possible we would have sent DS to Bullers, but he didn't want to wear a skirt!

Hope this info. helps, do have a good look around the areas you are interested in. Do your research.