Got offers for Alleyn's and Greycoat

It has changed. You won't get a first round Greycoats offer unless you're well under 1 km from the school these days.

I am surprised AnotherNewt suggests most Greycoats pupils live in Westminster. Unless things have changed markedly, Greycoats has been one of those schools which local kids find very difficult to get into, and then face seeing loads come in on the train, bus and tube. The effective catchment certainly used to stretch way into Kent and up into North and West London, as it was mainly based on religiousity. Alleys would be more SE/SW London though with some using the school buses that serve Central London.

I agree with Jinglebelles. Greycoats is a good school by many accounts but does not have anything like the resources of Alleyns. I also would not take the bus all the way. You would be commuting into town during the rush hour. You would only need one set of roadworks, and you would be pretty well stuffed. There is always a big crowd on the short bus ride from Waterloo, and even more on the bus from Victoria. (None of who seemed to know about offering their seats for the elderly etc - but then presumably the sort of religiousily tested does not include basic charity and good manners. Oddly in direct contrast to children from Harris Battersea, despite the latter being seen as a less desirable school.)

My friend's daughter did the commute from West Dulwich to Greycoats with no problems at all. But she did not do it solely by bus. She did a mix of train and bus. I don't know exactly but I would not want to do that trip on the bus during peak time. You will spend that much time just getting to the other side of Brixton (am assuming the number 3). That said she had a great experience at Greycoats and although you say fees are not a problem it is nice not to pay them, especially with the cost of university.

Thanks! I'd forgotten the language places were super-selective (and the rest of the admissions policy is nigh on incomprehensible).

I think an hour from Dulwich to Westminster will be the time it takes on a good day. Evenings won't matter so much, but she might find herself having to leave very early in the morning to allow for hold ups.

I've heard that the music is very good at Greycoats. Is that an interest of hers?

Alleyns pupils can come from anywhere, but in practice many are SW Londoners. Mist Greycoats pupils are tight in Westminster.

I suspect that the presenceof Ms Cameron will mean that Greycoats becomes a much sought after school!

Greycoats offers went out as far as Dulwich?!?

More to the point, the key things are whether you want coed or single sex.

And also how sporty she is (facilities and range available much greater at Alleyns) plus interest in drama (also very good at Alleyns).

And do not underestimate the value of having a school within walking distance, for things like early morning or after school clubs. Also as it would be ordinary bus to Greycoats, how long would you really have to leave to get there? 45 minutes sounds very optimistic for morning peak time (especially as she'd have to change bus at least once) and that's not allowing for roadworks, strikes etc

My dh went to Alleyn's - he still feels 'a part' of the school ten years later. I've been to events there and you can't help but be impressed by the running of the school and how confident the pupils are.

Alleyns if she is and her parents are robust enough to handle a Dulwich high profile school. I have contacts at greycoats - a great school but in my opinion not a patch on alleyns for academic prowess and life opportunities.