South London school applications - anyone else baffled and bit stressed?

Very little of London has catchment as a priority (mainly because it is unmanageable, given high and variable population densities)

Things people do in your area:

a) sIt the Wandsworth test and hope for a place at Graveney
b) sit other selective tests and hope for a qualifying score for places at those schools (you get results back in time not to waste a place on the form if miles away from required mark)

Remember you are expressing preferences of which state school (nit making a choice). So do list some genuine preferences, even if they are long shots.

Usually advice is to list a banker, but when you have no sure-fire one, then which of the nearby undersubscribed schools is least unpalatable to you?

What secondary schools' uniforms do you see worn by neighbours DC? Especially ones who look 11/13ish?

Do consider that Burntwood often goes out quite a long way, on reallocations if not on first allocation

Greenshaw High School in Sutton admits 60 students on their score in the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test, not dependent on place of residence, if the journey would be doable for your DO? My impression is that as the SET is also part of the selection process for the Sutton grammar schools, most parents may be putting their DC in for it with an eye on a place at one of those and wouldn't be interested in Greenshaw, but I may be wrong. It would be another test yo take, though, which you / she may not want.

Gree Francis Holland is private, exams in January.

Don't forget you can put schools in Wandsworth on your list. It may be worth taking a look there as well.

If you have a shot at Francis Holland, Sloane Square go for it

if you have six prefs you can and I would say should put a school you would like as top option, if you are just out of reach of a desirable school then put that down. Nothing to lose! Just make sure you put your local ok school on there somewhere.

OP- remember that the distances on that document are the ones as at March. There will be a lot of movement after that date and many pupils will get offers from waiting lists. Lots of pupils in SW London end up going to private schools but will have submitted state applications. Or some will be on waiting lists for grammar schools and if they get a space at them will release their other offer. It's like a massive cascade!

They are not your choice of schools they are your preference.

I'm guessing you are in Tooting Bec

www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200472/secondary_school_admissions

You need to look at the distance lists for the schools as published by the council - see above

Your child needs to sit the Wandsworth test
If you want a Lambeth school you need to sit their test

Chestnut Grove may be an option depending on where you live
Burntwood too

It sounds like you are in an area where a number of schools use fair banding. This means children are placed into ability bands based on performance in a test with a number of places allocated to each band. The admission criteria then apply within each band, often with random allocation as a tie breaker. The idea is to ensure an even spread of abilities and prevent admissions being dominated by parents who can move close to the school. But yes, it can be confusing.

All schools being oversubscribed isn't a problem. That is fairly normal. To explain, imagine a town has 3 schools with a total of 500 places between them, there are 500 children needing places, the LA allows parents to name 3 schools and all parents name all 3 schools. The result will be that all 3 schools have 3 times as many applicants as places, so they will all be very oversubscribed. However, all the children will get places at one of their preferences.

If the schools give priority to children living within a certain distance from the school and you live within that distance it is likely your child has a good chance of getting a place. Check the information about admissions last year. That will give you a better idea as to whether you are likely to get a place.

You need to look at the booklets issued by your LA and nearby LAs. These usually give helpful info like last distance offered, if they need a SIF as part of the application process, dates for banding tests etc. If the don’t have the ones for 2020 entry last years will still be a guide. Distances change of course but not usually by masses. Also look on the admissions pages for target schools. You ideally need to have at least one school you are almost certain to get a place at on your CAF.

Re the banding tests they are just that - not academic - it is to ensure the school takes a broad spectrum of ability.

It does sometimes feel like you need a PhD in admissions- that is why those who’ve been through it in RL and on here will be happy to help.

I don't know about London Op sorry, but here are a few thoughts:

No, you don't have a choice, no one does. If people did, everyone would choose the high performing schools and no one the less successful ones.

What you can do is express a preference. Like with primaries, it's a good idea to pick somewhere v v close on your list that you should get into (look at previous offered distances to check)

Lots of secondaries are over subscribed. It doesn't mean your child won't/can't get a place. Someone has to after all. I am not in London but most of the better regarded schools in my city are oversubscribed - probs by people who live in catchment for a less popular school.

Private schools will be happy to take your money, believe me. If you want to go private and can afford it, I am sure it will happen.

Could you say whereabouts you live as people who know the area might be able to help.