area in Kent

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england

That’s where you can find all the stats on schools. Generally, unless you’re Church of England or Catholic, you’re unlikely to get a decent school if your children don’t get into a grammar.

As above, you’d be better off in outer London as you can apply to a number of grammars but be in a catchment of an excellent non-selective school too. Like Petts Wood says, the borough of Bromley is good for that. Sutton would be a great option too with 5 grammars in the borough + excellent non-selective schools.

Tonbridge has a good balance of excellent schools and (I assume) much cheaper housing than Bromley or Sevenoaks.

I've worked in both Ashford and Maidstone - I concur with a PP's view that some parts of Ashford are a bit grim; I do know people who live in both and commute happily enough. Personal experience is all Tunbridge Wells as I grew up and moved back here 16 years ago after years away. DD went to TWGGS (as did I many moons ago), my niece went to Tonbridge grammar, nephew to Judd. Faith-wise, Bennett is good and there are also good non selective schools both in Tonbridge (Hill View) and outside (Uplands) TW. Commute is good when trains run on time, as with everywhere and especially if you work close to London Bridge, Charing Cross or Cannon Street.

Ashford has fast trains to London but (apologies to anyone living there!) Is a bit grim (but there may be nice parts I haven't seen). Maidstone has some nice villages on the outskirts, affordable properties and a range of shops but a very mixed demographic and problems with homelessness & drugs. Tunbridge Wells is really nice, more upmarket than either Maidstone or Ashford but the property market is more expensive. We live in Borough Green which technically is Sevenoaks but without the Sevenoaks house prices and we have access to both the Tonbridge, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells grammars, a couple of the Tonbridge States and a good local State school (Wrotham) and our own train station (48 minutes into London). The adjoining villages of Ightham, Wrotham and Platt are pretty. Tonbridge has a better range of schools than Tunbridge Wells or Maidstone (one of which my DD goes to)is further up the train line to London than TW and has affordable property. It doesn't always have a great local reputation (I've heard it called Scumbridge which is a bit unfair) but I like it although the range of shops isn't great. I know families with children at most the Maidstone, Tunbridge and Tunbridge Wells schools so if you have any particular questions about a school then happy to help!

It all depends on budget and time and cost prepared to commute. If you don’t get grammar some of the faith schools are good but generally many of the secondary moderns are not that great.

Ashford near the Station is pretty soulless but you do have the high speed link - there are pretty villages but public transport isn’t the greatest.

Sevenoaks is popular and quick commute but prices are high.

I quite like Tonbridge- fast trains and good grammars. However I know an emergency glazing person and he said Tonbridge is always on his list of places to fix smashed in windows.

Personally I love being just outside Kent in borough of Bromley with good transport links and great schools. DCs can still get to Tonbridge grammar, Weald, Bexley grammars, Dartford grammars, St Olaves and Newstead so far more choice and DCs are not being ferried around in mum’s taxi but can travel independently.