London secondary's

Why do I think London was great for teens?

Brilliant public transport, gives them so much independence and freedom.

Opportunities. A free music project run by professional musicians, with access to recoding studios: so much stuff like this, for every style of music. Or Youth Theatres. Or dance groups.

So much free stuff to do, that they could take themselves to. Museums and galleries. Free talks at hospitals or Unis or The Wellcome Collection for those wanting to broaden their STEM knowledge or interest.

At least 4 skate parks within east reach of our house.

Excellent parks. Lidos.

I know these things are everywhere but there is such a range, mass and choice in London.

Scouts (etc) groups within walking distance. I know scouts groups are everywhere but my nephews had to be driven to theirs.

Dense housing = tight catchments = friends within walking distance and close knit community.

I live in a very non-leafy borough and area but both the schools my Dc attended were ‘Outstanding’

Not unusual: there is some statistic like a higher % of children are in Outstanding schools in London than anywhere else.

And on average London schools perform higher than the national average in achievement.

This was very true if my Dc schools.

Despite both having a high % of FSM, pupil premium and every other index of disadvantage.

There were kids in the schools involved in gang activity. Of course there were, there are estates where gang activity takes place within half a mile of where we live.

But just like my kids are not involved in that out of school, it didn’t affect them in school.

It was very easy to stay well away from the groups that are involved.

Those groups were not responsible for the (few) bullies, either.

Both schools were happy places, with a very mixed demography in all ways. Great relationship with diversity. The overwhelming majority of kids getting in with their education and lives and doing well.

The independent schools have kids with parents who are very tolerant of their weed and cocaine habits, and this happens out of London too.

My kids and their friends are generally at good Unis doing law and medicine and STEM and vet science and architecture etc etc.

I couldn’t be more pleased that my boys grew up with everything that London has to offer.

I did feel a bit nervous when they were in KS1 though. Soon wore off.

I live in Rotherham. Nil worries local school is fine. 2k kids. Was previously outstanding then it went to special measures to go into an academy. Its fine. Offer day is Monday. I'm more anxious about bullying than gangs? However she can give it back so not concerned.
As for outside school loads to do she has a bike and lots of trans penine trails. I live more barnsley than Rotherham. If you own in London you can buy for like 400k in posh end of Sheffield where all the big posh schools are.

I think a fair few parents (often ones whose DC are headed for private schools anyway) who add fuel to the fire about how terrible London schools are (without really having a clue other than some 'random' chance encounters on public transport that have coloured their judgement).

And there may not be gangs at some of the outstanding schools (and private ones) but there will be 'bad eggs' wherever your DC go to school. They will just present differently.

ilkleymoorbartat....As you said it's really just fear partly caused by the scaremongering on various news outlets. Securing a good school for your child should be your main priority not you worrying about gangs. If you so happen to find the school of your dreams in the suburbs then by all means move but don't let anyone scare you.

NB: the suburbs in any country will always be safer than it's city

You'll be fine as long as your child has good supportive parents around.

To give you a quick info about me, I grew up around the then notorious Broadwater farm estate in Tottenham and pretty much every single one of my close friends lived either in the estate or very close to the estate and we all came out fine. Some attended Grammar schools like I did whilst others attended the comprehensives around that area which bar a couple were good. The two failing ones were closed and rebranded as academies and they are doing well now.

As I said earlier, my group of friends all came out fine and working really good jobs. The thing we all had in common was good supportive and involved parents. I did not even realise how bad it was till I moved away from the area. I still have friends and family members still living and raising kids in that area and the kids are thriving as far as I can see(a medical student and a final year Imperial student amongst the rank).

Most Teens are good kids it's just the very few bad eggs amongst them causing trouble.

I am in this position with no chance of moving although all the secondary’s say good or outstanding they’re far from it In reality I’m terrified my secondary school experience was hellish (same area) and I’m not looking forward to my sons he’s only in year 2 so I’m hoping there’s time for the local schools to improve.

I think there's the intra-gangs crime (which doesn't really impact on other young people) and the gang crime which revolves around the theft of valuable 'street value' items (think latest phones, trainers and the like) from other young people.

It's really about being reasonably street-smart, not flaunting expensive items around, and just keeping your head down.

For those with older children in London does the ever present noise about knife crime etc affect how your children live day to day?

Not at all. No more than it does me. He sees friends, hangs out in gentrified area with them or their houses.

I think it might vary though by area

Just want to second what Stokey said. London is fab for families, despite challenges (expense, space, noise, air quality . . ). If a child has engaged supportive family then the gang threat is grossly overrated . . . it's the neglected, disengaged or abused kids who are at risk. Vast majority of state schools and their teachers are fantastic, as are vast majority of their intake . . . Ethnic diversity a huge plus.
I grew up in depths of countryside and, yes, for teenagers the isolation, long school commute and utter dependence on parents as chauffeur is grim, and I would say damaging. You waste your college years hopelessly trying to catch up on social life . . . Not to mention work experience.

Lots depends on the school - we live in Zone 2. I think we were in the catchment for 8 secondaries. They were all incredibly different, but of the 8, I was really happy about 3, vaguely okay with another 3 and no-way about the final 2. One of those 2 was because of gang issues/ bullying, etc. The other because it was absurdly strict! The comp they ended up at was fab. That had a hugely mixed intake and I honestly can't imagine anyone bought a house close by to get in. They had zero tolerance in terms of bullying and put a huge emphasis on being kind and part of the community. I'd bet there were kids there in gangs, but no sign of it in the school. My two did really well there and made lovely friends. A lot of London schools are brilliant, but definitely do your research!

However London is very varied, so that’s not to dismiss other people’s experiences

And more likely to meet a family that bought a house at extortionate price to get in school than a gang.

I grew up rurally (but went to boarding school in a town) and seeing teen dc in London makes me really boggle at opportunities he has right here. It’s been a good thing. His friends are nice no problem, good interests etc

No, I don't worry about them in school

And they're fine.

It's outside school that worries me more about encountering or joining gangs

I think it was me who said that. Obviously in normal times rather than at present, you have access to such an amazing amount is things, gigs, theatre, galleries, whatever you're into. Also you have great public transport and the ability to get around the city freely and easily hang out with your friends. A big school means there are lots of different types of people so more chance of finding your tribe. I've never lived in the country, but friends who have talk about having to be ferried by their parents and having long commutes to get to school or see their friends. Personally I think the country is great with younger kids but not as good for teenagers. I'm sure there will be loads of people who disagree though, and obviously nothing is as black and white.

I am in zone 3 and our two local state secondaries are outstanding, you need to remember that you can apply to grammar schools and other schools who do banding assessments that are not private, I think London has alot of options for kids, you need to start your research now and look at option

Depends where you are

Secondary in zone 2 very sought after and people move into tiny catchment with high house prices to get in

But a bit further out and flip side with people moving to avoid but is changing a bit recently

It definitely stresses me out but mainly because I have boys. I am not sure why thats the case, but I feel a lot more concerned and boy school dont seem to perform as well as girl ones in London. I went to a local London comp as did my sister and academically we did really really well but as @Chollok mentioned it, I wouldnt want my boys to go through the same. Not sure what we'll be doing about it now - currently both DCs are in primary school and am very concerned that where we live in SELondon there arent many good secondaries. We may move but am not ready for suburbia - so yep am stressed

Mine are three and I'm already worrying about it!