Choosing local comp over private or grammar

Sorry, posting again. One of the things we were able to do alongside the comprehensive education was foster our children’s extra-curricular interests at a high level outside school - at county / club / specialist level. We had time, funds and inclination to do this, and good local provision for a wide range of sport / creative fields. It has given the DC experiences, confidence, wide peer groups and ambitions that did not necessarily cone from their schooling alone.

This is something that is often provided ‘under one roof’ at private schools, and for different families that ‘one stop shop’ may be a really attractive option for a variety of reasons.

Yes we did. We actively chose the local comp over highly selective private options in our area (not a grammar area). I went to a similar private secondary school, and DH was at grammar, so private was very much on the table. But after looking at all options we felt that the local state secondary was the best choice for our DS. I totally understand where your question is coming from as I was really nervous about making that choice, worried that I was denying them the "best" experience, especially for academically very able children. It felt risky as state secondary was unfamiliar to both of us, and the school was very new, but it has been fantastic. I feel very fortunate to have had that option, and am so glad we made that choice. Two DCs there now and thriving.

Echo what other posters have said though - it totally depends on the individual child and the individual schools. And bear in mind that rumour and reputation so often don't reflect the reality of a school - try to talk to families that are actually at the schools you eventually consider.

@Jujujuly I work in the area and we looked at Walthamstow School for Girls for my daughter with an EHCP but we're not local. I don't know much about the schools down your way aside from the girls school and at one point in time we took my daughter to the dyslexia centre after school that's based at Frederick Bremmer. Nothing really aside from that I'm afraid.

The presence of grammar schools can, I agree, be a really complicating factor for the presence and peer group of able children.

It’s worth looking at the DfE ‘Compare Schools’ tool to compare numbers and progress of able pupils in different schools. If the number is very small compared to the size of the intake, which can happen in ‘full’ grammar areas like Kent, then that will affect your child’s experience more than if the ratios of the difference abilities is broadly ‘average’, in line with fully comprehensive areas.

As I say, we were really lucky given the nature of the comprehensives / grammars / private schools locally.

That area is going through so much change In would stay put. Even in a really good state it is a lucky dip what year group your child ends up and what staff will be working there at the time. Imho it's not worth moving for any school at the moment, with how the education system is looking. There is so much uncertainty about teacher availablity and I don't think house prices will be that reliant on school catchments anymore. I just wouldn't risk it, there is a crisis in education now, in all sectors, let alone once your child is in secondary school. If you have the opportunity to have a comfortable life now, put away enough away to have a small mortgage and have the ability to help your child or get tutors, I would do that.
However, the Essex grammars have no catchment, tons of kids every morning at Stratford station going towards Chelmsford.

If you're not already in a grammar area, I wouldn't move into one until your child is at least in Y4 and you've got a good idea of ability. Grammars tend to suck up the more able kids in the area and the comps are left with the rest. Although London has so many schools it doesn't really feel like that so may not be relevant to you.
I would choose whatever options allows you the most financial freedom as well as time for your child. Home life is the single biggest deciding factor on attainment.

No grammar school here.
We chose the comp rather than either of the private schools that are a simlar distance away (indeed, the catchment comp is the furthest away of the 3 schools).
Kids both thriving currently. We will see what GCSE's bring, but no regrets so far.

Yes, though the comp in question is a very good one. Both there 11-16. One stayed for 6th form, other moved to a different school for A levels.

Both at very selective higher education institutions for their specific interests - one high level academic, one creative.

It felt high risk at some points, and we have had to deal with commentary from family and friends, especially earlier on when their ‘future success’ was not yet obvious.

It does depend critically on the individual schools, rather than the sectors, though - for the specific comp/grammars/ privates local to us, it made sense. In another area, for different schools - very possibly not.

We chose to move out of a Grammar area to a fully comprehensive area with a school offering both GCSEs and BTEC. DD is only year 7, but really happy with the decision... especially as she suddenly took off in Yr6 and is now in the top stream. The school genuinely caters fir all abilities.

We are no where near London though. Lot less of a post code lottery.