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Original poster

Best London state secondary school in your opinion?

208 replies

Simplegal · 29/07/2023 20:13

I’m overwhelmed with school choices for a Year 10 entry for my DD into an Co-Ed state secondary school. We have a last minute, frantic move to London from abroad and looking for entry for my DD. Somewhere within 30-60 mins travel to Canary Wharf? Open to faith schools as she has been in a traditional catholic school previously. We haven’t even started the accommodation hunt just focusing on schools first! Please comment if you love your school! Thank you!

OP posts:
Clymene · 29/07/2023 22:48

It's completely different.

Do you understand anything about the English school system? All children must stay in school and take GCSEs. It's compulsory.

Very, very few children change schools at the start of year 10 because they choose which GCSEs they want to take in year 9. The school timetable is planned around those choices.

At the end of year 11, post-GCSEs, there is a huge amount of movement. Not all schools offer A levels, and most offer a limited number. A lot of kids choose to do the Ibac or an apprenticeship or btecs instead.

But as a pp said, if your daughter doesn't have GCSEs, it's going to be very difficult for them to ascertain if she is academically able to do the courses

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:43

Thank you!

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MutantTurtles · 29/07/2023 22:43

HarrietJet · 29/07/2023 22:28

This will make zero difference.

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No it won't!

Some schools such Burntwood have fantastic outcomes for non English speakers joining in year 10

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:42

Sounds equally as challenging.

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SouthernFashionista · 29/07/2023 22:40

Ursuline in Wimbledon is a good shot, along with La Retraite in Clapham and The Holy Cross in New Malden. If paying is an option Marymount in Kingston/Coombe is wonderful.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:40

So sixth form entry will reliant upon grades?

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elderflowerandpomelo · 29/07/2023 22:33

Sixth form is waaay easier. Tho you may need an address, there are scads of options if her grades are good. You need to apply from Sept/Oct for popular ones tho - if you were looking now for this Sept your choices would be limited.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:31

Thank you will
look at this school!

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StillWantingADog · 29/07/2023 22:30

Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:29

It’s a logistical nightmare. Is a sixth form entry easier or just as difficult?

Yes because there will be a lot of movement. Also places won’t be confirmed until after GCSE results in mid august

that said if your daughter doesn’t sit GCSEs I have no idea how that works. But must be possible.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:29

It’s a logistical nightmare. Is a sixth form entry easier or just as difficult?

OP posts:
DaisyThistle · 29/07/2023 22:28

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 21:19

Do you know many teenagers in Whitechapel? That's quite a judgement.

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DS lives in Whitechapel and has since his late teens. He says it feels very safe because it's a largely Muslim area where he is, so there aren't that many drunks out at night.

HarrietJet · 29/07/2023 22:28

Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:26

First language is English but not UK born and bred.

This will make zero difference.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:28

Change of timing is a possibility.

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Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:26

First language is English but not UK born and bred.

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StillWantingADog · 29/07/2023 22:24

the thing is if you find a school with say on space it can’t be held for you until you are able to apply for the place formally and you can’t do that until you have a uk address (that will need to be within catchment or fairly close to the school). Presuming that all takes a few weeks, someone could easily have snapped that space up in the interim

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:23

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:22

Thank you. She is fourteen and turning fifteen later in the year.

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Clymene · 29/07/2023 22:22

Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:14

Yes and the subject choices she wants too.

A great school with the GCSE options your daughter wants to do is camel through the eye of a needle stuff.

Do you have to move to the U.K. now?

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:20

Thank you!

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sleepwhenidie · 29/07/2023 22:20

Marylebone School for Girls is excellent and 80% selected on faith basis but as the name suggests, it is single sex. You apply directly to the school in this case.

Needmorelego · 29/07/2023 22:18

@GonnaGetGoingReturns sorry I don’t understand what you mean. All I was pointing out is that Kingsdale is a Comprehensive school with 10% of place (I think) for those with a skill in music or sports (and the OPs daughter doesn’t need to have any musical skills to attend).
What do you mean by “it’s not a competition”?

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:18

Yes it sounds like a nightmare. I’m not sure it’s going to work at all.

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BlackberrySky · 29/07/2023 22:17

Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:16

Yes it’s not ideal is it.

Understatement of the year!

BlackberrySky · 29/07/2023 22:16

Moving to the UK from abroad and trying to get a state school place is very difficult, and Year 10 is probably the most difficult year to enter for reasons PP have said. You can't get a place until you have a local address. This is why many families moving to the UK end up going private, because private school don't have this restriction. Also bear in mind that your DD may not be able to do all the GCSE subjects she wants if the classes are full - they will have been allocated in the June of Y9.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 22:16

Yes it’s not ideal is it.

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