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Secondary education

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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:
Needmorelego · 29/07/2023 21:26

You don’t need to be musical to attend Kingsdale. It’s a comprehensive school.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 29/07/2023 21:23

Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:21

Thank you though her musical ability is limited to singing along to her favourite songs! Doesn’t play an instrument.

Rules out Kingsdale then if no musical instrument!

Needmorelego · 29/07/2023 21:23

You should also look at Colleges because some do 14-16 schemes and UTCs (University Technical Colleges) which start at Year 10. Usually STEM based.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 29/07/2023 21:23

If you want Catholic there was a thread a while ago on good ones here. La Retraite in Clapham is good and I’ve known relatives snd friends go there and do well.

Happygerbil · 29/07/2023 21:22

Would you consider moving outside of London? Lots of excellent state schools in towns within 30-45 min commute of the City/canary wharf. Cheaper housing too.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:21

Thank you though her musical ability is limited to singing along to her favourite songs! Doesn’t play an instrument.

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 21:19

EmpressoftheMundane · 29/07/2023 21:13

Woodford is leafy and feels “safe” for teenagers to be out and about after dark. Living in Whitechapel, not so much.

You need to consider not just the school, but the neighbourhood for your family.

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

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:18

Totally agree. Leafy and safe is exactly what I’m after in a neighbourhood.

OP posts:
Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:17

I’m realising the timing is terrible
to try and rush this through. I have tried calling and emailing a few schools but no answer/reply. When do office staff usually head back into schools?

OP posts:
GonnaGetGoingReturns · 29/07/2023 21:16

Kingsdale in West Norwood/Dulwich is good if they’re musical.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 29/07/2023 21:15

Thisismynewusername1 · 29/07/2023 21:08

there’s St ursula’s in Greenwich.

Coloma in Croydon also has an excellent reputation.

however it is going to depend on whether there is a place. The “best” schools are oversubscribed obviously.

st Ursula’s last time I looked was so oversubscribed it came down to how catholic you were. If you weren’t baptised within 6 months of birth, had done your FHC at the correct time, and had a letter of recommendation from your parish priest confirming weekly attendance at mass you had no chance.

Coloma apparently hard to get into. It’s more Purley than Croydon too. Best friend went there years ago.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:14

Thank you for these options! She was baptised at one month old and has done her FHC including Sunday school for six months prior!

OP posts:
EmpressoftheMundane · 29/07/2023 21:13

Woodford is leafy and feels “safe” for teenagers to be out and about after dark. Living in Whitechapel, not so much.

You need to consider not just the school, but the neighbourhood for your family.

PatriciaHolm · 29/07/2023 21:12

Your problem at this point in the year may be simply getting hold of the relevant people. The majority of secondaries will be their own admissions authorities, and as such may or may not organise their own in year admissions. Graveney outsource to Wandsworth, for example, but cardinal wiseman do their own. For those that do their own, there may not be anyone at work at the moment in the holidays so you may not be able to find out whether they have spaces.

Once you have an address, the LA will have an obligation to find you a space somewhere.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:11

Thank you so much! Will look into this school!

OP posts:
Thisismynewusername1 · 29/07/2023 21:08

there’s St ursula’s in Greenwich.

Coloma in Croydon also has an excellent reputation.

however it is going to depend on whether there is a place. The “best” schools are oversubscribed obviously.

st Ursula’s last time I looked was so oversubscribed it came down to how catholic you were. If you weren’t baptised within 6 months of birth, had done your FHC at the correct time, and had a letter of recommendation from your parish priest confirming weekly attendance at mass you had no chance.

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 21:02

Look at Swanlea School in Whitechapel. It's outstanding and ranked as the 2nd best secondary in Tower Hamlets.

https://snobe.co.uk/schools/swanlea-school/rankings#:~:text=School%20ranks%20nearly%2020%2C000%2B%20schools,ranking%20%232%20in%20Tower%20Hamlets.

Whitechapel is 1 stop on the Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf (or a 10 min drive).

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 21:02

Thank you! Will put that one on my contact list!

OP posts:
MutantTurtles · 29/07/2023 21:00

SquirmOfEels · 29/07/2023 20:50

You could try moving v close to Graveney in Tooting.

Not sure what school you'd be offered if you moved there but Graveney was too full to accommodate an more at all

Easy tube commute (one change)

Graveney has an academic stream by test entry

lavenderlou · 29/07/2023 20:58

I have friends whose DC went to Trinity school (Catholic) in Redbridge and they were happy with it. It's been a couple of years since the left though. Woodford is a pretty easy journey to Canary Wharf.

Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 20:54

Thank you I will look into that suggestion.

OP posts:
Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 20:52

I’m sure that will be the case. I need to narrow down which suburbs first.

OP posts:
Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 20:51

DD is catholic.

OP posts:
Original poster
Simplegal · 29/07/2023 20:50

That will be my next step once I have a few options. I’m sure places will be limited and need accommodation within catchment areas.

OP posts:
SquirmOfEels · 29/07/2023 20:50

You could try moving v close to Graveney in Tooting.

Not sure what school you'd be offered if you moved there but Graveney was too full to accommodate an more at all

Easy tube commute (one change)

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