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Original poster

Where is a strategic place to move to in south London for secondary options

115 replies

LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 17:39

We're currently in Purley (Croydon Borough) and will have outgrown our home in a couple of years; right about the time we'll be picking a secondary for our DD (our DS will be a couple of years behind).

We're trying to assess where is not completely bonkers financially yet is well placed for single sex (one for DD and DD) or coed options.

From our current location in Purley, we'd maybe (catchment has narrowed)) get into coed Riddlesdown Collegiate which seems fairly well respected, "outstanding" but is placed at 866 academically by Locrating and is quite a large school. Yet last year we would have been one street out so not certain by any means.

By comparison, Wallington girls (Sutton borough), is no. 192 and Wilsons (also Sutton borough) no.13 we could just about drive to (would be a pain of a commute though.)

We would still (I think) be included in the Sutton Grammar catchment from where we are, but I'm wondering is there somewhere else - Kingston perhaps - that would be more strategic to move to that would offer us some coed state options that are well regarded (Eg Grey Court School, up at no.335) as a back up but leaves the grammar option open, eg. Tiffin? The Croydon borough is also really struggling with a failed transformation of the town centre, a bankrupt council and crime that makes the headlines - so growth on a property here is smaller than almost everywhere in London meaning that gap will only widen if we delay moving for a few years.

Kingston is much pricier than Purley - but it's not as costly as missing out on a decent school and feeling compelled to go Independent (which it would be a real struggle to afford for two kids). Would that be a good location for multiple school options? Where else? Feel like I've scoured every league table and catchment map and now can't see the wood for the trees!

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Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 04/02/2024 08:15

Are you in catchment for Woodcote?

Depending where you are in Purley you could maybe do Greenshaw in Sutton - 11 plus places don't have catchment. Bit of a journey but could get 127 from Purley centre and walk. Some of my daughter's friends come from far side of Croydon.

I think there is also a school time only bus that comes from Riddlesdown area to the Wallington grammars.

Also don't forget catchment areas I think are offer day - so may well be a little larger in reality.

fonfusedm · 04/02/2024 08:14

And to echo other posters the grammars are ridiculously competitive. I know people who start tutoring from yr 2 & one friend put their dcs name down on a 2 yr waiting list in yr 2 for a tutor. Have a look at what some of the tutoring programmes offer, it’s crazy intense.

fonfusedm · 04/02/2024 08:10

But as a principal - starting with a nice place to live, whatever that means to that person, and then positioning yourself for schools in that specific area is probably a good approach.

Not always true as many people in very nice areas go private particularly at secondary.

fonfusedm · 04/02/2024 08:08

I think parts of Worcester Park are in catchment for both Tiffin and the other two Sutton Grammars.

yes it is with some priority postcodes for 2 of the Sutton ones. There is also some good catholic schools nearby & there is another state school that has a streamed set you could try for.

Kingston has others have said is a good option but it’s quite far to the Sutton grammars imo.

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 04/02/2024 08:02

Thanks @Dontwish. Looking at that one too.

One website gave a good analogy of the difference between progress and exam results.

"It's important to not confuse exam results with pupil progress.
As an analogy, think of two mountain climbers. One starts at the bottom and progresses half way up. The other starts a third of the way up and progresses another third. So, the second progressed less up the mountain (one third compared to one half) but ended up higher (two thirds compared to one half). An exam result shows how high up the mountain a pupil finished, whereas a progress score shows how much of the mountain they climbed."

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Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 04/02/2024 08:00

@Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit

That's pretty solid advice. A good area is pretty subjective too though right? Especially when it comes to London. For example, instinctively, most people who don't live in the borough of Croydon wouldn't say it's good place, but it varies massively across the borough (eg Coulsdon, Purley and Sanderstead vs West Croydon).

If you use measures like crime rate, the borough of Sutton comes out as one of the safest, but I've not heard many people shout about Sutton, Wallington, Rose Hill as a great place to be.

But as a principal - starting with a nice place to live, whatever that means to that person, and then positioning yourself for schools in that specific area is probably a good approach. Smile

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Dontwish · 04/02/2024 07:23

Look at progress 8 or whatever it’s called these days as a measure if you’re looking across selective and non-selective. Gives a better idea and comparison of the quality of the school & teaching.

Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 04/02/2024 07:17

I guess really the only way you can find a good school is to live in a "good" area. Because schools reflect the places they are in of course. Many students do very well in schools that are rated poor or even requires improvement. I did read some interesting research that showed if all variables are adjusted for there is no difference in exam grades gained across all schools in all of ofsteds catagories. So it seemed to show that the exam grades are about the student not the school which I have always suspected.

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 22:54

@Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit

Thank you. I actually agree with everything you're saying here.

I guess I'm a planner, and if I take the mindset that results are largely down to a cohort that year (although I'm looking across multiple years - so that should account for that) or because of a socio economic makeup of an area, then other than gut feel when I see a school...what is there to use as part of the process if not some of the data?

Appreciate your point on the grammars for sure, and by no means set on them.

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Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 03/02/2024 22:45

No one could say you aren't planning ahead. I'm not sure though about how you are judging schools. In my experience these league table things are really neither accurate nor helpful. Schools get good academic results if the students in that year cohort are academically able and well-motivated which aren't things schools have much or any control over. I know this is considered an outlier opinion by most parents.
Grammar schools are such a con I think, they take only children who study hard and do well in exams at 11 years old and unsurprisingly they get good, although not outstanding exam results.
I am not saying all schools are the same though but you will need to visit them and see if your child will fit in with them.
And state schools can change their character so much depending on the leadership team. Or if the catchment area changes. Which can happen very fast in London.
But I have to say I'm impressed by how much you care and the effort you are putting in.

BrondesburyBelle · 03/02/2024 22:38

I was going to say look at Langley Park and Hayes schools but someone else got there first

HardcoreLadyType · 03/02/2024 22:37

Bickley. You get the two Bullers Wood schools, or Bishops Justice, and your children could sit for Newstead (girls) or St Olaves (boys), which are easily reachable by public transport.

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 22:32

@DoThePropeller thank you. I'll look into those.

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DoThePropeller · 03/02/2024 22:13

Ewell side of Epsom, Rosebery for girls and Glyn for boys, Nonsuch (grammar) and Sutton Grammar both good commutes.

If you go to church, St Bede’s Redhill (mixed) and live Reigate way.

12345change · 03/02/2024 22:09

@Fiddlersgreen I’ve heard that about Teddington about 10 years ago.. stories about very middle class children given lots of money by parents who are too busy to notice what their children are up to getting involved in drugs and alcohol etc.. all rumours and speculation etc. but not heard that about Grey court.. interesting

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 22:08

@Fiddlersgreen interesting to hear. I'll look into that. Thank you

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Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 22:07

@12345change thank helpful. North Kingston does seem to be strong base to apply from (as well as a nice area of London)

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Fiddlersgreen · 03/02/2024 22:06

Teddington and Grey Court have terrible reputations for drugs and bullying. Or at least they did when looking at schools for my son 6 years ago.

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 22:04

@beztees naive? About what? I'm just asking questions... what an odd thing to say

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12345change · 03/02/2024 22:04

If your looking at Kingston you would really need to be either Surbiton or North Kingston… as central Kingston and parts of Norbiton seem to be no man’s land and children end up at Hollyfield school which is not that popular. Although it has made great improvements in the past 5-10 years its last Ofsted was good.

beztees · 03/02/2024 22:02

LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 21:52

@beztees - bizarre question. No, i was born in London and have lived here my whole life. Why?

Just because you seem a little naive.

No worries. Good luck!

12345change · 03/02/2024 21:56

It really depends on your budget and personal preferences… North Kingston is great but then so are parts of Wimbledon, Richmond, Worcester Park etc. all which will probably fulfill your requirements. Best to pick an area and then come back and ask for views on particular schools in that area.

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 21:52

@beztees - bizarre question. No, i was born in London and have lived here my whole life. Why?

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beztees · 03/02/2024 21:50

@LDNmeetsSurrey if you don't mind me asking, are you quite new to the UK?

Original poster
LDNmeetsSurrey · 03/02/2024 21:40

@Trickleg yes, the putter area does and goes even further (mitcham). Thanks - have had a look there already

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