Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Help choosing area for state secondary school

32 replies

MomofSS · 24/03/2024 13:53

Hi parents

I will be moving to London soon and im having a hard time finalising which area to choose. Im supposed to select 3 boroughs to submit to my husbands company and while ive selected Kingston and Richmond, im struggling with choosing the third. Im looking for areas that have plenty of good state secondary schools for my daughter and the area is also lively and safe. My husbands work will be mostly work from home but may have some trips to bankside but we would want to prioritise on school. Ive shortlisted the following and was hoping you all could help me with your experience and pros and cons.

Ealing
Sutton
Merton (wimbledon)
Harrow

Please help this struggling mom
P.s also open to better suggestions

OP posts:
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 16:56

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 24/03/2024 16:52

Should say that will likely be the case in other boroughs too. So if you want a state school you are better off finding which ones may have places which can be done by emailing or calling the local councils.

Yes I agree with this. Long waiting lists for the outstanding secondaries in Harrow.

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 24/03/2024 16:52

Should say that will likely be the case in other boroughs too. So if you want a state school you are better off finding which ones may have places which can be done by emailing or calling the local councils.

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 24/03/2024 16:50

How old is your daughter? The outstanding state secondaries in Richmond are typically full so you would likely be offered a place at a less good school. I’m surprised if your husbands company is offering relocation advice that they are not offering to cover private school fees.

Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 16:38

ThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 14:02

I don’t think Harrow has many decent state secondaries. Plenty for private, but not state.

Where on Earth are you hearing that? So many outstanding state secondaries in the borough. Look up Nower Hill, Whitmore or Pinner High for just starters. Then there’s also Bentley Wood which is an all girls school a little further out that takes places on lottery.

you do have to live pretty close to the school to get a place though.

my personal experience is with Nower Hill which just retained its outstanding ofsted at Christmas. GCSE options cover the whole spectrum from childcare, hospitality and PE to astronomy, classical civilisation, citizenship, Latin and Ancient Greek.

Above average GCSE results generally and excellent progress 8, but the others Ive mentioned have amazing reputations too.

Original poster
MomofSS · 24/03/2024 14:06

rupertthebairn · 24/03/2024 13:59

OP, have you read some of the many past threads on this topic? They might help. The advanced search feature will help you find them.

Yess I found a lot on kingston and richmond but not much for the other boroughs

OP posts:
ThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 14:02

I don’t think Harrow has many decent state secondaries. Plenty for private, but not state.

rupertthebairn · 24/03/2024 13:59

OP, have you read some of the many past threads on this topic? They might help. The advanced search feature will help you find them.

Swipe left for the next trending thread