Where should we move for good state secondary education?

I live in Oxfordshire. There are lots of excellent schools here (fewer in Oxford itself).

How about some parts of West Yorkshire? Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Guiseley have all got good schools. Skipton has single sex grammars but I don’t think anyone is over tutored as the comp options are good and lots choose not to them. Ilkley and Otley schools are called grammars but are non-selective.

Horsham in West Sussex has excellent comprehensive schools - particularly Millais although that is girls only. The sixth form college, Collyers, is also very good and most go on there.

On the main line to London but also nearish to the sea and some lovely open countryside. The town centre itself has some lovely parts and most places are easily walkable for teenagers/young adults.

Yeh that was my reading of it too tbh. But then I am not a fan of grammar schools so maybe my views are colouring my reading.

@shockeditellyou Still not bad as in comparison with superselectives where it is less than 1 percent. Only 1 kid got this year from our school. And it is Outstanding primary. Most even don't try at all as there is no chance. Only geniuses or kids seriously hothoused for years get in.
But here in London we do have also other good state schools as hardly anybody gets into superselective grammars.
The problem with county grammars in Kent, Bucks etc is that they impact local schools. Because almost 25 perc top performing kids are accepted at grammars then it results in the fact that the comprehensive schools are not performing very well. Not good, not good as it is social segregation.

I might have misunderstood the OPs posts but she doesn't want a grammar/selective school.
I'm not sure why so many people are recommending places with a grammar system, even if it's not 'super selective'
The OP wants recommendations for decent comps. These are likely to be places/counties where there isn't a grammar system in place.

So 3 out of every 4 kids don't get into a grammar?

Northern Ireland. Grammar system here (almost) across the board but about 40-45% of pupils go to Grammar so it’s not the super selective issue like it is in England. There are also some Grammars harder to get into with higher intakes etc and some much easier to get into. Also fantastic non-selectives which get brilliant results. There are a few schools across the country to avoid but for the most part our schools are excellent here with a high level of parental choice for larger/smaller schools, single sex/co-ed, faith/non-faith, schools strong on sport/music etc.

batshit because of?

County grammars have acceptance levels up to 24%. These are not superselective schools as grammars in London where there is 1 out of 10 or 15 acceptance level

Another vote for Hampshire. My daughters school has a top stream which is a great alternative to grammar schools. Although house prices are crazy!

Again depends on where you are in the North West but parents in this area who are trying to avoid Trafford grammars are heading to:

Lymm
Knutsford
Cheadle Hulme

As areas with strong comprehensive schools

'Utopia' in this area is Altrincham (and Sale) which offers both grammar schools and excellent high schools. But, school places are in demand and lots of families moving into the area specifically for schooling.

I'd second Cambridge (or rather a village college outside Cambridge, given that the city house prices are ludicrous). Most are good, some are fantastic, and you have multiple sixth form options.

Cambridge? I would stay away from a grammar county as it’s just batshit, frankly, the level of pressure there is to get in nowadays.

@Peewee233 not sure what part of NW you're in, but Preston has quite a few good comps (and depending on distance you could aim for Lancaster grammar too).

We are in the NW, dc at grammar in north yorks, and there seem to be quite a few good comps in the area.

If I was to move for schools, I'd probably move back to where I'm from in the south west (Worcestershire). We didn't have any state grammars and were too far out to try for Birmingham ones, so everyone went to the local comps or private.

Hampshire? Fully comp county, schools don't have 6th forms generally, instead a variety of 6th form colleges covering A levels, vocational, agricultural, mixtures.

York has plenty of excellent state schools, with catchments both inside the city and in the surrounding villages. They are all comprehensive, so you don't have the stress of 11+ but that means that high-fliers are well catered for at their local schools and aspirations are generally high - quite a few of my friends' children have gone to Oxbridge from a variety of local comprehensives, as well as other competitive destinations including US universities, degree apprenticeships etc. Housing is expensive in comparison to average income, but if you are selling a home in London/the Home Counties that's probably not an issue. I think it's a pretty great place to bring up kids, but I'm obviously biased because it's where I chose to settle.

Littleover community school
Landau Forte ((takes all abilities but there is an entrance test)
Ecclesbourne
Queen Elizabeth Grammar (not actually a grammar!)

All Derby(shire)

If you don't want London then Kent and Bucks have many county grammars. The acceptance rate is like 20 perc of the local kids.

I have DGC in the NW. They had outstanding primary school choices, their comp has worked fine for them, judging by their friendship groups and results to date. The eldest is now at a state selective sixth form college, where there is a mix of private and state pupils, and is heading for a Russell Group uni.

@Peewee233 thanks so much!

As someone looking to move nearish Oxford @Peewee233 can I ask what your old area was that had good schools/investment?

The exception was this one:
www.caistorgrammar.com/
However, I didn't send my boys as there is a huge emphasis on STEM and mine excelled in Humanities - both did very well at local state school and won Russell Group places