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How to choose between these grammar schools and nearby family areas?

83 replies

L186 · 16/03/2026 16:47

According to your experience and knowledge, how will/did you choose from the following grammar schools if your DS qualified for them? also considering if the surrounding areas are safe, convenient and nice to live for families. Moving nearby to the school is one of the idea in the near future; it’s also one of the important elements to result the final decision. I’m sure all the schools are fantastic in different criteria. The matter is down to which one fits the child and family the best.

Offering OOC places with enough scores:

  • Dartford Grammar school,
  • The Judd School,
  • Sutton Grammar School,
  • Wallington county grammar school,
  • Colchester Royal Grammar school,
  • Westcliff high school for boys,

Need to move into their designated areas:

  • The Latymer school,
  • King Edward VI grammar school Chelmsford,

Any thoughts, facts, experiences and opinions are welcome.

OP posts:
redskyAtNigh · 17/03/2026 11:56

Echoing PP - do not assume you will get a place from a waiting list and, if you do, you may be waiting until close to September to be sure of a place. Do you really want months of uncertainty and having to postpone moving until last minute?

Just accept the place you've been offered unless you really dislike it.

LIZS · 17/03/2026 11:53

I would not be so sure of waiting lists especially for those with limited ooc spaces. Presumably you got a place at one of those you listed higher. Maybe you should stick with that rather than gamble.

L186 · 17/03/2026 11:44

Thanks all for your responses and questions.
Maybe I should have mention some background of us:

We work and live in central London, both with international background, only started living in the UK from studying Master and above degrees. We knew little about the UK system below university, sent our only DS to a local state primary rating Good, although disappointed by the quality of education and some kids’ behaviours, DS is happy there and has friends from all over the world as it’s a very diverse school.
After the pandemic, we considered relocating out of central London to somewhere that is a bit easier to afford a house with nice gardens as WFH is common, but don’t know where to move to. Had a look of some house all over the place, still no idea.
Since DS will move to secondary and we saw his school reports say his very capable academically with great death in both Maths and English reading, we started to think maybe it’s wise to choose where to move to depending on his future school.
There is almost no homework from his primary school, so he had plenty of time to participate in many different clubs (sports, art, music), charities and activities after school time. He’s very energetic, sociable and has many interests, particularly love sports and reading books.
The private school fees are too high and not worth it, the only decent comprehensive secondary here with rigorous discipline is on the boarder of catchment from us, so that’s our backup option, if we are not moving or no success in the 11+.
As I said, we want to move after the primary time to avoid upheaval, and don’t want to make the exams a huge pressure or must for DS, so we only want to consider those schools that don’t restrict where we are living now. After some research, state secondary schools are mainly offering space based on your current address, only a few grammar schools are offering all or partial spaces regardless of your address. So we shortlisted some around London.
Unexpectedly, DS has passed exams for these schools with good scores after a few months of studying on 11+ curriculum once a week in an extra class and he was very much enjoyed study with mind-liked peers in a non disruptive environment. He sat different style of the 11+ exams although only studied the GL version. He said he preferred to attend exams rather than go to school as he could learn more from the exams. So we let him.
We kind of randomly put some top grammar schools that he’s eligible on the SCAF (haven’t even visited all these schools), thinking to see which ones he can be offered then decide where to move to… Now, we have received an offer of one of these, but still have a chance to change our preferences (as he’s likely to be offered via any of the waiting list if there is any space becomes available), so thinking to seeking some advice of schools and especially areas for relocation.
Many thanks.

OP posts:
ApricotRow · 17/03/2026 09:24

@LIZS possibly I still can’t believe that many people make their kids sit all those exams. That must be at least 4 different 11+ areas ?

@L186do you only have one child? If not I would look very closely at the state schools in those areas too.

LIZS · 17/03/2026 09:03

ApricotRow · 17/03/2026 08:50

I can’t work out where on earth you could possibly live to be commutable to all of those.

Presumably the idea is to sit several exams and move later once scores are out.

redskyAtNigh · 17/03/2026 08:58

Don't move to live near a grammar school unless there is a Plan B for your child not passing the 11+

(and on a more practical note, I'd suggest asking MN to edit the title to include the school names/ areas and you might get some help from people who actually know the schools).

ApricotRow · 17/03/2026 08:50

I can’t work out where on earth you could possibly live to be commutable to all of those.

ACynicalDad · 17/03/2026 08:40

Grammars can suck the life out of local comps. I’d make sure the local comp was good enough incase 11+ doesn’t give you the desired outcome. Our grammars are decent, our comps appalling, one kid down, second to go and it’s a bit scary to be honest.