Searching for secondary schools in south london

[Turtletales]

So it is finally upon me, my newborns will be starting year 7 next year and I'm having serious anxiety about what school to choose, so I'm looking for a little bit of advice from all you more experienced mummas.

1. How do your dc travel to school, one bus/train or more?
2. How far away from home is school?
3. What do I look for on open days?
4. Do primaries give allowance for year 6 to attend open days?

I have picked at least 3 schools that I feel would suit my dc and are good schools, but to me it feels like alot of travelling and I don't really want them having around at bus stops after school.
So wise women of mumsnet, please help.

Fellow South Londoner here, with a new year 7.
In answer to your questions.

1. we've been giving DS lifts to school, but that's because OH has the time. Otherwise, he will need to get the bus. It's 1-2 busses, depending on lazyness and is 20 minutes on the bus, allowing for traffic.

2. school is about 2 miles away, but that's because of the school we chose (religious). There are schools that are closed.

3. we had an online open day, which told us nothing! Other parents and DS teachers told us the school we had picked has a good reputation, so we just went with that. A tip from me is to drive past the school at kicking out time and see what the children behaviour is like, as that will give you some indication as to school standards.

4. yes, but many schools had evening sessions last year. Some children did get to go to inductions after they had been offered places.

In our primary, our year 6s got accepted into about 15-20 secondary schools, so there were only a couple of children going to each school. DS doesn't have anyone going to his school who lives near us.

Thank you @purpledagger

Sorry posted too soon.

I live just on the edge of the congestion zone and two of the schools that I like are in it so driving them wouldn't be feasible, although I could drop them to one bus stop which then means they would only have to get one bus.

Their feeder school which is literally across the road from their primary isn't bad and its likely most of their friends will be applying for to go there, so I feel like I should at least put it down as they will know people there already, but at the same time it isn't the best option.

If you don't mind what area are you in?

I would recommend being realistic about where you will probably get a place. Most schools will be on distance, some on faith or ability and a few on lotteries. It is of course fine to put some long shots on the form but you want at least one sure bet too. Once you have a list of schools you have a good chance of a place at and a couple of 'if we're lucky' ones, then you can look at open days. Lots of pupils in London do have a fair commute on buses and tubes though, especially for the most popular schools.

Oh i know I have to be realistic I live pretty much in the middle of 2 schools within walking distance and there is not a chance they will be going to them.
The rest of the schools on my list and also the feeder school are again all pretty much one or two buses away and not because they're far but because where we live, although there are good transport links we live off the main road so they'll either have to walk through the estate and then only get one bus.

Also, don't be disheartened if you don't get your first choice. There can be lots of movement between offer day and starting secondary school.