Bromley and Beckenham good co-ed secondary schools m

[Mumworld]

Hi,

I am looking to find a good secondary school for my son in Beckenham or Bromley as we will be moving to the area. Any advise on good schools. I am looking to get him in a diverse school.

Thanks.

I’m white but have recently been looking for schools in the Beckenham area for my son so these are some observations:

Langley Park is traditionally the sought after school in the area (single sex), but from my observation probably ess ethnically diverse than other schools in area (but it’s not homogeneously white by any stretch). It is v over subscribed so v hard to get into unless you live nearby, are looking for Y7 entry and applying within normal application window. I don’t know loads about the culture here.

Harris Beckenham is also increasingly well regarded. I’d say intake here more ethnically diverse than Langley. Also over-subscribed, perhaps not as impossible as Langley to get into outside Y7 but not easy.

Eden Park has had a bumpy few years but has new senior team in who seem v good, and facilities etc are all v new. Ethnically more mixed. Getting in outside normal Y7 entry route probably achievable.

Orchard Park a smaller school, Is ethnically mixed. Historically not the strongest reputation but improved a lot in recent years and last Ofsted very strong. School ethos has a focus on diversity. Has been undersubscribed so should be able to get a place.

There are other schools these are just the ones I know.

Thank you for such a detailed feedback on the schools, much appreciated. I will be looking to move as close to the schools as possible so hope that will help in terms of distance proximity. From some research I hadn't seen much positive reviews on Harris Academys in general so I am glad to hear that the Beckenham school is a good consideration.

Can I ask if you can kindly give me more feedback on Harris Academy. My son is very quiet and a little bit shy. From feedback online (some outdated) some seem to recommend parents to consider this school for more academic somehow confident kids. Just wondered if you would know more about the school culture and pastoral care?

I created 2 posts by mistake in case you see a similar post😬

I think Harris came in, took over a lot of schools and “brut forced” improvements which often seem to result in staff turnover and unhappiness in the early days but certainly at Harris Beckenham it seems to have settled down and be well regarded. I find the head there a bit scary, very no-nonsense, focused on good discipline. But they seem to get results.

i’m not sure if you’re thinking ahead to Y7 or want to do an in-year move but I’ve heard stories of people moving to be next door to Langley assuming a place will come up for them in year and it just not happening. People there tend to stay put!

It will be a Yr 7 move and looking to relocate to the area this summer. So location will be key, hopefully luck will be by our side and we get into either of these. Thanks again!

I’d probably look in the triangle between Eden Park High, Harris Beckenham and Langley Park and get on the waiting list for all three.

I don’t know if Harris is exceptional at pastoral care but I know quieter children who have thrived at Harris. One thing I like there is they have lots of lunchtime clubs which is good for developing friendships.

For culture and pastoral though I’d look at Orchard Park, that seems to be one of their strengths, plus being smaller. It’s not on a lot of people’s radars but have a look at their prospectus and Ofsted and see what you think.

Can't thank you enough for your kind feedback on this!

Both my DC went to Hayes School and did really well there.

Thank you for your response! Hayes definitely seems a great school.