can anyone tell me the top secondary state schools in north London?

[cheapandchic]

I keep hearing that secondary schools in my area are not good and we may have to go private.

Are there any great schools that my daughters might excel at? Do you have to live very close to them as is the case with the primary schools?
Any C of E secondary schools someone can recommend?

Latymer does NOT have a catchment - it is purely selective.

I thought that latymer did have a cut off distance. I thought you had to be able to get there within a certain time by using the TFL website (think it was within an hour) maybe it has changed but a friend had to send this information when she applied 4 years ago.

donnie - Latymer does have a postcode criterion for admissions. Their website states that if you live outside the postcodes listed (and don't produce evidence of intention to move into the area) your child will only be tested if they are under-subscribed.