Going round in circles trying to find the right school for the next stage

[mwamwa]

DS at primary school aged 8. I know I am probably getting my knickers in a twist too early and I know I have talked about this on other threads, but... living in Wandsworth, what other schools could I look at (other than Emanuel) in the independent sector for secondary school? He is a great kid but not the brightest of the bunch and I am stressing out (stupidly) now about whether he would actually pass an 11+ exam. Or state schools....other than the infamous mention Ernest Bevin.

I take it you are too far away from Graveney? The Dulwich schools have a bus service that runs through Wandsworth, but I gather that they are extremely selective.

Thats just it - the Dulwich schools are really selective and very competitive. Don't know much about Graveney...will investigate. Have a feeling you have to get 99% in the Wandsworth test though?

You've been very helpful batters, thank u.

mwmama I know there is a fairly thriving house swap process going on down near Graveney.....though the ethics I suppose are a bit dubious?

Yes I have heard about that! Infact a family in our street rented a property near to Graveney just for that purpose.

We're in Merton but my neighbour's son is at Graveney and they're thrilled with it. Also, ADT gets rave reviews where we are.

What's the new St Cecilia's like?

Have you looked at Ibstock Place (or is it Park) for independent?

Thanks. I think for St C's you have to be regular church goers (which we are not) and Ibstock Place....haven't heard much about it other than pupils regularly get a huge amount of verbal from nearby state school at the end of the day. Not sure if it has a sixth form?

You have to be on the doorstep of Graveney to get in. Right on the doorstep. My children's primary is about 400m from the school, we live about 150m further and we're too far away. I know of at least three families who have moved about 0.5km in the last year in order to stand a better chance.

I think it's supposed to be like two schools within a school. So if your children are in the top sets it's great, not so fantastic if they're in lower ability groups. I'm not sure about that though.

People round here say good things about ADT too.

I think - putting it delicately and I may be wrong - that Ibstock Place is a private school that takes the children who do not get into the more rigorously academic/selective schools in the area. It seemed to be somewhere that was put in as a "banker" out of 2-3 choices at 11.

I thought Ibstock was much improved, but I might also be getting my wires crossed. It does have a 6th form, here: www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk/ I might give them a ring and see if they have an open day shortly as it might suit DD1. My sister looked at it last year and rejected it on the grounds that the loos weren't very clean!

As for the pupils getting abuse from the other local schools ... I think that happens everywhere. DD1 was slapped on a bus by a girl from the neighbouring comp last year, and the girls from our 2 local comps are always fighting each other!

Hi Mums,

Can you tyell me the best secondary school in balhan tooting area,and how to get there,

thanks,