Secondary schools Bromley/Petts Wood area

[Hooletthedogsout]

We’re currently house hunting in the Bromley area and would ideally like to buy something in the Petts Wood area . DS is only 6 years but I’m also thinking long term for secondary school catchments. We spoke to couple of agents in PW who were of the opinion that the new BW boys could potentially extend to that area in the next few years? As it stands we haven’t found any house to our liking in the Darrick Wood/Crofton area. DS is quite academic so we’re hoping for him to appear for 11 plus for the Bexley/Kent grammars.
However, I’ve also looked at West Wickham/Hayes area for the Hayes schools which are well regarded. If we choose to move to W Wickham that means we’ll be potentially out of catchment for the Grammars other than St Olaves. I’m hoping someone knowledgeable is able to advise on pros and cons of each? Private maybe an option but as an absolute last resort as I’m conscious that our economic situation could change and also have another DC to consider.

Petts Wood is a bit of an oasis when it comes to secondary schools , with the exception of dArrick Wood. I think it's unlikely that Bullers Boy's catchment will expand, in fact I think it's more likely to shrink as the sibling policy starts to kick in.

If you move Hayes way, you will potentially have either Hayes or Langley Boys to choose from but as you said, you're further from the Grammars.

Have you looked at Bickley area? You would definitely be in Bullers Catchment and it's only 1 bus ride from the Bexley schools and train to Kent's.

Yes Darrick is only usually available to those at the Crofton end of Petts Wood but it came out further last year than before and the trend and birth rate seems to imply that will continue. A good number of boys from Petts Wood who don’t go the selective route are very happy at Ravens Wood. For girls it is more tricky if they don’t make one of the many selective options but then the selective schools are more forgiving with girls with Weald of Kent grammar coming out as far in all recent years and that only requires a pass rather than the super selective scores for Dartford or Tonbridge. It is one of the few locations that seems to regularly give access to the three grammar areas of Kent, Bexley and Bromley (Olaves / Newstead). Crofton primary scho has one of the best rates for getting children into grammars when you look at the FOI requests people put in like who got into the Bexley grammars etc.

I'd look at Bickley, Sundridge Park for BWSFB and you've you've got travel options to grammars. BW won't extend to Petts Wood once they have have sinking intake.

Sibling, not sinking!!

Can't comment on the grammars but you'll probably be in either the hayes or Langley catchment area if you move this way. Not sure where they overlap if they do. Ravenswood is also well regarded and know several people who have chosen it over hayes or Langley. Everyone in all these schools seem happy.

If you can get yourself in easy transport reach of Croydon then you open up Whitgift/Trinity and Old Palace which can be generous with scholarships etc.

Bickley/Sundridge Park is the best bet - catchment of BW Girls and BW Boys and Kent/Bexley grammars and Bromley super selectives. Also a fair number of decent state junior schools.