Bexley or Bromley

[Tangi88]

Hello,

We are considering moving house because of the schools of where we are at the moment and the fact that we would like our DCs to try for grammar schools.

We need to start at a good primary and then move to a decent secondary (ideally grammar).

As a second priority comes the area and how nice it is as our kids will hang out with friends there.

Our kids are still very young so we have time to plan it all carefully.

I know the Orpington Grammars are super selective and distance doesn’t matter.

On the other hand the Bexley/Darrford Grammars factor in the distance which means the closer the better.

So, based on this it sounds like living closer to Bexley/Dartford Grammars rather than in Orpington is strategically better move in order to secure a GS place. What do you think?

Is there a nice/safe area that tick the boxes and also has a good primary?

Thanks all! x

I think schools should be part of your decision but there will need to be other things to factor in- Orpington / Bromley is more expensive than Bexley, but I would probably say a bit of a nicer area- and I say this as someone who lives Bexley.

Also you need to consider the non grammar schools in the areas too- you say your kids are very young so what if they don't pass the test?

In Bexley there are 4 grammar schools 1 for girls only,1 for boys only and two mixed. I think Bromley just has two - 1 girls 1 boys. In Bexley I feel that the grammar schools create a bit of a tier system, with only a couple of really good schools outside of the grammars that are then super difficult to get into and then quite a few schools that you would be really upset with if you've set your heart on a grammar. I don't know Bromley as well but I think they have a better selection of high performing state schools.

Anyone in the country can take the Kent test but realistically if you live in Bexley you'll only be close enough to commute to three of them easily-ish- Dartford which is one of the hardest in the country to get into, Gravesend which isn't too far behind and then Wilmington.

Don't forget that all of the grammar schools will have their own admissions policy. In Bexley and Kent if you score in the top 25% then you are almost guaranteed your pick of schools but below that you're subject the the admissions policy for each school and pretty much all of them have distance as one of the top criteria.

So I think you're right that Bexley gives you more options, just note about the non grammar schools.

The previous poster is spot on. Bexley is a good base to cover all angles and the Sidcup/Longlands area is nice so DA15/14. Buses or walk to the Bexley and Bromley Grammars and a short train ride to the Dartford Grammars. Longlands Primary and Dulverton primary are lovely schools for the younger kids.

Thank you both for the responses, it’s very useful.

@MavisMonkey you mentioned a couple of good schools outside grammars that are super difficult to get into. To which ones are you referring to please and why is it difficult if there is no exam? Do you mean because of their catchment?

@Lightsabre thanks a lot I will have a look at the primaries you mentioned.

Also, do you know if from Bexley there is any chance for kids to go to Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells grammars or not? I assume that would mean a second relocation though because of distance...

Harris Academy is really well rated and so is St Catherine's. St Catherine's is Roman Catholic and girls only so that makes admissions difficult and then with Harris Academy which is mixed if you live more than a mile away based in previous admission stats you won't get in.

However I would note that I know people who have children at other schools with less popular reputations - Cleeve Park, Welling, St Columba's and Haberdashers and they are really happy with them. A lot of it depends on the cohort, the teachers they happen to get and the child's personality.

I guess the last thing I would say is that it's a long way off in school terms. A new head can make or break a school and the situation could be really different in 5 years time. I've been living in Bexley for nearly 8 years now and I've seen one of our local primaries go from outstanding to special measures and now back to good.

Sevenoaks, Tunbridge etc are not a good journey from Bexley Borough but are do-able from Orpington station. However, the Kent Grammars such as Judd, Skinners etc had catchment changes recently so you'll need to really review those. Dartford Grammar is an awkward journey from Orpington - no direct train link but I think there might be a school bus (won't be great for after school activities and will leave early).

OP we are the Bexley side of Bromley near the Bullers Wood schools and our DS got a place at one of the Bexley Grammars. You can check the last years distances on the Bexley website and get a feel for how far they go. We felt we had a good choice of Bromley comprehensives, easy ish to access Orpington grammars if successful, just within a couple of the Bexley grammars distance and also a number of independent options.

We didn't even try for Kent - too far, very high scores required. If you want them I'd look at moving to Tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells. I do know 2 boys who travel to Judd and TWGSfB - a long way!!

We are in Tunbridge Wells, and have 4 at grammar schools. The catchments have changed for Judd and Skinners, so you would not get in from Bexley/Bromley any more. TWGSB is (I believe) opening an annexe in Sevenoaks so there may be more scope, but again, think of the travelling your child may have to do. It's not so bad in Y7 and 8, but the pressure on these children ramps up towards public exams so you don't want a long commute home and then hours of homework....

OP you say the Orpington grammars have no catchment, that is true of St Olaves, but not of Newstead which has a 9 mile radius catchment.

Crofton is a fantastic primary school, lots of children end up at Kent, Orpington and Bexley grammars plus local comprehensives. For Kent grammars the scores required would be high, the ones in reach for boys as someone says above have changed recently but still include Dartford grammar where there is a coach service to the school from Orpington and Petts Wood. Bexley grammars usually come out as far as Petts Wood, Sidcup & Chislehurst grammar certainly has. DD is at Newstead and it is a fantastic school.

A lot can change though if you are only just looking at primary schools.

Hi,
please I need suggestions /advise.
we are planning to move from Swanscombe in Dartford borough to an area commutable to st Olave’s grammar school in Orpington with good state schools. One of my sons is there as we used to live in Orpington but moved 2 years ago due to high cost of houses.
My other son is in Beths grammar school in Bexley but unfortunately my youngest son did not pass the grammar school tests and we are now looking at state schools in a good area safe to raise teenage boys.
We considered Orpington but the house prices in the good areas are higher than our budget. I don’t know much about bexley state schools or Dartford borough state schools.