Co ed secondaries in and around SE London or Kent

[BandyBoo1]

We are starting to look at secondaries for our son and daughter local to SE London. Would also consider Kent.

We really liked Eltham College but it’s only recently been co-ed. Does anyone have a daughter in the school what is your experience of the school so far? What is the head like and the culture of the school?

We realise we are very limited in co-ed choices in SE London. We don’t think either of our children will do well in hot house environments like some Indy schools but want a well rounded school with a combined focus on academics and extra curricular activities too.

Sevenoaks? Fully coed for years. Lots of SE Londoners. Loads of extra curriculars, lovely campus and facilities. Not a hot house - lots of focus on rounded education as well as charity and service - but the academic standards are pretty high, which you might not want. IB only, which isn't everyone's cup of tea.

The popular co-ed ones around seem to be
Sevenoaks
Alleyns
Eltham
Royal Russell

I know girls in Y3/Y4 at Eltham and they seem to be very happy with the school. All of these are hot-houses in different degrees, as they are featured fairly high up the league tables (and Eltham is placing a lot of importance on moving up the tables).

amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/13/ex-pupils-who-compiled-sexual-abuse-dossier-accused-of-blocking-inquiry

See above re Eltham.
Personally I would not choose this school under the current head for many reasons. But clearly this is just my personal opinion and based on local gossip from friends but I have heard some worrying stories recently about current head. So please do ask around and speak to people in person.

If you can, do go and visit the schools, and make notes. See what the place is like etc.

Have a look at Farringtons school.

I wouldn’t recommend Farringtons at all.
I think it must have been nurturing a long time ago. Things have changed tremendously.
our experience was so dreadful that my son was counting the days to leave. Now he is in therapy as consequence of being there.
I know some parents have happy children there but there are also a great deal of parents unhappy who have moved their children to other schools.
The year 6 from a class of 16-17, half have left Farringtons to continue secondary school somewhere else. Maybe that’s a sign things are not that great in Farringtons.
I know my friend and I would have left our boys to continue in senior school if they were happy.

The SE London Co-Ed’s are:

Alleyns
St Dunstans
Colfe’s
Royal Russell

We have experience of Alleyns and are happy but have friends at some of the others who are also very happy. Different schools suit different children so I’d visit them and learn more about them to see which might be a good fit.