Secondary schools in SE3? Help!

[Missgoldilocks]

Hi

I'm looking at secondary schools for my eldest son, we live in Blackheath and he'll be starting year 7 next year.

Not an option for private or grammar.

I was sure about thomas tallis for ages as I know a few people who's kids go there and they are happy with it, however, I have heard some bad things recently and it's made me falter a bit.

I know no school is perfect but would like some info from anyone in the area about the local secondary schools that would be good to look at please ?

So far I have looked into harris academy greenwich. Leigh academy blackheath and Thomas tallis.

Someone pointed me towards harris falconwood as they said the greenwich one was terrible? But the ofsted is outstanding so it's all confused me a bit.

My son is a bright boy, very good at maths, no special needs and loves sports. I did see that the harris greenwich specialises in sports which interested me.

I also hear bad things about the academies in general but it seems I am surrounded by them!

I would also like to know if I can apply for secondarys outside of my cachment area and if so is that a good idea or not?

Any help would be much appreciated please!

TIA X

Tallis is the best Blackheath option for boys I think? (Eltham Hill being an option for girls)....

If he's very good at maths why are the Bexley grammars not an option? Beths usually comes out a far as SE3? or have you missed registration?

I'd go and look around all the ones you list tbh. And maybe throw a couple of others in (John Roan? Greenwich Free School?) for comparison.

I visited Thomas Tallis last year. Its too big school around 2000 students. Large grounds but too many buildings and its not warm atmoshere. I didnt visit Harris Academy but When I searched online GCSE results are much better than Thomas Tallis. I was told that Harris Academy has nice new building and facilities. Good luck but try grammar schools - you dont loose anything!

I had all of those on my list last year and we got Tallis. Early days but really happy so far. I find it really encouraging and nurturing in terms of ethos. Was a bit worried about maths but they seem to be putting lots in place to stretch. I liked all 3 though and think Harris would be great for a sporty kid (mine isnt).

Hi. Did you get any feedback about Harris Greenwich? Thanks.

Hello miss Goldilocks. We are applying this year, where did you end up going and do you have any feedback you would be happy to share? I was leaning towards Leigh Academy Blackheath but appreciate any first hand experience about any in the area. My daughter sounds exactly like your son, into maths and sports in particular. Thanks so much.

Hi, so my son got thomas tallis however my first choices were leigh academy and harris greenwich.
I can't say much on either of the two he didn't get into but from what I've heard they are great.
I was upset when he got tallis but I'm actually quite happy with it now. It has great sports facilities and they are strict when it comes to homework, if it's not done they get detention. It is a big school whereas the other two are smaller and they did get outstanding in ofsted, thomas tallis has had a steady "good" rating over the years.

Over all I definitely can't complain, he's settled in very well! I would say thomas tallis is a good choice :) as well as leigh academy and harris greenwich. Hope this helps x

Glad to hear it all worked out @Missgoldilocks . We're now in the second year at tallis and still a really good experience, @Blackheathmama. Similarly can't comment on the other two but not heard any negatives. As you have a girl, also got a couple of friends having great experiences at Eltham Hill if single sex is something you would consider.