Best secondary from list below (London & just outside )

[Léopard123]

Calling for opinions from wise MNs please!

due to divorce, am planning future schooling for DS in year 1. Ds currently at a pre-prep and probably enough assets/or even a bursary (ex h unemployed atm and claims he is unable to work due to mental health issues, I am not a super high earner so qualify for bursary on grounds of non contribution from ex) to get him through private system in preps, but am looking at state schools for secondary. Ds is v academic (top of year for maths) but also shy and not interested in team sports. Also doesn’t seem to like being different to others in any way. Hence, I am looking at academic comps in/near London for him. I have done some research and come up with the following:

Alexandra Park
Charters School , ascot
George Abbott, Guildford
Greycourt Richmond
Gordon’s, Woking
Heathside, Weybridge
Hockerill Anglo European, Bishops Stortford
Howard of Effingham, Leatherhead
Nower Hill
Twyford Acton (would only for world faith place not Christian here)

i would most likely apply for grammars in/around London with out of catchment places if DS continues on the same academic trajectory, but obviously cannot rely upon this!

any views on the above schools much appreciated, thanks!

Can't speak for the others but you practically have to live on Alexandra Palace's doorstep to be in the catchment area. Houses in the area are, unsurprisingly, v. v expensive.

@Inkpotlover yes i have heard the same about most of these schools. Seems to be the norm for good state schools unfortunately

QE Boys, Barnet

Owens, Potters Bar

Thanks all! I’m looking specifically at non sélectives here. I know DAO and QE boys are selective and it might be the case that I end up living in north London/Herts to facilitate, but want to look at non sélectives too

Gordons you have to practically live on the doorstep - very very difficult to get in.

I don’t know how academic it is - I’d just consider it a decent comprehensive - but I know children and staff at Charters who all seem happy with it.

Reach Academy Feltham, which is near Richmond

Hockerill is another you have to live literally on the doorstep to get in, even 'in catchment' is not enough. They do have a few places reserved for music and languages aptitude but those are fiercely competitive as lots of the in catchment kids need to take them to stand a chance of a place too. Good reputation as a school though.

This years allocation only 6 out of 120 were in catchment
If you can pay for and have a good case for boarding you may get in here, there is a fairly large contingent who went state until 8 but then didn't much like the size of the fees at independent senior.

Add watford Boys and Parmiters which are partially selective and also have catchments
Mill Hill County
Archer Academy followed by woodhouse for 6th form, one of the best 6th form colleges in the country with guaranteed entry to Archer students as they don't have a 6th form

Unless things have changed massively I wouldn't have Greycourt on that lilst (plus can you afford to live in Ham?)

@Matchingcollarandcuffs - i was under the impression Greycourt was a good school? Would be interested to hear further if not your view.

I would add The Bishop's Stortford High School to your list. It's fabulous.

@Léopard123 I'd love to know your reafoning for the list. It seems quite random. I live near Grey Court and it's an excellent school, but there are others nearby that are just as good reputationally, and with better progress 8 scores. I won't list them. I'm just curious as to how you picked out Grey Court in particular.

Reach Academy Feltham for progress 8. It's the best London State school. P8 of 0.88 for 2022. First all-through free school academy to be rated outstanding.

Good luck trying to get in to Reach at age 11.

The Kingston Academy (very close to Grey Court) got 0.96. And Turing House (close to Reach, but check out the remote admissions point on the Twickenham/Teddington border) got 0.86.

Lots leave Reach in year 6 to go to Tiffin

@kraptork all the schools (save for Grey Court, well spotted!) have above average academic attainment, are located in areas I wouldn’t mind living in and are suited to DS in terms of his aptitude and ability. They have been recommended by educational consultants. GC is indeed a wildcard here based on what I’ve heard locally (I am based in sw London) and weirdly what I’ve read on Mumsnet!

grey court had a terrible few years but I think is improving, it’s just no better than many other schools that didn’t make your list.

Alexandra Park is excellent, really really excellent.

I would add though that a LOT can change in 4/5 years in a school so you're taking on a bit of a risk whichever you choose!

@yorkshireteapots very true re change happening. Trying to get ahead of the curve but yes might be too early !

London state schools are better than suburban grammar and independent schools. The trajectory of the traditional suburban school ratings is going downwards. Eg Hampshire.

Your educational consultants will be heavily reliant on Government performance measures, which haven't been published in league table form since 2019. The 2023 results are available for individual schools (here: https://www.find-school-performance-data.service.gov.uk/) but are caveated with a Covid-related warning about making comparisons.

The two schools I mentioned in my previous post (TKA and THS) and Reach Academy are all newly established, so weren't in the 2019 tables and won't be on your consultants' radar. There will be other schools in the same position in other areas.

Conversely, some schools that were doing well in 2019 may have gone through leadership changes or financial challenges that have impacted them negatively. A change of headteacher or a restructure can trigger a wave of resignations, that can change a school radically from one year to the next.

Also, be wary of comparing Ofsted ratings. The Ofsted framework changed significantly in 2019, so you can't directly compare ratings from before and after. It is now much more difficult to get an Outstanding grade, and the grade has been decoupled from exam performance. Now it is mostly about the richness of the curriculum, as well as behaviour, safeguarding and personal development, and there are deliberately fewer Outstanding grades awarded.