Canterbury, Bexley or Aylesbury for state schools?

[askingneverhurt]

Hello

just thinking of a backup in case my child doesn’t get a grammar school place.

what area tends to have the better state schools, Canterbury, Bexley or Aylesbury?

thank you

Aylesbury has Lord Williams in Thame, and Waddesdon, both very good schools if grammar isn’t what you want

Depending, very little chance of Lord William's from Aylesbury and Waddesdon would be unlikely- what about a mixed area, so Twyford (excellent comp, but can take 11+ for Reading or Slough grammar schools (separate exams now, used to just be one) or around Henley for Gillottes. Bexley, Canterbury or Aylesbury are quite geographically different

Not Bexley - the non grammars are not good

If you lived in a village Oxford side of Aylesbury you would potentially be in catchment for the grammars, Lord Williams and Waddesdon.

The non-selective schools in Bexley are abysmal.

@Pinkpinkplonk
Untrue.

I know of families over the last three consecutive years who live in catchment for Lord Bills, in Shabbington just about 2.5 miles away who haven’t been successful.

Since the new housing development opposite the school, opportunity is greatly reduced.

@Tikkamarsalaplease, it is not untrue, I’m sure the new housing in Thame has had an impact, but there are definitely children from other villages who do still get in. The village I had in mind, wasn’t Shabbington.

@Pinkpinkplonk Is Shabbington not the closest village?
Would love to know which Oxfordshire village you are thinking of because Long Crendon and Shabs are Bucks….

Being unfair on Bexley here. I live here and lots of friends children have done well at non selective schools, with plenty going on to University. Single sex schools as well as mixed.

Doesn't Waddesdon have a tiny catchment area? It's been a while since I lived in Aylesbury so things may have changed.

No, Long Crendon is classed as closer, plus it has a feeder school. If you live in Long Crendon and are a church goer you will likely get a place at Waddesdon. Long Crendon is in catchment for Aylesbury grammars. Shabbington is further out for the grammars.
Shabbington children tend to go to Ickford, and then on to Wheatley.
Chearsley the village nearer Aylesbury, will get children into Waddesdon and the grammars but not Lord Williams, its catchment is Princes Risborough

Ah! Thankyou for clarifying 😊 I can’t get my head around Long Crendon being so far from Waddesdon given very few people seem to get in from the LC/Shabbington/Worminghall area.
Anyway, I digress. Sorry OP.

Best non-selective in Canterbury are St Anselm and Archbishops. The grammars aren't super selective though and the 2 pretty low achieving local indies get similar and better results (Kings is a diff kettle of fish). All grammar schools are not equal.