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Original poster

DS didn’t get any of secondary school choices :-(

64 replies

IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 02:07

My DS was unfortunately not offered any of school places we listed. As a result, they gave us the nearest school to our home with a place.

it was my worst nightmare to be offered this school- though, it is mainly based on the way in which we see the children behave after school. It also has a ‘Good’ ofsted rating which, for me is not great considering all the hard work my DS put in over year (sadly he didn’t meet the private school threshold after taking 11+)

is anyone else going through this? Any advice on next steps. He is position 28 for our first choice.

i also only applied for one school in Lambeth which is the borough we live in, simply because I am not keen on any of schools local to us- hence why we probably landed in this predicament in the first place!

OP posts:
MmeWorthington · 09/03/2026 15:47

OP - no sibling place for your DD’s school?? Did they assess your application under the correct category?

Did your Ds sit the banding test for Dunraven?

MmeWorthington · 09/03/2026 17:46

Elembeeee · 09/03/2026 12:45

Elm Green? That was a local school which really impressed and many of my son’s classmates are going there. It was our second choice but we were offered our first choice

I’m not too far from you and didn’t even go to see City Heights. As its reputation is really poor - violence and results. Despite being the closest secondary to my son’s primary they didn’t even show up to do a presentation to the parents and students. So I assumed that it wouldn’t suit my son.

But I saw the same Streatham Mums post raving about it too. And I do know that a lot of opinions about the school come with thinly veiled racism and classism. So definitely tour the school to get a feel for it yourself. I also saw that through their partnership with Dulwich one student was offered a bursary spot at Dulwich.

Not to beat about the bush, I think the Tulse Hill estates catchment is an issue for City Heights.

A friend who taught there hated it when it was run by the previous head and management, and said they were the problem, not the kids.

I know lots of families with kids in Elmgreen, Dunraven and Norwood (mine went to one of these) , all very happy and meeting the level of achievement expected for their ability.

I don’t think any of our local state schools are good for sport, they don’t have the space or the facilities but if your Ds is sporty and takes part in a sport that any of your more favoured schools offer within the curriculum or clubs, that City Heights does not, then you have an appeal case.

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/03/2026 17:50

ArcticSkua · 09/03/2026 04:43

I don't know anything about the Lambeth schools, but I can tell you that my DC's school, which has been consistently excellent for them for the past 8 years, is only rated Good by Ofsted. I wouldn't let that alone put you off unless there are other issues.

Same! My DCs were very happy and did well in their Ofsted-rated ‘good’ comp. In fact, DC1 left there with 4 x Astar at A-level and a place on a masters course at a top uni.

Newgirls · 09/03/2026 18:01

I live in an area known for its excellent state and private schools and the kids from all of them have their moments. I’ve seen and heard all sorts, What they are like in the 10 min after they leave school is only one piece of information. Dont panic! Go and visit during the day.

Trusttheawesomeness · 09/03/2026 18:07

IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 07:32

Funny enough…I have been looking into fee paying schools, so not really an issue but I will still accept the offer

academically the school offered are not doing as well as the schools of my preference, plus general behaviour- though kids will be kids, so not really valid reason to not like school!

sighs lol

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I’m Scottish and don’t understand your system all that well, so could be talking out of my arse right now so apologies for this but… if your son failed the 11+ then doesn’t that mean he is actually suited to a less academic school? In schools which really focus on academics, a kid who struggles would maybe fall behind so he might do better in a school which aims for more his level?

Original poster
IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 19:22

Thank you all so much for your input!

I never expected to get so many responses!

Will hope for the best with first choice, be open minded with school offered and contact some schools I have in mind to see if there are any spaces.

I’m sure all will be well… eventually!

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 19:27

Trusttheawesomeness · 09/03/2026 18:07

I’m Scottish and don’t understand your system all that well, so could be talking out of my arse right now so apologies for this but… if your son failed the 11+ then doesn’t that mean he is actually suited to a less academic school? In schools which really focus on academics, a kid who struggles would maybe fall behind so he might do better in a school which aims for more his level?

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May not have met threshold for the 2 private schools applied for- but DS still very academic.

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 19:30

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/03/2026 17:50

Same! My DCs were very happy and did well in their Ofsted-rated ‘good’ comp. In fact, DC1 left there with 4 x Astar at A-level and a place on a masters course at a top uni.

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Awwww…that’s really good to know! Well done to your DC1 !

OP posts:
Elembeeee · 09/03/2026 19:32

@MmeWorthington Sadly any school on or beside an estate gets shunned. They become sink schools as middle class families within the catchment choose private or look further. And these middle class families are the reason school roles are falling. They moved into the area to take advantage of cheaper housing prices but now want nothing to do with the local community.

Like the local councillor in charge of children and families who lives a five minute walk from 3 Lambeth primaries but chooses to bike his kids to school in Southwark 🙄 rather than support the undersubscribed school in his own neighbourhood.

The middle class carpetbagging really boils my arse. it means the gap between the haves and have nots in Lambeth is growing exponentially.

sorry MmeW… bit of a rant… yes I did hear that the previous head was a bit of a problem. Do hope that it changes the school for the best.

It’s been interesting to hear how preferences are changing. Totally anecdotally amongst the parents I chatted with Dunraven was no longer so desirable - the buzz this year was about Elmgreen. Even Kingsdale was seen as a duty to apply to but without any real love for the school.

Original poster
IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 19:33

MmeWorthington · 09/03/2026 17:46

Not to beat about the bush, I think the Tulse Hill estates catchment is an issue for City Heights.

A friend who taught there hated it when it was run by the previous head and management, and said they were the problem, not the kids.

I know lots of families with kids in Elmgreen, Dunraven and Norwood (mine went to one of these) , all very happy and meeting the level of achievement expected for their ability.

I don’t think any of our local state schools are good for sport, they don’t have the space or the facilities but if your Ds is sporty and takes part in a sport that any of your more favoured schools offer within the curriculum or clubs, that City Heights does not, then you have an appeal case.

Show quote history

Thank you!! This was very sound advice- noted!

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 19:36

MmeWorthington · 09/03/2026 15:47

OP - no sibling place for your DD’s school?? Did they assess your application under the correct category?

Did your Ds sit the banding test for Dunraven?

DD attends all girls school- and no DS didn't do band test for Dunraven

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmMum85 · 09/03/2026 19:38

Elembeeee · 09/03/2026 12:52

BTW our first choice was Westminster City. Every time we visited my son and I rated it more each time.

if you’re willing to travel to Nunhead I suggest looking at Westminster City.

Hmmm…ok, hadn’t even considered Westminster- will look into school more

OP posts:
Disturbia81 · 09/03/2026 19:41

My sons school is fantastic but you wouldn’t think so if you saw the kids at chucking out time, I wouldn’t judge it on that.

MmeWorthington · 09/03/2026 21:44

OK OP, well in your shoes I would be wanting to do all possible to improve on the offer you have.

Which means looking at realistic alternatives.

Get on the waiting list for Elmgreen, and see how to make a late application to Dunraven.

Good luck!

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