Private Schools in Bromley / Croydon / Dulwich

[SmileyMylee]

Starting to think about secondary schools for my DD (Yr 5). I can't guarantee her getting into a good state school so need to have a back up plan.
A lot of the private schools here are very good in terms of academics - Bromley High, JAGS, Croydon High etc, but my DD is average in the academic sense. I don't want to put her through loads of entrance exams (and the related tutoring) if she does not have a realistic hope of getting in. I'm happy to have some extra tutoring but I don't want to put her under too much pressure to reach a high standard and then have her stuggle in the school later on.
She's very arty and sporty and a school that supports this would be good.

Does anyone have any advice - do children of average academics get into schools in this area without daily tutoring (and can they cope when they get there?) Where do children of average academic ability go???

I teach year six and two of my average children were accepted into local independent schools (Blackheath High and Colfe's)
Just make sure there are plenty of other things in your DDs life- sport, dance etc.

Thanks, I'll look into these

I've had girls who were performing at a fairly average level be offered a place at Blackheath High too. She wasn't particularly strong in any area of the curriculum to be honest but she got along fine there for Y7 at least (Y6 teachers get invited to tea during the autumn term).

Oh lovely! Tea! They do that at Prendergast Hilly Fields too and I have to pretend to look delighted, year after year, at one of the dullest secondary schools in the world!

In the Croydon area I would suggest Royal Russell - not as academic as places like Old Palace and Croydon High.

Would agree with the suggestion re Colfe's plus you could look at St Dunstan's (but that is in Catford).

Bromley - how about Farringtons?

Spudmasher - I have to say I wasn't overly impressed at the standard of writing that the Y7 girls read out at this tea 'do' which annoyed and disappointed me given the cost of going to the school but also made me feel rather smug that, in my 'notice to improve' school across the heath, we had much higher expectations!

Thanks for all these ideas. We're in Beckenham so Catford is ok on the train.

Any ideas on Sydenham High?

If you are in Beckenham how about Bishop Challoner in Shortlands? Although it describes itself as Catholic over half of the children aren't Catholic.

Farringtons is down Chislehurst way - senior school used to be girls only but is admitting boys in Y7 in September.

Sydenham High - no experience, sorry! I only know one girl who will be starting in September so that's no use to you!!!

A bit further away (in Purley) is Lodge School but it might be awkward for you to get to.

St Dunstan's has quite a bit SEN department but its results are pretty good. I would say that St D's and Colfe's are on a par, academically. St D's big disadvantage is that is slap, bang on the South Circular!

"bit"? I meant big!

From what you say I would advise farringtons too

My niece is at Farringtons, and she is classed as average.

Two of us have just finished an insiders guide to getting in to a good secondary school, written from years of experience as Heads . It's gone to our designers and will be printed mid July. We really want it to make a difference to parents at this crucial time and would love to see it put pressure in the right places to change the current (loaded) system.
Of the half million children who move into secondary schools each year, 85,000 don't get their first choice and nearly 20,000 get no choice at all, directed to the school in the locality with empty places.
Anyone interested in helping us get it publicised and distributed?
Smiling at this thread. We know all the schools professionally!

I'm moving to Chislehurst soon and my very average boys have been accepted at Farringtons (they are bit younger than your DD though - 6 and 8) My youngest actually is a bit behind with his writing and he has been offered one-to-one which I am delighted with.

It seems a lovely school and I like the fact that they'll be able to carry on there for secondary since they will have all the upheaval of moving this summer. I think there is a written test for secondary school (there isn't for the primary - they just spent a "taster day" there).

The website is very good, lots of info. They've just had a good ISI report. They have several minibus services to the school from various areas which is also a bonus.