Decent Secondary schools in orpington area

[jadeywadey]

Hi I'm pretty new to this site and the orpington area too we moved here last summer.
I'm currently looking into secondary schools for my eldest daughter were unsure on mixed all girls at the moment.
we have looked at the priory and found it to be a great school but I don't seem to get much positive feed back from the other mums in my daughters current school? Do any of you ladies have any advice or first hand experience with the priory secondary school?
We also like Darrick wood, newstead wood, and will take a look at coopers tech too
I'd like to hear your views and opinions, although We will be going to the open days this year to have a look and get our own view
I'd still like to get an idea from other local mums who know the area and schools better than I do thanks girlies ; )

I have a girl at Newstead and one at Bromley High. I am very happy with both schools. However, Newstead is full of very talented girls. If your DD is a perfectionist, or lacks confidence in her abilities, it may not be for her. I didn't even have DD2 sit the test - I just knew it was the wrong school for her.

I know people with daughters at Bullers Wood, Beaverwood, and Darrick Wood. All are happy with the schools. Beaverwood has apparently improved hugely in recent years. I was chatting to a parent recently, and she was very happy with it.

I know a teacher at Coopers. I understand there is some quite challenging behaviour there. I'm sure there is at most schools, but he described boys sitting in a test, so it's supposed to be silent, talking to each other, in normal voices, across the room, as if they were the only ones there. I don't know any parents or students there, though.

Thank you very much for you reply mulberry jam,
My daughters very much into dance drama and all sorts of performing arts and sports, she's very good at reading and writing although maths is not her strong point she has a lot of help and support with this at home as well as at school, I really want her to be happy with the school we pick but I also want to make the decision with her too because like you said you didn't put you daughter through the test you put her into a school where you knew she would be happy and excel, and that's great because after all they're the ones that have to go there in the end I'm glad your girls are happy in school and ill be looking into newstead wood and darrickwood in the near future.i guess in the long run the kids get out of it what they put in and as long as they're happy and learning then all is well
Thanks again for your advice ; )