For Those Of You Looking At Secondary School Options For Your Children....

[LocalEditorMerton]

It's always extremely useful to get some first-hand tips from other local parents who've been thro' this often stressful process before.

To help you get organised we've got many local school open day listings local.mumsnet.com/merton/school-open-dayshere

So, whether you're looking at secondary schools in-borough or in surrounding ones, (regardless of whether they're state or private) and need advice and insights into schools, sitting the 11+ (that contentious chestnut!), or simply want to share your experiences of open-days and the ups and downs of doing so, please come and join in the debate!

Some of your children may be a way off applying for secondary school places yet. However, if you've witnessed the rapid expansion of local primary schools (from one to two to three form entry in some cases) to cope with increased demand, you may be wondering about Merton's strategy for secondary school expansion.

Currently there's spare capacity (because many local children attend schools in neighbouring boroughs or are in the private education system) but it won't be too many years before this is no longer the case.

You may therefore be interested in this article, in the local paper, about proposed free schools in Merton.

Stop Press! This may be of interest to those of you who will shortly be doing secondary school open day and evening visits (in September and October 2014) and have boys!

Wimbledon College, has been recognised for its success in improving pupils’ aspirations and achievements by being awarded a coveted place in the Mayor of London’s Schools’ Gold Club (only 6% of schools have been invited to join the club, out of the thousands of primary and secondary schools across London).

More information here

UPDATE: Have you noticed that we've got lots of secondary school open days listed (for Merton and surrounding boroughs' state and private schools)? The list is being updated daily at the moment.

Here are some quick links if you need to search out some information about SW London secondary schools in a hurry:

Croydon - bit.ly/1qzR5DB
Kingston - bit.ly/1tlFFSA
Lambeth - bit.ly/ZerbuN
Merton - bit.ly/WFdeo8
Richmond - bit.ly/1oiVdDs
Sutton - bit.ly/Zer3M4
Wandsworth - bit.ly/1lN3OTi

Good luck!

Forgot to attach the very useful London schools' 'mapcatchments'. Very useful for cross-referencing school intakes against which schools the children in given areas attend.