Bromley, Chigwell or Havering

[foreverglam]

We currently live in east London & want to move out to an area that has better schools. We're torn between staying this side of the river (Chigwell or Havering areas) or going south the river to somewhere nice in Bromley.
I've heard that Bromley has better schools, many of them being grammar schs, but that it's extremely hard to get into them. So is there any point paying that much money to live there when the possibility of your children getting in is slim?

Bromley has 2 grammar schools.

All of the secondary schools are above the uk average.

If schooling is you main issue then visit the schools, pick you favourite find out the catchment and look for a house in that area.

Some schools you need to be closer than others but I can't see that that is just a Bromley issue.

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england

That's where you can check schools.

I’ve just had a look and didn’t see any particularly good ones in Chigwell. Havering (the borough) is pretty average overall but it does have a mixture of fab and unimpressive schools so you could try there making sure you’re in the right area to get into the good ones.

Bromley is a very very strong borough for schools (primaries are top 5 in the U.K.) so there’s more flexibility when it comes to finding a place as there are many desirable schools. It has the grammars but also a range of v good comps.

If schools are your main criterion, then I’d recommend the borough of Sutton too. Again, primaries top 5 in England and secondary attainment is the highest in the coutry. There are 5 grammars but also the back up of some excellent comps and it’s generally cheaper than Bromley.

Thank you. You're responses have been most helpful. I will zone in on Bromley & take it from there

Most Bromley schools Are over subscribed.
There is a booklet Bromley council produce yearly with stats and admission criteria- download from the web

Shouldn’t be a problem to buy in the right catchment if you’re planning for a reception place.

Or are your children of school age already?

DS is 6 already but DD is still in nursery and will start reception next year, so we're trying to make the move & settle before she starts reception.
I've been trying to read some things online last night about the different schools, but I think we may need to actually pay visits and get a feel for them

It might be worth seeing if you can get a list of vacancies for your 6yo. French the most desirable schools are quite full up. If you did consider coming Sutton way, then I know Cheam Common (infants and juniors) are expanding and have spaces. It's a super academic school. Last year 44% pupils got higher standard in their exams.

DH is saying that Sutton is not as easily accessible to the city as the other areas are & will add on an extra 30mins to his commute. That's why we did not consider going that way. Nonetheless, If you're saying that the schs are that great, then it might be something I run past him again because good schooling is our main reason for this move.

That particular school is near Worcester Park station on the Waterloo line. From Sutton or Carshalton there’s the Thameslink to City Thameslink. There are also direct trains to London Bridge from Sutton, Carshalton Beeches and Cheam. So I’d say the commute is very good and loads of our neighbours work in the city+ you get a seat on the train so it’s quite a pleasant commute.

For doubly quick commuting out of the borough of Bromley, you could check out Orpington or Chislehurst. I think they have super quick London Bridge trains. Not sure of the schools that way as I get the impression there are more of the best schools in the north of the borough.