Best state comprehensives in London

[Compsearch]

I wasn’t sure whether to put this in property or education…hope it gets some replies.

We want to send our kids to an excellent school (like everyone else!). Private is out of reach. We live in East London atm and DC1 is in year 1 at a lovely primary school, but the local secondary options aren’t right for us.

The local school has amazing progress scores and results but achieves this by being incredibly strict and focusing on core subjects. There is no arts offering at all (very important to us as a family), only one MFL, hardly any sport.

We are willing to move closer to a state school that would ideally have excellent results and a more balanced offering. We have a DS and a DD so ideally co Ed.

Im not against selective education and whilst it’s early to tell I’d say the kids have a good shot at getting into a grammar but I wouldn’t want to assume they’d get into a super selective school as that seems like insane pressure.

I work in the city near Liverpool Street.

Where should we go?

Alexandra Park School seems to do well. Check the admissions policies carefully especially for what proof of address you need, and generally you'd need to have sold the previous house and have proof of living in the new property at the time of application.

For most councils it's possible to rent in the area and still get a place if you live within the distance cut-off, as long as you are living there and don't own other properties. We did this (for a girls' comp not APS) as it meant we didn't have to pay such high prices for buying super close to the school. We rented for the medium term and then bought a place once DD1 was attending the school. DD2 got in on the sibling policy, although you have to check the sibling policy carefully as sometimes it won't give you the same priority if you move out of catchment.

I'd probably opt to move when your child is a bit older, because you might move to an area and the school could go downhill, or another school could get a better reputation, and it would be costly and a hassle to move twice. But with the time it takes for a suitable property to come up and the risk of getting caught in a property chain, Year 4 is not too early.

Thank you! Just to be clear, we would plan to sell up and buy a house in the right area, not rent temporarily.

I’ve heard good things about APS so
will keep that one on the list.