Sutton Surrey Academy/Comprehensive schools - Overview

[AspiMum]

Hi All,
As all parents are struggling to collect information before placing their kids in the secondary schools, I thought of starting this thread to give/get some idea about the secondary schools in and around sutton,surrey (Non-Grammar schools). Most of the schools have got Academy status. However if parents whose DC are already studying in different schools can share their experiences or even if they have collected some information while choosing the first choice, it may helpful for parents who have got kids in 10+.
Thanks in Advance.

Mostly parents will be searching for Greenshaw, Overton Grange, Carshalton boys , Carshalton girls, Cheam high school. So any information on these schools will be helpful.

I would also love to hear comments from parents.
DS is Y5 but we looked around last Sept/Oct on open days.
I have spoken to as many parents as I know about their choices for older DCs and find the whole thing a nightmare.
What I do know is that you can't judge a school by the HT talk, the presentation and the promises.
Much of the Ofsted is debatable.
Canvas as much opinion as possible from the DCs that go there, and the parents that have to contact the school - all can change from initial expectations

@Auntevil - I totally agree. Open day/evenings will give an idea about the school from Management perspective. Parents can share more - happy/bitter experiences. It can be a 'lessons learnt' message to other parents and can well prepare for those situations or can opt out the choice. Greenshaw being a partially selective school, the performance is improving. Also I heard the HT /T make lot of influence on the performance. Overton HT is very amicable and approachable. He gave loads of info on a 1-2-1 chat. But I don't know any one who is studying there currently. So I am eager to hear from the parents whose DC studies there.

But isn't catchment area also important if you are going to stand a realistic chance of getting into any of these.
Your 'choice' of school isn't a 'choice' but a 'preference'. I have been keeping a tally of the parents I know in the couple of streets nearby. Regardless of what preference was put, all were given 1 school - even those that did not put it as a preference.
Unless you get one of the selective places at Greenshaw, you pretty much can guess what you will be offered if you live in certain areas.

That's true 100%, I mean catchment area plays a solid role in place allocation. However if one ask for Greenshaw but living in SM2, chances of placement in Overton is high though they haven't mentioned any other schools than Greenshaw. That's clearly mentioned in the application as some people only fill their choice/wish school and leave rest options as empty. Sought after schools wont get allotted if you haven't filled though you live in next street. Greenshaw is doing good and Overton is not far behind.