Please help me find a decent state secondaries for a central London girl!

[Janni]

Hello, we live in the City of London and have a daughter in Year 3. There is no state secondary for girls in the borough so I need to look further afield. We would like a mixed or single sex school state school that is fairly nurturing and has decent exam results at GCSE. Our daughter is bright and sparky but not an academic high flyer and I don't think she would be in the running for scholarships. We are not religious but would not mind a church school. However, we won't be pretending to be churchgoers in order to gain admission. There are two things that might give our daughter priority with regard to admission in certain state schools: she was adopted from local authority foster care when she was 2.5 and she has cystic fibrosis, a chronic health condition. I have looked at the websites for St Marylebone School, Greycoats School and St Mary Magdalene. Does anyone have any advice to offer us about any of these schools or about any others we could consider? Many thanks.

You could look at schools south of the river too, as the bus ride would be quite straightforward. This would mean schools in Southwark, Lambeth or (just possibly) Lewisham. It's still early days so you will need to keep an eye on Ofsted reports and so on, and above all visit, visit, visit. I'd suggest visit a few schools when your daughter is in year 5 to start getting a feel for what you like and don't like about schools in general, and then focus down in year 6 on the serious contenders.

The Southwark secondary transfer booklet can be downloaded here. There's a map on page 43 that shows where all the schools are and all the admissions criteria are given as well. St Saviour's and St Olave's is a C of E girls' school which as far as I know (no first-hand experience, no friends with children there, just general reputation) has been a solidly good school for a long time. Many of the other Southwark schools are fairly new or have been converted into academies, so it's early days to know whether they are going to be good long-term, but you've got time on your side there.

Good luck!

My DD is at St Mary Magdalene and I'd recommend it- before that she was at Highgate Wood which I definitely wouldn't (unless they get a new head). She's about to leave, being in year 13, and has had a great time. Pastoral care and general support has been very good, as well as the teaching (although maths left a lot to be desired). Other DD is at Mill Hill County, which is the best school in the world, but too far from you unfortunately.

interesting to read the recommendation for City Academy Hackney. We visited and loathed it - seemed like a boot camp not a school. But just goes to show you have to visit these places yourself. Ditto Marylebone which just sounds a nightmare of petty rules. Perhaps have a look at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.

It's been very interesting to read these varying opinions and impressions of schools. Dustylaw - did you come across Mossbourne School as part of your search? Thanks Londonmother for the Southwark ideas - St Olave's sounds interesting.

Prism - thanks for the info about St Mary Magdalene. Is there any reason to expect the maths teaching will improve? DD likes maths but it doesn't come that easily to her.

know girls at Marylebone and they are very happy there. seems to be a very good state school, with a vibrant performing arts section. The results are great and as someone else said it is quite small which would probably be an advantage.

Actually the maths was really only down to one teacher, so no reason to suppose it would affect you. The head of maths is quite inspiring actually, and I found a brilliant tutor who lives near the school, so it all worked out OK. SMMA (as they call themselves) only do the international baccalaureate in the 6th form, so bear that in mind; though that's the main reason DD ended up there- we're very pro-IB.

I'd really recommend The Grey Coat Hospital, my DD is there, thriving, lots of new friends, really happy, although viewed as specialist in languages it has an amazing & vibrant arts provision too.

Thanks JackyNotts - that's very interesting to hear. I feel quite encouraged by this thread - sounds like I have a good few decent places to look at.

Guys! If you think St Maylebone is perfect, I shall tell you go and visit it. For me, I shall tell you it is like any other Secondary school around the area. It isn't that brilliant , as people and it isn't that outstanding as people . If you like it, apply for it. Sorry, guys waiting outside in that messery well weather whiles my daughter had to test. I have tell I am thinking guys.