Are Sutton/ Bexley Grammars 'do-able' from SE26?

[sydenhamhiller]

I'm hoping some local MNers will take pity on me, as the secondary school issue is starting to turn me into a gibbering wreck. (I was super calm over the primary thing, what's the matter with me?)

We live in SE26, closer to the Victoria line than the London Bridge line. Our nearest state schools would be Forest Hill boys and Kingsdale. DS is achieving quite well at school and I had dismissed the Sutton/ Bexley grammars as too far away, but a couple of people have said "Oh, it's not that far..."

I travelled over an hour, 2 buses, in a brand new foreign country when I was 12, so I'm not super precious about this (I think). I know the grammar school issue really divides people, so I can't have this conversation in RL: if it's a reasonable commute to a grammar, and he got in, think DS would love it. But if it's nearly 1.5 hrs there, 1.5 hours back and 3 different buses/ trains, I'm not sure if it's worth that? Is it?

[gazzalw]

Agree about the bus journeys taking a lot longer than trains - DS takes the bus.....But think of all that money saved not having to pay for rail fares (rubs hands together like Silas Marner) - only joking.....Actually it was a significant consideration for us as really quite a cash-strapped family...

[Cosmos123]

We were in a similar position. Son passed Sutton also Bexley entrance exams.
However, we realised the journey would be a lengthy one and not sure it was really worth it. Although we wanted our son to be stretched we did not want an exam factory.

In the end we chose a local comprehensive school, with average results.
My son is very happy there and walks to school with his friends, he has also made new local friends. Importantly,he has been academically stretched and given work that is suitable for his needs.

He is also involved in lots of extra curricular activities in the school, as it is local he can stay behind and still be home by 4:15. (school finishes at 3pm).

We don't have to worry about train/ bus cancellations etc.

I believe you should go around the local schools as now many are having open days before you dismiss them.

It is important to have the right balance.

[jemw]

My DS is at one of the sutton grammars, he travels in from SE22, we did look at St Olaves and the Dartford grammars but the journey this side was better for us, it take him about 45mins door to door
Travelling not been an issue for him and that include early starts/late finishes for footie training, CCF etc
No friends locally go the school but weekends he tends to see local primary school friends
DD goes to school which is much closer but she leaves even earlier than DS to get there .....

[SanityClause]

The Bexley Grammars are not all that, IMVHO. I wouldn't say they're worth travelling all that way for.

Also, Chis and Sid is no further out of London than Sydenham, really.

[LCHammer]

Do the journey to see how long it takes. We moved for DS from 5 miles away and 2 buses to 1 mile away and just one bus. It still takes him the best part of an hour to get home (slow bus, nut that frequent etc).