Bishop Thomas Grant in Streatham vs. Langley Park Boys

[meadowquark]

I am moving house and we won't be moving again before secondary, so these are our best options depending on a house choice. Both are brilliant schools I understand, but couldn't be more different. LPBS is a leafy comp in a suburb while BTG is inner city with over 50% EAL. I am a foreigner, probably could fit middle class criteria, but by no means consider myself posh. DS are mixed race.

DS is bright but short-fused and easily led. I am sure DS would well in both school academically, but my worry is who he will make as friends and how he will fit it. Peer influence ia very important. BTG would be at some distance from us (3 miles), while LPBS would be walkable. BTG feels more welcoming while LPBS feels more 'dry' and inpersonal (the new Headteacher's welcoming word).

Frankly I favour BTG I think, however the house and peaceful location of LPBS surrounds, and all I want my DS to make lifetime friends, learn to work hard, not to be distracted and speak proper English (not sarf london accent :) )

Any piece of advice please?

BTG does not suffer from an EAL intake on paper, I can assure you!
You need to know that the school is strict, in that it has exacting standards about things like haircuts and uniform. But very popular with parents, good ethos and good standards.

Behaviour is good.

Kids in all London schools will develop slang amongst their peers and 'speak proper' at home.

I don't know anything about the other school. Walkable is good, but then BTG has a wide catchment because of it's faith criteria so all the friends will be used to travelling to each other.