Grammars schools accesible from Herne Hill, North Dulwich,

[user1495443009]

Is there any coed or girls grammar school within easy commute from North Dulwich, Herne Hill, East Dulwich or West Dulwich. Also, what are the chances of getting a place from this area.

Sydenham Girls is the nearest I think - not too far.

You must already have done some research and know that there are some great non-selective schools in your area - The Charter School and its new sister school? the Elm Green school? Dunraven?

Not sure we are in the catchment for any of the local comprenhensives so want to have another option if possible

Sydenham girls isn't a grammar, it's a private school.

There are no grammars in Lewisham Borough, you need to look at bromley or bexley, or even out to kent.

Newstead Wood

Thanks

Sydenham girls is a state school. Sydenham High is the private school

I will look at Newstead Wood.

Direct train to Orpington from Herne Hill or West Dulwich. Lots of local girls on it every day.

Sorry yes always get that wrong. Neither are grammar schools anyway.

A few lewisham schools do music scholarships if she's musical? Kingsdale do music and sport. Not money scholarships, but admission.

State schools in south london don't have "catchments" as such, they're all home to school distance. Some have fairly wide intakes. They're all well thought of schools, i'd be suprised if there wasn't a good secondary nearby you have a reasonable chance of getting in.

You need to be within a nine mile radius for Newstead Wood. I know that a friend who lives Herne Hill was just out of that radius so do check before you go down that road. Accessible to you are the Surrey Grammars - these are Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for girls. There's also a selective stream at Greenshaw, which is a comprehensive. I think there are trains from Herne Hill going to these areas, there are no radiuses/catchment for these schools as far as I can remember (though if you are 'in borough' you will have priority) The test for all three schools is in September - it's just one test for all three schools called the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) - you need to pass the SET before being invited to take stage two which is towards the end of October. You have to apply to take the SET - from what I remember I had to hand in a form for my daughter to sit in by end of July.

Thank you

That's very useful. I will look at the Surrey Grammars. Also, if we are in the catchment for Newstead,

Is any of the Bexley Grammars or Tonbridge grammars accesible from Herne Hill/ Dulwich ? I am looking at Journey planner to the Surrey ones and it doesn't look easy. The only option seem to be Newstead Wood but I have read lots of mixed opinions about the school.

I dont think those schools are accessible, sorry OP. Newstead is oversubscribed - I think 1300 applicants for 160 places last year. So you would need some back up plan even if you did decide it was suitable.

It might be worth sitting the Wandsworth test to see if you can get a selective place at Grwveney (I think you can get by train from HH to Tooting)

Thank you. We will still apply the local comprenhensives but want to have another option. I know it is very competitive but she can always try. Will look at the Wandsworth test.

We may also consider private but again Alleyns and Jags are very competitive.

Sydenham high is lovely and not quite as competitive, if you're considering private.

You can get to Wallington pretty easily from Honor Oak/Brockley stations - it's about 35 mins, one change. Then they put on buses from Wallington station to Wallington High School for Girls. Yes, def look at Kent grammars - it's still a long way but trains do go direct to Dartford (for Dartford Grammar) from Nunhead station, (same trainline as Peckham Rye)

Although in catchment for Newstead etc I had also not heard great things and that put me off - though if you look on the 11+ forum there are many parents of happy girls at Newstead on there. It's a pretty mad forum in many ways but you will find loads of helpful info on there esp for Newstead and other Kent grammars..

Thanks

I am looking at directions to Wallington and it now seems like an option; not sure why it wasn't showing good journeys before; I am going a bit crazy with journey planner. Not sure how often do the trains go to Dartford from Nunhead/Peckham Rye for the Dartford Grammar.

I only want her to sit one grammar test otherwise it becomes too much so looking at the most reliable an easy journey and whether there is any chances to get a place from Dulwich. I need to decide between the Surrey one, newstead, Kent, or Wandsworth selective test for Graveney. Any advice from parents with children traveling to any of these schools from Dulwich will be great.

I will check the open days for Sydenham High as I also want her to sit the exam for one or two private schools; I haven't considered it before as the lack of good facilities put me off a bit; but should check it out first.

There are a number of girls in DD's class at NW who get the train from Dulwich and it seems a pretty easy journey and they get to make friends on the train. It is a ten to fifteen minute walk from the station to the school which doesn't faze most of the girls. DD sat three lots of grammar tests (Kent, NW and Bexley) plus one indie and that was fine for her, but you know your daughter best and what would suit her. Although the tests are fairly different - the indie one in particular they also have a lot in common.

Why would sitting more than one grammar be too much? - most are multiple choice only and relatively short vs the indie exams

I haven't got much experience with the tests so I thought sitting 2 independent and 3 to 4 grammars may be a lot but perhaps this is the what everybody does. I do however want to apply for the ones that are easier to commute to and there is a possibility to get a place from Dulwich. I am considering now Wallington, Newstead and Dartford grammars. I need to go and see them with my daughter. Wallington has an open day in June but not Newstead; will check Dartford.

Does anybody know what the school hours are on the above grammars.

Thanks for the advice.

www.newsteadwood.bromley.sch.uk/Parents/Times-of-the-School-Day/ - they can choose to arrive earlier and there are breakfast options too.

Thank you for the link PettsWood