Selection at U.K. secondaries (for the oblivious!)

[googoogaga1]

Hiya,

Just moved from Oz back to 🇬🇧 Sth London to be exact.

What are the different types of schools that now operate in this part of the capital?

DH is from this part of the world originally and would like DS1 to go to a non-grammar but still selective school as opposed to a non-selective regular local school

DH has proposed Gordon’s military college in Woking, The John Fisher School (Croydon), and London Oratory School in Central London.

We don’t have the budget to go for the local inde (Dulwich College) as we have DS2 to think about.

Thanks in advance.

You would have to look at the schools' admissions policies and see where your DC would fit into them. Those schools are not exactly next door to each other, but since the first two are RC, I assume that 'being RC' will count more highly than proximity to school. However, all state schools must abide by the Admissions Code and admit students only according to their published admissions criteria, although you do have the right to appeal any decision not to award your child at a place at any school you applied for (however far down the criteria they rank).

It would be a good idea to check out your local community schools as well; you will find their details and how the admissions process works on your local authority's website.

Gordons isn't selective.
It's a state school, which has a boarding section but it's oversubscribed.

I believe a few people get in who haven't put a tent up in the grounds but I've rarely met any.

Admissions information is not secret. All schools publish admission information on their websites. I suggest you read the websites of schools within a reasonable travelling distance from you.

London Oratory and St John Fisher are catholic schools and you'd need to a very practising catholic to stand any chance of getting in.

In the state system you have faith schools (London Oratory), which select by faith, selective schools (grammars) or comprehensive schools.

The Oratory is not academically selective. It selects by degree if Catholic credentials and on a lottery (amongst all those eligible). You have to be a very committed practicing Catholic to get in.

If you live in Dulwich you are in reach of some Kent / Bexley / Bromley Grammars (aka selectives) but have missed the 11+ test deadline that this required if you are looking to start Yr 7 in 2019.

In Dulwich you also have extremely good comprehensives. The Charter School. Any child with a chance of a selective place would be in top sets, both Charter and Kingsdale get very good results. There are a few scholarship places at Kingsdale awarded on aptitude in Music and Sport. If you are further west and on catchment for Dunraven that is another excellent comprehensive school.

You need to study the admissions criteria for every school you are interested in. And visit them (some are still holding open days).