Where can we find good non-religious comprehensive schools in London?

[kathy20122]

Hi all

We've been living in London for 15 years now and eldest DC is 9 so we're looking at secondary schools. It increasingly looks like we have to move out of the capital as it's all about pay or pray here. Almost everyone we know send their children to either grammar schools (with lots of tutoring before, during, and after the tests), private schools (same amount of tutoring) or faith schools (although most of them don't believe).

Is there anyone staying in the capital with comprehensive non-faith schools and are happy about them? Please can I have some recommendations?

Thanks

K

Yes, my dc go to non-religious secondary schools. Look at Camden school. Also looking at one in Hackney for my DS. There are some in Islington too - not sure how good they are. And likewise Stoke Newington. I know people with kids there. Where I live most people send their children to state schools - you need to move!

Also Fortismere in Muswell Hill is non-religious and vg.

Camden schools that should say - there are mixed sex and single sex schools for boys.

Thanks Sue

I was very interested in Fortismere then I read some reviews on this site that the school has lost its reputation and is now full of rich kids whose parents top up state education with tutoring. Is that still the case?

I'm looking to move to Hertfordshire or Surrey. People I know who send kids to comprehensive non-faith schools are all outside of London.

Oh, well I sent my kids to non-religious state schools in London and most people I know do too. I'm happy with my childrens' education mostly. They are at inner London comprehensive schools, and they are by their very nature mixed. And imo you're never going to be 100% happy. But for me, I'd rather bring my children up in London than move.

Not sure where you are, but I know people in Camden, Hackney and Stoke Newington who are all happy with their children's secondary education. My ds is in y6 and the majority of parents in the class are going the state route.

The people at Fortismere I know of, don't top up with tutoring and are reasonably happy with the school.

We live in Bromley. DD just started Y7 and we had two non-faith secondaries to choose from plus another one which could have worked in the second application round.

Friends live also in another area of the borough and there are two non-faith secondaries (boy/girl).

There are some but if you move strategically you can avoid them.

Holland Park Comp? But you'll need a W11 budget as it's distance-based...

Ealing borough has lots of good state secondaries.

Another vote for Camden here (specifically NW5 for widest choice of secondaries as well as some excellent primary schools). Otherwise Alexandra Park School is much sought-after, as are several schools in Barnet and Finchley. There are lots of recent-ish threads on here about N London schools, which it sounds like you've read!

Richmond has some good comprehensives- Orleans Park and Greycourt are both rated outstanding.

In Lewisham we have Sydenham Girls (non faith comp) and Prendergast (also girls). Kingsdale - though it moves in mysterious ways with regards to its admissions -is popular and mixed Southwark, and Haberdasher's Askes in Lewisham (New Cross) is mixed. Then there are two Charter Schools towards Dulwich that seem wildy popular.

My dd is at one of the above, and I'd be happy for her to be at any of them. The catchments are small in several cases though - and of course Kingsdale is a lottery. But yes, no need for us to be 'on our knees to avoid the fees' round here - we are committed churchgoers and a non-faith school suits us just fine.

oh yes, and the Langley schools in Bromley - which I suspect a poster above is referring to

In Barnet you have:
Ashmole - Outstanding
Compton - Outstanding
Alexandra Park - Outstanding
Friern Barnet - Good
Totteridge - Good
East Barnet- Good
Ark Academy opening Sept 19 in High Barnet
Archer Academy

Parliament Hill and William Ellis