GIRLS secondary state, independent and grammar schol options for brixton/tulse hill based

[SwLma]

Hi all. I'm keen to hear from others based near us who have been through this or who will be going through it for 2021 secondary school applications. Do we stand a chance?!

We live in a bit of a black hole (didn't get any of my six nearby primary school choices years ago) so have been carefully navigating the world of admissions policies etc to help my daughter secure a good secondary school place. I'm confident we'd get into Evelyn Grace or St Martin's on distance but they are not my schools of choice. Which then leaves the long shots (on distance and religion)- La Retraite, Grey Coat and perhaps Harris girl's? My preference is a girl's school but if I consider co-ed, I've heard lots of positives about Charter and Kingsdale although I've not visited either.

Burntwood which I attended moons ago when living in sw2 I think may be a bit far out by today's standards.

We live at least 9 miles from the nearest grammar schools but is it still worth a shot? Henrietta Barnett, Wallington and Nonsuch are one's I am researching.
Finally I'm also considering indies. GDST schools and jags so far.

Anyone able to offer insight into any of the schools mentioned or advice? And yes, we've been doing practice papers.

Charter and Kingsdale both well worth a look.

If your DD is sporty or musical, then Kingsdale have scholarships on offer that not only give you rather a lot of goodies in terms of lessons and masterclasses, but also can get you out of the lottery aspect if they score high enough to be ranked in the top 15% (a LOT of kids sit the tests).

If you are interested in pursuing the state scholarship route, then Camden School for Girls, St Marylebones, Haberdashers New Cross Gate, West London Free and a number of others all have options of that sort. Graveney is another in that area, plus the language test at Grey Coats.

DD sat for most of them last year so feel free to PM me if you want any info. She also had very definite likes and dislikes - well worth visiting the schools when the world returns to normal.

I was fairly bored of maths classrooms by the end, but there were a few standouts in both directions and not necessarily what I expected.

I didn't look at Sydenham Girls - but that comes highly rated.

On the indie front, I know people with places or at JAGS, Alleyns and Emmanuel.

La Retraite: I know families of non-Catholic girls who are very happy with it.
Burntwood: I hear it's excellent and the 690 bus goes there from Brixton.

Streatham and Clapham High: Don't know any girls there, but worth a look.
Wallington: Train from Loughborough Junction, but not sure of length of journey. Excellent school, know of a couple of happy kids there.

Are you within 9 miles from Orpington? Is Newstead Wood Grammar an option? DD is loving the school and girls come from various places along the southeastern railway network. I suspect you may just be outside the 9 mile distance criteria but mention it just in case.

There is Virgo Fidelis in Crystal Palace - all girls RC school.

Worth trying for a test based place at Graveney

Thanks for the responses so far all, really helpful. I’ll PM you @OhCrumbsWhereNow

The hardest bit is trying to work out the likelihood of securing a state or grammar place based on distance. I’ve looked at the ‘furthest distance’ accepted last year for most of my schools of choice and it isn’t looking great for us. Not going to give up hope though! I’m not in a position to move.

We visited Streatham & Clapham High and Jags last year which we liked for different reasons. I preferred the head’s talk at Jags and the openness of the girls (less on stats) but felt comfortable in SCGH.

We were due to visit Wimbledon High and Sydenham high (incl a taster day) but what with the current situation they were cancelled. Just means I’m more anxious having only a month or so once LA applications open.

I thought Virgo Fidelis was an indie but just read otherwise so thanks @bookmum08. I used to catch the 690 😁 and hated it after a few weeks due to the screaming and bitching but a good shout, will continue to consider Burntwood.

@PettsWoodParadise we’re about 10.4 miles from Orpington.

My DD particularly enjoys science (set on a career in medicine) and loves maths, English/creative writing and drama.. She likes to challenge herself but can get worked up if she doesn’t quite get something (we’re working in this). My ideal would be a 100 or so intake school which has struck a good balance between academic and pastoral care.

Please keep the advice, suggestions and insight into schools of choice coming. I really appreciate it!

100 intake is considered small for a state school. DD’s grammar takes 160 and that is one of the smaller ones. Some very small schools are unable to offer such a broad curriculum so I wouldn’t focus on size. A local GDST school takes around 100 a year at senior school but bear in mind, some of that cohort is the junior school going upto senior.

Are there state secondaries with only 100 intake? You wouldn't get the variety of teachers you need for secondary provision with that surely?

Hi OP, I went to Sydenham High and it was lovely! It's small, and has fantastic pastoral care. I was there from 5 - 18 and had a wonderful time

That said, my info is (ahem) nearly 2 decades a tad old

I’ve seen quite a few with around 100 or so intake but to stress, it is only a preference at this stage based on what I feel would suit my dd best, not a dea breaker whatsoever. I appreciate a larger intake has many positives.

@Rostbif that made me laugh as my experience of burntwood is nearly as old!

I would also recommend Sydenham High School, lovely pastoral care, good results, not too big or snooty or pressured. JAGS definitely has a different feel much more dulwichy and alot more intense.

Newstood wood might be an option though would be a bit of a trek (train from Brixton to Orpington then walk).

You wont get into the Sutton grammars from there unless your dd is brilliant - and you will know if this is the case. So if you are in with for a shout of one of the GDST 50% scholarships then go for the grammars - otherwise I really wouldnt bother. In catchment is a different kettle of fish of course, then you just have to be clever and heavily tutored!