house move best London state secondaries for boys

[happyhippo82]

Just that really. We need to move house and the main factor is trying to find the best secondary for DS. Cannot afford private or religious schools - and really not sure that he'd pass an exam for Grammar. So if you have to move (ideally zones 2-3) which one would you target? Our local comp is terrible and everything else around here is private. Most of our friends have moved out of London for schools, but we're very reticent to do so.....any suggestions???

But those areas are not in Zones 2-3 like the OP asked, are they?

With your budget I would look at Dulwich area for Charter School although catchment is tiny, Kingsdale is close but places are allocated on a lottery basis. Personally I would stay away from forest hill, the area is great but the schools are not. If you would think about moving further out Beckenham/West Wickham are great for schools, there is Langley Park, Eden Park, Harris Academy, Hayes which are all fantastic schools.

@PatienceVirtue

Everyone who moves for secondaries from here goes for Alexandra Palace or Fortismere (the latter seems to be the one on the up, Fortismere historically v middle class).

I was going to post the same

@Letmedowneasy - I was also surprised. It's such a family area, but the schools seem bad - I dont get it. It might, of course, get better by the time my one gets to GCSEs but who knows

@happyhippo82 since the overground extended it's become more popular with young families, the primaries are nearly all fantastic but as those children get older it's a different story once you start looking at secondary.

I would discount the whole Sydenham/forest hill area! Either look at Dulwich or further out, both are great options.

@Letmedowneasy - so what does everyone do? Do they really all leave? Even in our case, it will be a shame to leave our little area, but its literally pay or pray where we are - or a really failing school. It will be heartwrenching for my little boy to leave everyone but we dont have a choice. DH bought our current place well before we even got together, so schools were not really a consideration back then.

happyhippo82

Off the top of my head:
Graveney in Tooting (SW17) you need to be really near.
Fortismere - Muswell Hill (N10) expensive, zero change from £1.2.
Alexandra Park School - Bounds Green (N11) / Muswell Hill boarders. Have to live very, very close.
Dame Alice Owen - Potters Bar. Not in zone 2 /3, but they take 20 pupils from the borough of Islington every year.
Chestnut Grove Academy - Balham (SW12) much improved, also have art scholarships.
There are also some in East Finchley which people speak highly of and might be worth a look.

I'd recommend it 100%

@DownToTheSeaAgain - glad to hear that your DC are enjoying it. There are now two of them arent there?

@Soma thats a super helpful list - thank you

There are many less selective private schools. I’d investigate spending money on those rather than on solicitors’ fees, estate agents, stamp duty (probably the first year’s fees by itself on a 1.2mill house!) not to mention the hassle of moving...

As another poster mentioned you’ll be paying £64,000 in stamp duty alone, plus other costs, you’re probably looking at around 80K

@Chickoletta, @Doodar - am just a bit reticent to force my son to be tutored etc. Of the less academic I've only heard of Forest and Kew House in London. Please let me know if you can think of any other.

I wouldn't mind moving house - DH had it from before we got together and am sort of excited about finally getting my own place, but it will be a bit sad to leave all our lovely friends and local connections. It can be difficult to make roots in a new place even if it is still the same city. But it will probably be good for us in the long run

Alexandra Park School is a great school (although I'm biased because my children go there). You'd need to buy somewhere within about a 0.5 mile radius but you should be able to get a house or large flat for that budget. (eg, www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89841287.html)

There used to be a few streets in between Fortismere and APS where you could be close enough to get into either school but I'm not sure if that's still the case.

Totally understand your thinking.

@owlmummy that looks like quite a nice one. Would you say that AP is by now nicer/better than Fortismere? Their results are almost identical, but I've read on MN that Fortismere is no longer as popular. A friend has also recommended the Archer in EFinchley - is that any good?

Will try to visit a few of them in a few months when this is over.

Has anyone also heard of the West London Free?

Wren Academy is sought after too, but it maybe too far out, Finchley.
secondary.wrenacademy.org/

@happyhippo82 there is Charter North and Charter East which is quite new. DC go to the more established Charter North. They operate almost entirely separately as far as I understand.

APS is supposed to be one of the best schools in Europe apparently, it’s overtaken Fortismere in popularity. Houses are a bit cheaper around APS than Fortismere. Heartlands cones up in the league tables but I’ve not heard anyone gushing about it.
There’s also Highgate Wood school in Crouch End, again a small catchment area.

The Archer is also good.

Page 35 for places offered on distance
www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/secondary_admissions_booklet.pdf

Barnet here
www.barnet.gov.uk/sites/default/files/allocation_table_2020.pdf

I think more people apply to APS than to Fortismere, so I think it is more popular now. They are quite different schools. APS calls itself old fashioned about discipline, they are strict on uniform and behaviour but at the same time their pastoral care is excellent. They are a very inclusive school, my son has an EHCP and their SEN support has been brilliant for him. My daughter is much more academic and is also doing really well there.

I don’t know a great deal about Fortismere as I didn’t consider it. I think they are less strict and their pastoral care isn’t as good as APS.

I would recommend seeing both if you can, people tend to like one or the other. Go to the day time viewings as well as the evening sessions. If they take place this year!

I’ve heard the Archer is good but I don’t know anyone there and I didn’t go to see it.

Move to Tufnell Park and send him to Acland Burghley? It’s liberal and a bit scruffy but has a good reputation locally. Although it’s the sort of school some parents avoid so I guess it depends what sort of family you are.

Ideally, am looking for somewhere where it's cool to study.....DS is bright enough but speaking from personal experience it's just so much easier to study when everyone else does and when teachers assume that kids do well and go far. I also value a local school and local friends which is yet another reason why I wouldn't want him to go private, grammar or religious as kids tend to come from afar and again this is from personal experience.

I do wonder when tours will be allowed again. Doing research remotely is great but obviously nothing replaces seeing a place in person

The culture at the secondary schools I know of are very strict on behaviour in class. I only know of Fortismere, APS, and HWS though. DS is at one of the above and disruptive kids are moved on, not that this is always the answer but the schools are so results driven. The kids who were disruptive in primary, 4 in DS year, only 1 is still at his school.