Recommend a mixed secondary in London

[CarouselRider]

Is it possible to find a good mixed state secondary school in London? Does anyone recommend their child's school?

We are looking for one and willing to move so area not an issue. However we are not churchgoers and so a church school not a great fit. The only high achieving state secondaries I ever find in my research are single sex or Catholic, neither of which will work for us.

The Charter School North Dulwich. You need to live right by it though.

Ah yes I'm that's on my radar. Thank you. Tight catchment area

Hayes Secondary in Bromley?

Alexandra Park School in Muswell Hill.

In my borough (Richmond Upon Thames) all of the mixed non-faith secondaries are either already Ofsted Good/Outstanding or said to be improving rapidly from RI and likely to get a Good at their next inspection.

@trambling

In my borough (Richmond Upon Thames) all of the mixed non-faith secondaries are either already Ofsted Good/Outstanding or said to be improving rapidly from RI and likely to get a Good at their next inspection.

Outstanding: Orleans Park Good with Outstanding in some areas: Turing House, Richmond Upon Thames School. Good: Richmond Park Academy, Hampton High RI but said to be Improving rapidly: Teddington School, Twickenham School

I know families with kids at most of them and they all do well.

trambling - you left Grey Court out of that list. It is also Outstanding.

Of course, yes, sorry!

Kingsdale - but lottery entry unless you are musical or sporty enough to get one of those places.

Acland Burghley in Tufnell Park is great if your kids have creative interests

Can you narrow it down by area at all?

You would have to move a year before starting secondary in order to be in catchment for the application, but then won't that mean commuting to your existing primary school for that year? So you would not want to move too far away?

Loads of good mixed schools to be found in London, so narrowing your search to areas that you like would help. Our eldest is in y7 in Chiswick and we're all very happy so far. As already mentioned Richmond/Kingston has good schools too.

I think the answer to your question also depends on what good looks like to you. What factors make a good school for you: e.g. Ofsted ratings, academic performance, focus on science, extra curricula provision, pastoral care, sports, art, music, drama, multicultural, community, SEN provision, a large school, a smaller school etc, etc. It’s partly about a good school for your child.

www.alexandrapark.school

If you like south London, move to Tooting, as close to Graveney as you can

Or you could try Bolingbroke (between the Commins) but it prioritises feeder primaries, so that might not work for you

I hear great things about Seven Kings School in Ilford

@QGMum

I think the answer to your question also depends on what good looks like to you. What factors make a good school for you: e.g. Ofsted ratings, academic performance, focus on science, extra curricula provision, pastoral care, sports, art, music, drama, multicultural, community, SEN provision, a large school, a smaller school etc, etc. It’s partly about a good school for your child.

Ok so to refine the question more: We can commute within zones 1-3 or 1-4. High academic achievement whilst also valuing creativity and not looking down on the arts subjects. Promotes expression and hard work I guess. Diverse school community. Non religious. Co-educational.

Thanks for these excellent suggestions!

Holland Park School?

Thomas Tallis near Blackheath? Has a large catchment as it's huge but a great reputation locally and heavy focus on music and the arts.

The problem with some of the highest rated secondaries is that they put enormous pressure on their students to maintain that reputation, some parents like that, some don't.

Glenthorne High School is a National Teaching School with a performing arts stream and a very affordable catchment in Sutton (zone 4). However, if your children get in on performing arts, then you can live further away.

Cheam High School is another highly regarded co-ed school but mainly zone 5. The trains go to Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras so plenty of commuting options.

I can also second Orleans Park as an all around successful co-ed school. Zone 5 but the trains from Twickenham are quite quick.

Orleans is impossible to get into unless you live within the one mile catchment.

@PipaJJ

One mile isn’t too bad... With some schools, you’d need to move within 1km to be on the safe side.

@QGMum

Holland Park School?

God, no - unless you are rich and famous, in which case your kid will thrive. Otherwise, no.

Holland Park is over 30% pupil premium.

Second Graveney.