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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

In Year Secondary School Admissions - Orpington/Bromley Area - Year 7

11 replies

CKT6868 · 23/07/2022 20:22

I will be relocating to the Orpington area around October. I am a single full time working mum to my son who will just have started Year 7 in September, and I’ll be commuting a couple days a week into London. I know that I cannot apply for an in year secondary school place until I have moved (Bromley Council have confirmed this), we currently live around 2 hours away so getting him to school won’t be an option (he can remain with his dad for a short while but this can’t be a long term thing). It’s a huge change for both of us and I want to try and minimise the disruption to the start of his secondary journey as much as I can. Does anyone have any advice about the process, waiting lists, oversubscribed schools etc. I’m worried there won’t be any spaces for him and he’ll be on a waiting list for months or get offered a rubbish school 😞 I’ve no idea yet exactly what area we’ll be living, I’ve started looking at rentals but will just be what is available when we’re ready to move. I do have friends in the area so looking for specific advice/experience. Thank you

OP posts:
LadyLapsang · 24/07/2022 14:59

Is there any way you can bring your move forward to August? Otherwise everyone who has moved over the summer will be dealt with first.

PettsWoodParadise · 25/07/2022 21:59

Good luck with the move. There will be spaces but unlikely to be at one of the more popular schools unless you meet one of the criteria like distance and are right at the top. Harris Academy Orpington is often the school that will have places as it is undersubscribed. Ravens Wood is a good school for boys that traditionally goes out as far as Orpington in the usual round but you wouldn’t be near the top of the waiting list unless there is an ECHP or other high criteria. Darrick Wood is another Orpington school but popular so unless very close it will be unlikely you’d get it as an in-year place.

Bromley Council are quite good at providing a school place, it is then a case of seeing whether that is the right place longer term or you want to go on a waiting list for other schools.

On the rental front there is a shortage and tons of applications per rental property so another challenge for you. - sorry!

rene75 · 22/08/2022 19:49

hi there any thoughts on ravens wood or Darrick Wood for 6th form, for my son he has been offered both!

PettsWoodParadise · 22/08/2022 21:27

are both easy to get to? What did your son think on open days? My initial thought is that Ravens Wood will have more boys as that is what it is in the lower school. I know Ravens Wood had a good range of BTECs and it isn’t just A levels and they are good at those but not so familiar with Darrick sixth form choices.

rene75 · 23/08/2022 11:12

thanks for your response, appreciated

Original poster
CKT6868 · 23/08/2022 13:26

LadyLapsang · 24/07/2022 14:59

Is there any way you can bring your move forward to August? Otherwise everyone who has moved over the summer will be dealt with first.

Unfortunately not 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
CKT6868 · 23/08/2022 13:34

PettsWoodParadise · 25/07/2022 21:59

Good luck with the move. There will be spaces but unlikely to be at one of the more popular schools unless you meet one of the criteria like distance and are right at the top. Harris Academy Orpington is often the school that will have places as it is undersubscribed. Ravens Wood is a good school for boys that traditionally goes out as far as Orpington in the usual round but you wouldn’t be near the top of the waiting list unless there is an ECHP or other high criteria. Darrick Wood is another Orpington school but popular so unless very close it will be unlikely you’d get it as an in-year place.

Bromley Council are quite good at providing a school place, it is then a case of seeing whether that is the right place longer term or you want to go on a waiting list for other schools.

On the rental front there is a shortage and tons of applications per rental property so another challenge for you. - sorry!

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I am now aware of the rental shortage after having a tough couple weeks trying to even arrange any viewings! However I am hoping to secure a property in the Crofton/Petts Wood area, should know by the end of the week whether this is successful (fingers crossed)! This would mean we would just be in the catchment area for Darrick Wood. Bishop Justus, Ravens Wood would be the others I would likely choose just need a fourth. My son does not want to go to a grammar school so I am not considering those.

My concern is that he may be offered a place at Harris, Orpington as I know it will be undersubscribed as it is showing as requires improvement so obviously I am not keen for him to go there. You do need to apply separately for that school (this is stated on the in year application form) so if I don’t apply there direct (which I won’t) could Bromley Council still offer him a place there does anyone know?

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 23/08/2022 13:40

You do need to apply separately for that school (this is stated on the in year application form) so if I don’t apply there direct (which I won’t) could Bromley Council still offer him a place there does anyone know?

Yes, if there are no spaces at the schools you apply for and it is the nearest one with spaces. They have an obligation to offer a space somewhere, and that doesn't have to be be at one of your choices if they are full. You can stay on waiting lists for others, and appeal if you wish, of course.

Original poster
CKT6868 · 23/08/2022 13:44

PatriciaHolm · 23/08/2022 13:40

You do need to apply separately for that school (this is stated on the in year application form) so if I don’t apply there direct (which I won’t) could Bromley Council still offer him a place there does anyone know?

Yes, if there are no spaces at the schools you apply for and it is the nearest one with spaces. They have an obligation to offer a space somewhere, and that doesn't have to be be at one of your choices if they are full. You can stay on waiting lists for others, and appeal if you wish, of course.

Thank you. I would rather keep him with his dad temporarily and continue with his current school whilst on a waiting list for a better school, I’m just concerned this could be quite some time and I want him to move with me and be settled. More big decisions to make by looks of it :(

OP posts:
PettsWoodParadise · 23/08/2022 15:57

If your son stays with his father then he won’t be resident in your new area and so won’t qualify on any of the oversubscription criteria and so only undersubscribed schools would be available so you’d be looking at him staying with his father until end of GCSEs. I hope you can find a solution that works.

AnneElliott · 23/08/2022 17:26

Of you move to Petts wood you could try either Coopers or Bullerswood boys which are in Chislehurst. I don't know anything about that Harris but I used to live opposite one of their other schools and I agree I wouldn't send my DS there.

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