Hi parents
I will be moving to London soon and im having a hard time finalising which area to choose. Im supposed to select 3 boroughs to submit to my husbands company and while ive selected Kingston and Richmond, im struggling with choosing the third. Im looking for areas that have plenty of good state secondary schools for my daughter and the area is also lively and safe. My husbands work will be mostly work from home but may have some trips to bankside but we would want to prioritise on school. Ive shortlisted the following and was hoping you all could help me with your experience and pros and cons.
Ealing
Sutton
Merton (wimbledon)
Harrow
Please help this struggling mom
P.s also open to better suggestions
Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.
Secondary education
Help choosing area for state secondary school
MomofSS · 24/03/2024 13:53
Which borough would you recommend for good state secondary schoo
14 votes. Final results.
POLLrupertthebairn · 24/03/2024 13:59
OP, have you read some of the many past threads on this topic? They might help. The advanced search feature will help you find them.
ThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 14:02
I don’t think Harrow has many decent state secondaries. Plenty for private, but not state.
Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 24/03/2024 16:52
Should say that will likely be the case in other boroughs too. So if you want a state school you are better off finding which ones may have places which can be done by emailing or calling the local councils.
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 16:38
Where on Earth are you hearing that? So many outstanding state secondaries in the borough. Look up Nower Hill, Whitmore or Pinner High for just starters. Then there’s also Bentley Wood which is an all girls school a little further out that takes places on lottery.
you do have to live pretty close to the school to get a place though.
my personal experience is with Nower Hill which just retained its outstanding ofsted at Christmas. GCSE options cover the whole spectrum from childcare, hospitality and PE to astronomy, classical civilisation, citizenship, Latin and Ancient Greek.
Above average GCSE results generally and excellent progress 8, but the others Ive mentioned have amazing reputations too.
ThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 14:02
I don’t think Harrow has many decent state secondaries. Plenty for private, but not state.
OneHeartySnail · 24/03/2024 17:02
Also close to Morden underground, a diverse community, DD travels on public transport without concern. Overground links as well. Plenty of solid inter-war family housing!
MomofSS · 24/03/2024 17:12
That sounds attractive, i could look into it thank you 🙂
OneHeartySnail · 24/03/2024 17:02
Also close to Morden underground, a diverse community, DD travels on public transport without concern. Overground links as well. Plenty of solid inter-war family housing!
Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 24/03/2024 16:50
How old is your daughter? The outstanding state secondaries in Richmond are typically full so you would likely be offered a place at a less good school. I’m surprised if your husbands company is offering relocation advice that they are not offering to cover private school fees.
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 16:38
Where on Earth are you hearing that? So many outstanding state secondaries in the borough. Look up Nower Hill, Whitmore or Pinner High for just starters. Then there’s also Bentley Wood which is an all girls school a little further out that takes places on lottery.
you do have to live pretty close to the school to get a place though.
my personal experience is with Nower Hill which just retained its outstanding ofsted at Christmas. GCSE options cover the whole spectrum from childcare, hospitality and PE to astronomy, classical civilisation, citizenship, Latin and Ancient Greek.
Above average GCSE results generally and excellent progress 8, but the others Ive mentioned have amazing reputations too.
ThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 14:02
I don’t think Harrow has many decent state secondaries. Plenty for private, but not state.
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 18:05
I’ve lived here twenty years and never even heard of East Harrow! North, South and West Harrow are all places on the map, as is Harrow on the Hill (where the boys school is) but for some strange reason there is no East Harrow… (except as a constituency)
EditedTiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 19:17
Harrow Weald? Or further out?
clary · 24/03/2024 19:38
Hey @MomofSS no suggestions better than the ones here but just to flag - if your DD is 10 (and turns 11 before August this year) and going into year 6 in September, you apply for secondary by 31 October this year. I'm mentioning this just because you mentioned 'next year' for applying in a post. You will need to be in your London address by the time of application in Oct 2024, ie in six months' time, for the best chance of a place.
EditedThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 19:30
Part I’ve highlighted yellow. That’s east Harrow?
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 19:17
Harrow Weald? Or further out?
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NeedToKnow101 · 24/03/2024 20:06
Some very good schools in Haringey, primary and secondary, but with tiny catchment areas.
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 20:15
No it’s never called that. They’re called the areas listed. But anyway, we’re derailing the thread.
Nower Hill is in North Harrow (Headstone north on the map shown) Whitmore is in West Harrow and Pinner High is in Pinner.
ThisAngelWearsPrada · 24/03/2024 19:30
Part I’ve highlighted yellow. That’s east Harrow?
Tiredalwaystired · 24/03/2024 19:17
Harrow Weald? Or further out?
clary · 24/03/2024 19:38
Hey @MomofSS no suggestions better than the ones here but just to flag - if your DD is 10 (and turns 11 before August this year) and going into year 6 in September, you apply for secondary by 31 October this year. I'm mentioning this just because you mentioned 'next year' for applying in a post. You will need to be in your London address by the time of application in Oct 2024, ie in six months' time, for the best chance of a place.
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