Secondaries: State or Private around Blackheath area SE3? Opinions on these schools?

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I have a difference of opinion with my DH over education generally - in a nutshell husband thinks private is universally better and I would prefer state if possible. The irony is that I myself went to private school and husband went to state, and husband did much better than me and ended up at Cambridge! I think husband arrived at Cambridge and saw a lot of privately educated people with all their confidence and opportunities and feels he wants that for his son. I get it but I am keen for our son to be able to operate in the real world and mix with everyone. But we are keen to find a school which is very aspirational.

Anyway, that's the broad debate but it's not relevant just yet. Child is still early primary so as yet we don't know enough about his needs / attributes / interests but will obviously look for a school that suits him when the time comes.

I an ideal world there would be an amazing aspirational state school near us (similar to, say, Graveney in Tooting) and this would satisfy both me and my husband! However as yet it seems the main state options for us are
John Roan School
Thomas Tallis
Leigh Academy

Plus an array of private options. I know grammars in Kent are popular but we are not keen on the stress that the entry exam might induce.

What are the opinions on these school options?

We're in year 7 at John Roan. It certainly is aspirational. I believe they have 4 or 5 with Oxbridge offers in Geography alone this year. We are really happy with it. No bus journey, local friends, great architecture, lots of trips, plenty of extracurricular options, and good pastoral care.

John Roan has a policy of disruption free learning, but students are allowed to walk around in breaks and lunchtime, use the playground, library etc. I'm not sure where the 'not being allowed to walk around' rumour is coming from. Primary to secondary is a jump, wherever you go. They will have to sit still and listen.

This is a very my old post but DC is at SMA and doing v well. Just did a gcse a year early and got a top grade along with many peers. At primary many went off to grammar but I was keen to stay local so even though DC v bright he didn’t do 11+. Not holding him back at all. Lots of good schools round here if you can think beyond middle class ‘it has to be grammar’ mindset

That’s great to hear @Elizo well done to your DC

There are lots of great state schools round here - I didn't visit one I wasn't happy for DC to go to. I am like you, Oxbridge from a state comp, and think the more people who have a choice who stay local the better...good luck with your decision

Hi OP
We are in the area and have a child starting reception in September. Would you mind sharing (by pm if prefer) what primary school your dc has been at and what you think of it? Thank you so much for any advice. Obviously we have applied but I am thinking ahead about how to respond to the various possible outcomes! We live very near John Roan, there is quite a lot of chaos as the students leave the school but I think it’s improved and the buildings and facilities always seem quite impressive.

Hi everyone, would someone mind explaining please how the Bexley grammars work if you live in Blackheath or Westcombe park area. Does your DC need to get results that place them in the top 180? I wonder if many students from these areas actually attend grammar schools. If so, do private buses operate from these areas to the schools? Sorry for these silly questions. We are considering buying in either area and feel generally comfortable with the primary options but not as much about the state secondaries (although some reassuring posts here about John Roan) and don't think we will necessarily be able to afford private school fees. Any help greatly appreciated!

We are in Blackheath on the village side. Agreed the local state primaries are really very good but local secondaries are not as strong. I find their Ofsted results to be misleading as well, as several have the same rating while the level of learning versus disruption varies greatly. I would definitely recommend visiting in person over reputation if you do end up in this part of town.

It is not impossible to get into a Bexley grammar but it is a significant challenge. There is a lot of tutoring going on and there are more than 180 kids just in Blackheath trying to get the top 180 scores. Quite a few also do the Kent test. The schools are further but the transport is more straight forward so swings and roundabouts in some ways. (Bexley has the co-ed grammars though.) There are a few more getting spots than just the 180 but you need to be very high out of a very large number taking the test. It would be rare to get a place here without being comfortably greater depth in maths, reading, and writing and a decent amount of exam coaching to include the reasoning and test technique.

Rough percentages from our state primary are 5% to grammars, 10% to independents, and the rest to state, mostly local.

Most of the independents run private coach services, but everyone I know at a grammar is making their way by public transport, carpool, or taxi. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist - I just don’t know anyone using one.

@CatatonicLadybug this is hugely helpful, thank you so much. What a shame that 85% attend local state options and they are not great. A couple more questions please if you don't mind. Are religious options any better (for example CoE schools)? Would be very interested to hear what you think about the local options. Please PM if you prefer that. Lastly, do you know many families near Westcombe park Station? We can of course get more for our money there but assume schools play a part in that. Is the grammar situation exactly the same there in terms of admissions (I know transport likely to be worse). Finding this a real minefield and moving is so expensive that don't want to make a very extensive mistake. Thank you again

@Mushi83 you don't need to be Top180 to get a Bexley Grammar place from SE3. But it is down o luck as to how far the catchment goes out each year. Bexley are quite good at publishing admission distances if you google. Given birth rates are going down, presumably the catchment areas should get bigger in the next few years too?

Kent have specific out of county scores which are higher - but not impossible for a bright kid to hit. Dartford Grammar is a fairly straightforward commute. HTH

@ChnandlerBong thanks very much. Very helpful to know. We are of course more likely to fall within the 85% but good to have the info

@Mushi83 not sure why you are fixating on the "85%" stat? That's just from one primary school. Where possibly only 10% of kids sat the Bexley exam.....

If you want a grammar school and have a bright kid who's happy to travel then it remains a real option.

@ChnandlerBong yes and that being a real option (if your child is academic) is super helpful to know. Just hard to know how real an option it will be in our circumstances but we will see. Thanks again

The CofE schools again seem to be more of the primaries are really sought after but by secondary age not so much. I know many people who made sure they were going to a certain church from when baby was born to increase their chance of a certain primary. I don’t know anyone who has done this for a secondary. Anecdotal but I’m on the PTA so I hear from more than I probably truly need in a social circle!

There are a couple posts on this board really singing the praises of St Matthew’s, and that is a faith school, but the behaviour at the school gates at home time is enough for me to wonder how anyone is having a successful time. They have a newish head who intends to make this school a stronger part of the community and I hope that does happen! But it will be a big job from how those students currently interact with others.

When looking toward Westcombe Park, do be mindful of the air quality. The junction that runs under the motorway near the IKEA is one of the worst spots for air quality in all of London and that’s more a factor on the property value than estate agents might let on. It’s not the entire area and there are some homes there with glorious gardens, but it’s just something to take care with, especially if anyone is asthmatic etc. Commuting to the grammars from WP would be similar, just a slightly different path.

For context with what @ChnandlerBong mentioned, my child is in the last year of increased birth rates locally and it falls off quite dramatically in the years that follow. That may work in your favour! But I would also say there’s evidence of more extensive tutoring as there are two businesses in the village now - one does all subjects and the other specialises in maths. On top of all the private tutors who don’t have a shop front.

Not sure how old your DC are, but it’s worth knowing the Montessori House on Westcombe Hill says Montessori for Autism on the outside but they take children of all types for a variety of after school options. They train teachers there to use Montessori methods to reach autistic children in the classroom, so that’s where the name comes from. May or may not be useful depending on age and what kind of school they are in currently.

Thanks again @CatatonicLadybug
Yes we did look at a house that felt too close to that busy road. I think houses in the area used to be exceptionally popular when halstow was outstanding. It seems to be less sought after now. Do you happen to know if any local churches have good Sunday schools? No worries if not and thanks for all the help

Yes, Halstow was hugely desirable when my DC was starting school and people would certainly buy or rent close to the school then move after securing a place (this happens in the village too but there are more school places here and it’s mostly people moving out toward Lee to have a garden). There has been less praise of Halstow since they became an academy but they are due an Ofsted inspection in the not so distant future and going back to Outstanding would bring back that attitude.

Sadly I have no info on Sunday schools. Hopefully someone will come along with some insight on that.