Where should we move for good state secondary education?

[Peewee233]

This feels like an impossible task right now because the choices seem endless!

We currently live in the North West- there are two good grammars but woeful comps in the area. We’ve decided to move for various reasons but the quality of education here being one reason. The primary school education has not been great, our kids are bright but we feel like they’ve been let down. The lack of investment in the north is definitely evident here and a big contrast to where we lived near Oxford.

Due to recent events we are now quite flexible with where we move to. We’re looking to move to a town/village near a town with access to a number of good/excellent state secondary schools.

We’ve considered a move to the midlands/gloucestershire/Shropshire/Leicestershire, loads of places really.

Can anyone recommend somewhere that is lovely to live but also strategic for secondary schools?

Northern Ireland. Grammar system here (almost) across the board but about 40-45% of pupils go to Grammar so it’s not the super selective issue like it is in England. There are also some Grammars harder to get into with higher intakes etc and some much easier to get into. Also fantastic non-selectives which get brilliant results. There are a few schools across the country to avoid but for the most part our schools are excellent here with a high level of parental choice for larger/smaller schools, single sex/co-ed, faith/non-faith, schools strong on sport/music etc.

So 3 out of every 4 kids don't get into a grammar?

I might have misunderstood the OPs posts but she doesn't want a grammar/selective school.
I'm not sure why so many people are recommending places with a grammar system, even if it's not 'super selective'
The OP wants recommendations for decent comps. These are likely to be places/counties where there isn't a grammar system in place.

@shockeditellyou Still not bad as in comparison with superselectives where it is less than 1 percent. Only 1 kid got this year from our school. And it is Outstanding primary. Most even don't try at all as there is no chance. Only geniuses or kids seriously hothoused for years get in.
But here in London we do have also other good state schools as hardly anybody gets into superselective grammars.
The problem with county grammars in Kent, Bucks etc is that they impact local schools. Because almost 25 perc top performing kids are accepted at grammars then it results in the fact that the comprehensive schools are not performing very well. Not good, not good as it is social segregation.

Yeh that was my reading of it too tbh. But then I am not a fan of grammar schools so maybe my views are colouring my reading.

Thank you. Yes, I went to a grammar and it was great but I’m not impressed by the current intense tutoring required to get in, so I’m looking for recommendations for areas with recommended comps.

Horsham in West Sussex has excellent comprehensive schools - particularly Millais although that is girls only. The sixth form college, Collyers, is also very good and most go on there.

On the main line to London but also nearish to the sea and some lovely open countryside. The town centre itself has some lovely parts and most places are easily walkable for teenagers/young adults.

How about some parts of West Yorkshire? Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Guiseley have all got good schools. Skipton has single sex grammars but I don’t think anyone is over tutored as the comp options are good and lots choose not to them. Ilkley and Otley schools are called grammars but are non-selective.

Thanks everyone! Is anyone familiar with Shrewsbury or Gloucestershire and can recommend somewhere lovely with good schools?

I live in Oxfordshire. There are lots of excellent schools here (fewer in Oxford itself).