Really conflicted guys (moving to Watford)

[EAI]

hey guys,

apart from the really obvious schools that are part of the Watford consortium - what other decent state secondary schools are there within this area?

I know Busheymeads in Bushey is decent enough but apart from that is there anything else?

honestly, you have to be like half a mile away from each of these grammar schools. Would love to have other options available, instead of putting all my eggs in one basket.

Not sure what you mean about having to be on the doorstep of the grammars. We have several friends whose children take the train there every day from a good few miles away.

I think those are kids that have received admissions based on their 11 plus grades or musical ability. As far as the information on schools website is concerned, most of them have a maximum of like 0.6 miles.

Or maybe even lived closer previously then moved.

Something is amiss there. Lots come from as far away as Pinner and have always lived there.

But yes, they are 11+ passes.

Where abouts will you be living in Watford?

What are your key 'wants' out of the school - academic, pastoral, SEN, sport focussed, walkable distance etc?

There are some good schools around Watford. It much depends on what you're looking for. Is the school choice going to drive where you move to, or do you have an area and want to know what the schools local to there are like?

I wonder if their admissions criteria has changed recently or maybe I have just misread something.

Hey,

so one of my daughters is sports driven ( I have signed her up for the sports apitude test in September for queens). The other is more academic. Getting to school for them won’t be an issue. I will be dropping them.

I mean I don’t think Bushey or rickmonsworth other surrounding areas. I just need at least two or three good schools around so that if they she dosnt get into one, there are backups

I mean I don’t think we will be moving to rickmondsworth or bushey - it would be their surrounding areas *

South West Herts Consortium is a collection of part selective schools. You basically sit an 11 plus type test (maths and verbal reasoning) and each school then has its own entrance criteria.

So, for example Watford Boys will accept a percentage on the highest score for their inner catchment, and a different percentage for highest score outer catchment. Same for music. Then another percentage of places for closest to school. Siblings. And then distance. Usual rules for SEN and children of staff etc.

So, if your child scores high on academic or music, they can pretty much pick their school. Otherwise, you are best living within the distance which offered over the last few years.

You have to look at each school website for their criteria, and their recent scores/distance etc.

If you can get your head around it, you are fine. Queens is good, Ricky very good. Boys and Girl's grammars great, but harder to get into. Otherwise, you are looking out towards Chorleywood and Abbots Langley.

Pm me if you like.

What area of watford?
Because that does matter as regards to catchment .

In year application ? Because you need space in the right years groups, preferably in the same school.

Only one I'd definitely try to swerve is Francis Coombe or futures academy, it's latest incarnation.

Honestly, I am currently looking for places to rent online, so pretty flexible. If I like the property and see a couple of good schools, that’s where I shall move.

@EAI were you able to finalize the place in Watford for secondary schools perspective. I am in same situation as yours, in year admission in Apr'25 as moving from India. Need to rent a house on basis of the best non grammar school availability. Need catchment area where I can have 2-3 backup schools. Pls help