SE London Secondary options overwhelming - US expats need guidance :)

[akdfromcalitouk]

We are an American family who has lived in SE London since we moved here in 2019. Our children attend Oakfield (we love it!) and my son is about to enter Y6.

The secondary school process is overwhelming and we are coming into this experience fairly blind (in the US you either go to state school or an independent, but the vast majority of independents are not selective- you just pay!)

We will apply to indies and are open to state schools, though know very little about the secondary school state sector. We prefer co-ed and local (no hour long shuttle or long journeys preferred!)

What co-ed secondaries are down to earth with a strong sense of community?

We like St. Dunstan's, and our headteacher encouraged DS applying to Alleyn's (DS is a strong mathematician.) As a family we wholeheartedly care about the whole child, enjoyment of childood, and a love of learning.

Are there other local-ish indies we should be looking at? Appreciate insight about this whole experience!

You really need to hurry up, you are missing deadlines as we speak!

@mytuppennyworth , I feel good about our current options. Thanks. :)

Open evenings you can book for Norwood School. They should be able to answer any scholarship questions:
https://www.thenorwoodschool.org/page/?title=Greenhouse&pid=49

For Kingsdale I think the scholarship application is around October.

Alleyns key dates:
https://www.thenorwoodschool.org/page/?title=Greenhouse&pid=49

Emanuel key dates:
https://www.thenorwoodschool.org/page/?title=Greenhouse&pid=49

The indies have September open mornings, but they can get booked up quickly - especially Emanuel.

I think Alleyns, St Dunstans and Emanuel make a good mix of selective and less selective options.
A lot of Oakfiekd kids go to Royal Russell, so you might want to look at that too, though its further away.

Feel free to PM me.

Exams for the independents are around Christmas. Colfes is another south east London option. It is hard to get much insight into the se London independents on mumsnet. Many more threads are about the schools in other parts of London or threads are quite old. We applied to St D and Colfes this last year, happy to answer any questions about process via message. Despite info at their open days in Sept/Oct/Nov it can all feel v opaque.

I have 2 maths nerds at Kingsdale, happy at school. Different years don’t mix- some really good teachers- trips- events- options- we choose Kingsdale over a local private school, too many days off in private schools, friends choose the private school for the SEN provision.

also workshops at Imperial College for Kingsdale Maths Scholars

Our eldest is at St Dunstan’s. Is great school. Feel free to direct message me if you’d like.

Hi I hope you managed to get your son in the right school for him. As for St Dunstans you have to live it to experience it. I haven't heard anything negative from my daughter and she started in September 24. People will have their own opinion about a school, without actual proof of their own experience.