Secondary state schools in Watford

[TheGoldRobin]

Hey mums...we are planning to move to Watford from India in Mar '25 and we have zeroed down on Watford on basis of below criterion. Pls guide/suggest

1. Staying in London is very expensive, our max budget - fully furnished flat - 2bhk is 2000 pm and comparative more space
2. Commute to London via public transport should be around 1 hour
3. More schools around that area considering we will be moving mid session (April 25) with 12 year and 9 year old
4. Some scope of getting 12 year old one in grammar school for grade 8 based on vacancies available in the next academic session (sep 25)
5. Strong community spirit

If you think from your knowledge there are some other that we can explore considering above criterion... Pls pls pls suggest... We just have 2-3 months before we move and we are really confused.

Hi,

Good luck on your move.

The hardest will be getting your older child into a grammar school as the 11+ exam takes place in September of year 6 and it is very competitive to get in.
You'd most likely to be allocated a non grammar school as those are more likely to have places. There are lots of good schools though.

Commute to London it's about 20 minutes into London Euston from Watford Junction. Plenty of trains and it's nice and easy.

The Facebook group Watford families starting secondary school is really useful about the 11+ system which is quite complicated and many schools use it not just the grammar. As well as the academic test some schools have music and sports tests.

Check out this group https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/index.php
THey are really helpful about grammar school exams and 11+
If you contact the school in advance they sometimes allow the exams to be taken after the September dates. However, everyone will be allocated by March, so you definitely need to talk to them before.

Worth noting our system is different to other grammar areas as the schools also take children on sibling rule and distance rule meaning there are fewer academic places than other areas and it varies each year e.g. some years have more siblings.
This grid shows what happened in previous years.
To get in on distance it is certain postcodes only and you'd have to prove you lived there a certain amount of time, so you'd have to rule out distance as you'd be new to the area.

I know lots of families that have gone to schools not on this list and have been very happy. It's worth looking what your official nearest school is to the address you are moving to as that is likely to the one you are allocated first if moving mid-year.

Hi there,

Hertfordshire does not have grammar schools (although the boys and girls schools in Watford retain the name). Most schools in Watford come under the South West Herts consortium (if you google that you’ll find their website) and as pp said the entrance exams are in September. As far as I know all of the schools on the consortium are over subscribed and all very good. The forum suggested up thread is very helpful. Good luck.

Thanks ladies for the information provided above, but I am still confused on certain things....

Getting mid session admission in grammar school seems to be impossible....

My daughter will complete her grade 6 in India in March'25. If we move to London in April'25 and start applying to non grammar state secondary schools do you think she will get admission in any good or good or excellent rating school and generally after how many days council ensures that kid gets admission in any 1 school.

Should we rent house on basis of schools availability or should we find schools on basis of our finalized home...seems to be chicken and egg story...

Each area of England does things differently. Depending what borough of London you're thinking of have a look at their websites and you can get an idea of the criteria to get in to various schools.

If you're still thinking of Watford you'd need Hertfordshire who have in year school places here https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/school-admissions/in-year-admissions-change-schools-during-the-year/school-vacancies/vacancies-in-hertfordshire-schools.aspx

Most schools have waiting lists but some can move fairly quickly

The Facebook group I mentioned above are really helpful