Lambeth, school, help, which school, secondary

[freedomship]

Hi, we move to London in Streatham Hill, I would like any advice on secondary schools, ones to avoid or any that you would recommend. Maybe you have a child in a school that are doing really great things, I would love to hear about the different schools in Lambeth and hear from local people. Thank you.

Lambeth has many undersubscribed secondary schools.
Some say it's because they're not good, some say it's because many families have been leaving Lambeth, some say it's a mix.

You don't say what age your kid is, and if you are applying for a Y7 place or not.

From Streatham you might be able to reach schools in Wandsworth and Southwark, too.

There are some fantastic schools here. Many primary schools are excellent. Henry cavendish, Telferscot, penwortham are 3 but lots of others. Dunraven graveney…. It’s a good place to be.

Graveney is more than 2 kms from Streatham Hill station.
It is partially selective.
So, if OP is applying for a Y7 place, she stands no change of getting in by distance, and her only chance is if her child does well in the Wandsworth Test, a kind of 11+.
If she's applying for a year other than Y7, I have no idea how the system works.

Chestnut in Balham is also a good school, and also partially selective.
I think she may have had a chance, based on distance, if her child ends up in the top band of the Wandsworth test. The OP would need to check the "PREVIOUS YEARS’ ADMISSIONS AT WANDSWORTH SECONDARY SCHOOLS" documents on the council's website

Harris Clapham is undersubscribed

OP, no school will be good for every child.
What you want is to compare different feedback.
Welcome the feedback of those who are open and who admit what works and what doesn't.
Beware of those who say that wherever their little Johnny goes is the best school in the galaxy; these are the same people who will tell you that the 70-minute train commute from Crapford-on-shite isn't that bad and that they have never been happier than in Crapford:)

Lol @ParentOfOne Crapford-upon-Shite 😆

Definitely look into schools across the border like Kingsdale and Chestnut Grove. Within borough there is Trinity Academy. I know kids in all three and they say they're happy (I don't ask in front of their parents!)

Dunraven has a good rep, but I only know of one kid there and his mum says he's being bullied and they're not helping.

Norwood school seems nice. It's one to look at if your child doesn't suit a big busy school.

Elms Academy is crazy strict. As for the other secondaries, it's only hearsay so I can't comment fairly.

primary or secondary, state or private.

She said secondary.

For Streatham Hill, look at Dunraven (Leigham Ct Rd), Elm Green (behind Tulse Hill Station), Graveney (Tooting), Kingsdale (Dulwich - uses a banded lottery) and Chestnut Grove. I don't know anything about The Norwood School or Trinity.

Henry cavendish, Telferscot, penwortham are 3 but lots of others. Dunraven graveney…. It’s a good place to be.

Graveney and Penwortham are in Wandsworth

Are you moving in year? Lambeth is I believe one of the most impacted areas for falling roles. This isn't a good thing due to the way funding works & will have an impact on school performance. Dunraven definitely seems to be not doing as well as it used to.

What year are your dc in? You can phone up
any school within a distance you can travel
too and see if they have spaces.

You can compare schools here

www.compare-school-performance.se

Hi, she is already in year 7 so I would be applying for year 8. I also thought this that I am too far for Graveney but have no idea how they manage in year admissions.

Will be going into year 8 - every time I can they all say the same, there is a waitlist.

secondary schools

I will be applying for a September start - for year 8 - absolutely terrified to be honest, everyone you speak to at the school just seem so busy and can't help.

Dunraven is a good and solid choice for many especially if your Dc is into music and dance.

If you have Catholic credentials Bishop Thomas Grant is v good.

If there are ‘in year’ places look at Kingsdale, Chestnut Grove, Norwood School.

Elmgreen is OK.

Avoid City Heights.

Don’t be terrified, it’s a great place to live.

P.S also look at Woodmansterne

I think you need to tell the LA that you are looking for in-year places and go on the waiting lists for schools you prefer.

So you will probably need to contact Wandsworth for Chestnut Grove and Graveney. And Kingsdale directly, unless Southwark.

I'm so excited to be moving here - but feel an overwhelming guilt that she is going into year 8 and I might not get to choose.
Will take everyone's advice that has so kindly replied with advice.
Any other advice for secondary options greatly appreciated!

@freedomship you can go on waiting lists and sometimes they move quite quickly.

As op said speak to the councils, good luck

@freedomship curious as to what school your daughter when to in the end? Might be too late now seeing this was posted earlier this year but I can vouch for The Norwood School. We live next to Dunraven and assumed my daughter would go there but fell in love with The Norwood. It has such a lovely, warm, vibrant feel and so pleased we got in.

@estewart82 How is your daughter getting on at the Norwood School? We got a place there so looking for some more info about what’s it’s actually like.

As a strategy you could get on as many waiting lists as possible while you also research schools then you will at least know where you place on the list plus any schools that can offer a place now.

you are likely to come up against the complication that any child leaving at the end of summer term - the place may not become available until early Sept when school has confirmed their move to new school

visit the schools and see for yourself. Here's my impression of

Graveney (wandsworth), Kingsdale (southwark), Chestnut Grove (wandsworth), and Dunraven (lambeth), Charter North (southwark) are the choice of the aspiring middle-class. They are always oversubscribed. The only one that I liked when visiting was Graveney but none of them did much to impress prospective families and frankly after visiting a lot of other schools I think they're falling behind other schools. Many of these schools use all their co-curriculars as selling points but fail to tell you how hard it is for most children to access activities because they are gatekept for the more able.

Elmgreen (lambeth) really impressed with it's warmth and pastoral care as well as it's academic offerings. It seems to becoming really popular and the distance catchment is shortening. It was my son's first choice. I know lots of teens there - one complaint I've heard of

The Elms Academy (lambeth) was also a pleasant surprise on visit. But are more strict which makes it marmitey - however their results are quite good.

I also visited Haberdashers Borough (southwark), St Joseph's (croydon), and Westminster City (westminster). I quite rated Westminster City. It was our first preference but it's boys only.

I did not visit Trinity or City Heights. But have since heard positive things about them. Trinity is a small school and City Heights has a new head who seems to be turning things around. There was another thread which had more info. I'll see if I can find it.

It's really important to visit the schools with your child. What we read about schools is very different from what they are like. And a lot of the reputations are based on what the schools were like rather than what they're actually like now.

Just realised that I forgot to finish my sentence about ElmGreen. A few parents have told me they wish it was a bit more strict with homework. As in they don’t chase so getting their kids to do it is a bit of a pain. But that’s their personal complaint. And might be a pull for other parents.