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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

London / Leicester secondary - state/grammar options

5 replies

Coffeepants · 25/08/2025 01:11

hi, looking for some help in navigating the secondary / 11+ system. I didn’t grow up in England so it’s all a bit confusing. We are currently in SE London and considering where to move for good secondary school options. Open to 11+ but would also like an area that has highly rated comprehensives as alternative options.

To complicate further, open to relocating to somewhere outside of London that is diverse, multicultural and great to bring up kids but also within reach of London - toying with the idea of Leicester.

any ideas/guidance on where to start.

thanks!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 25/08/2025 01:35

Leicester doesn’t have the 11+ system. I was born and raised in Leicester and I really wouldn’t bother!

Ionacat · 25/08/2025 08:45

Start with where you want to move and areas, you may say you’re flexible but you’re upending a whole family and it has to work for everyone. You can then narrow down to school catchments. Most of the country doesn’t have access to grammars, and there are many excellent comprehensives out there, so don’t just limit to grammar school areas. (No grammar schools where I am and schools are excellent, definitely not diverse and multi-cultural though.) London schools are generally some of the best in the country though, so you may find options more limited elsewhere.
I would head over to the property board and say you want to be X distance from London, good schools, diverse and multicultural, approximate budget and what you want from a house e.g. 3 bedrooms. You’ll get lots of good suggestions to check out.

Original poster
Coffeepants · 25/08/2025 09:24

Thanks, I understand no grammar system in Leicester but am told it’s very multicultural and generally a good place to raise a family. Do you disagree?

OP posts:
Original poster
Coffeepants · 25/08/2025 09:25

Ionacat · 25/08/2025 08:45

Start with where you want to move and areas, you may say you’re flexible but you’re upending a whole family and it has to work for everyone. You can then narrow down to school catchments. Most of the country doesn’t have access to grammars, and there are many excellent comprehensives out there, so don’t just limit to grammar school areas. (No grammar schools where I am and schools are excellent, definitely not diverse and multi-cultural though.) London schools are generally some of the best in the country though, so you may find options more limited elsewhere.
I would head over to the property board and say you want to be X distance from London, good schools, diverse and multicultural, approximate budget and what you want from a house e.g. 3 bedrooms. You’ll get lots of good suggestions to check out.

Thanks that’s helpful advice. I wasn’t aware that London schools are generally rated higher than elsewhere in the country. I do worry about safety around schools in SE London as read about frequent altercations with knives, etc

OP posts:
BlueMoonIceCream · 25/08/2025 13:51

If you want good school in SE that is not selective then move as close as possible to Brompton Manor Academy.

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