Secondary schools west Dulwich

[Rasnos]

We’ve recently moved to West Dulwich, near Thurlow Park Road, and this is our first time living in London. I’m feeling quite overwhelmed, as I work long hours in the NHS and I’m trying to get my head around schools and the area in general.

I’m particularly concerned about secondary schools. Elmgreen is only a 4-minute walk from us and seems to have fairly good reviews overall, though I’ve also read about the tragic incident there a while back, which has made me anxious.

If anyone has children currently at Elmgreen (or other nearby secondaries under Lambeth), I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences — especially around safety, the learning environment, and general atmosphere. I’d also love to know how people find the community within the school — we’re keen on a diverse and balanced environment for our children.

Any reassurance, insights, or recommendations would be hugely valued!

I live near there and I have never heard about any "tragic incident" that happened there.
When/what was that?
As far as I know it's a good school. Others in the area that are popular are Norwood and Dunraven.

really appreciated your reply.
I came across a report about a 15-year-old student who was stabbed and died just outside the school gates. I understand this may have been an isolated incident, but it has naturally raised some concerns for me as a parent. That said, I am otherwise very keen on the school—particularly because of its proximity and convenience for my son.

can I ask you if you do not mind about the safety generally in Thurlow park road area? I am confused if this road neighbourhood considered Dulwich or Tusle hill

Depressing as this sounds but there are a lot of teen stabbings in London.
It's usually gang/territory related rather than having anything to do with specific schools.
Generally West Dulwich/West Norwood is considered slightly nicer than Tulse Hill.
Thurlow Park Road is a long road so it's in both areas.

I live relatively near by and that’s a “nice” area. I know kids who’ve been at Elm Green and done well. But it wasn’t on my list. Dunraven and Kingsdale would be preferable. But I’m a bit out of date.

Schools are about to return after the summer break. Have you applied for places for your children?

My son started school earlier in Scotland on 18/08, so I waited to secure him a place before he joined me here for Year 8. In the meantime, he stayed with my mum.

I found on the Council admissions website that most in-year school applications need to be made directly to the school. He’s currently on the waiting list for Harris Boys East Dulwich – it’s a bit further away, but the school is outstanding and has great reviews. I’ve also applied to Elmgreen and am waiting for a response from Kingsdale.

Since Elmgreen is only a 4-minute walk from us, I’d really appreciate any encouraging feedback or reassuring reviews about it for Year 8.

I lived in that area for years and still have friends with kids at Elmgreen.

It’s a good school.

Actually there are many good schools in the general area. Elmgreen, Dunraven, Kingsdale, Charter if you are lucky enough to get a place.

Thurlow Park Rd is a safe pleasant area. All of London, really, is a mixture of high density / LA housing mixed in with very expensive housing.

There are stab incidents in London but the horrible truth for those involved is that it is generally people involved in gang activity. Your Dc is not going to get involved in gang activity. And will quickly learn to be street smart. Don’t stare at any trouble, walk away from trouble, don’t have a stupidly expensive up to date phone and wave it about.

School students have free travel on buses with their Zip cards, so Harris, Charter (apply via Southwark), Dunraven, Kingsdale, Norwood, all within reach.

Don’t bring him down from Scotland for a place at City Heights.

P.S good area to live, fantastic nearby parks, Dulwich and Brockwell. Cinema at W Norwood. Bus to Brixton, East Dulwich is lovely, with another cinema.

Thank you so much for your detailed comment — I’m really grateful. It honestly makes a huge difference and it was so generous of you to take the time, really appreciated.

Can I just ask, is it normal for a 12-year-old to travel to school by bus on their own? He’s a smart and confident boy, but in Scotland he was used to walking to his nearby school, and before P7 he had a pick-up/drop-off minder service.

Do you think he will be safe on the buses? I worry he might run into trouble. I won’t be able to drop him off or pick him up myself because of my long hours at King’s College (doctor life…), so that’s why I’m asking. If not, I’ll look into arranging a minder service here too however with London expenses better to avoid!

And yes, the rent is unbelievable — mine is £2,300 for a below-average 2-bedroom flat.

Sorry to bother you all with these questions, but London life is honestly stressing me out a bit.

Children use the buses and trains from West Dulwich and Gipsy Hill, although some parents do the school run. Agree about being street smart and not getting phones out or carrying more money than you need. If you look on Kingsdale’s website they have a sheet of advice on travelling / staying safe. Hope you get offered a place soon.

Thurlow Park road is a very busy road, your son will need to have good road sense. Elm Green is a well drilled school, I've friends who have children there and they flourished. Have a look at Norwood as well, plus the others mentioned above.

Previous posts on Kingsdale tend to get taken down on MN so you'll need to do research elsewhere. The East Dulwich Forum might prove helpful.

It is entirely normal for children to travel independently to school from Yr7 , whether walking, bus, tube, train, or a mixture.

The Kingsdale issue is that there was discussion about how exam results were obtained after an issue over 10 years ago.

I have friends with D.C. at Kingsdale and they are very happy indeed with the school.

You could have a look at Forest Hill Boys as well? Bit further away but they have an arts focus if that would suit.

If you are on Facebook, join the West Norwood Local group. Loads of local parents there and all seem happy - thb, I'm not sure if it would be worth the commute to go to East Dulwich Harris unless you were sold on their ethos (I think of elmgreen as being a bit more holistic and Harris academies as a bit more strict/results focused) but that's a generalisation and not a judgement and definitely take with a pinch of salt as it's been ages since I was actively looking.

Busses should be fine - my boys would be mortified at having a nanny pick them up in secondary school!

Get in touch with Elmgreen directly if you are interested as they will manage their waitlist and I imagine would have a bit more wiggle room than harris.

Buses and trains and tubes very normal in London from age 11.

My DD has just left Kingsdale after a very happy 5 years... she said this morning she wished she was starting Y11 again now 😱(Once was enough for me with GCSE year). She's only not staying on because she's going to music college rather than A levels.

She used trains, and buses if train wasn't running and we never had any issues in the entire 5 years - there are always loads of them travelling. KFS is HUGE (450 in each year) so the year groups are kept separate and they have different start and finish times, so there are always lots of people around.

Know happy people at Charter, but not the others.

Thank you for your help.
I’m happy about your daughter’s experience and wish her all the best.

Harris called me today to say that his application was accepted.
What’s your opinion?

The total bus commute is 30 minutes, but he is stressed and prefers the 4-minute walk to Elmgreen.
I am leaning toward the outstanding Harris, though I have some concerns about their strict policy since my son isn’t used to it. I also need support because of my full-time life as a doctor.

The bus may seem scary now, but kids in London travel a lot and it's a good way to learn independence. My DD did 90 minutes each way for KFS and the same time, different route for her college.

I would look for the school with the best fit, and if you are working as a doctor, one with really good extra curriculars. Not sure on Harris, but DD stayed late after-school 3 days a week for sports, art and in later years revision sessions. Lots of her friends did too.

It's really normal for them to have working parents and just have a house key and get on with homework, or go out with friends after school. Secondary I have found is very hands off for parents - think I went there perhaps 2 or 3 times a year at most.

I have heard Harris is very strict. KFS leans towards liberal - no stupid rules. ADHD DD managed 5 years with no detentions at all.

Harris are a bit Marmite, they can be quite strict. I know parents who love them & parents who hate them, don't know any at that site though.

If anyone has children currently at Elmgreen (or other nearby secondaries under Lambeth),

I would be mindful with Lambeth, it's one if the worst impacted areas for falling rolls and as funding is based on head count not good for the schools.

@OhCrumbsWhereNow Have you looked at the governments site to compare schools?

I think Charter North is the best school that way but the "catchment" is tiny. Or Kingsdale which does very well despite being so big.

Results wise Harris is definitely better than Elmgreen & Dunraven, they both have negative progress 8 scores which is pretty poor. Dunraven used to be very good years ago, had friends who attended, not sure what happened.

Thinking about it Kingsdale due to its size probably scoops up a lot of dc who traditionally would have gone to other schools. I think they tried to increase their PAN a few years ago and other headteachers in Lambeth fought against it.

Charter North v popular but being in catchment is tricky so puts it out of reach for most.

I can't really comment on the others as no experience, but thought it might be helpful for OP to have view from very recent KFS parent in case any questions.

It's always good to get current feedback

What about getting him a bike?