Commuting to Wallington School from Mortlake

[Yoyoflow]

DD has passed the test for Wallington High School for Girls and we’re based in Mortlake. She’s also passed the first stage for Tiffin Girls, which is our first choice and our hope is that she gets into Tiffin Girls but who knows.

I’m now trying to finalise our CAF form and wondering whether it’s realistic to put Wallington High as our second choice and loose a spot at a decent comprehensive close to us. The commute to Wallington looks quite long — it would be two trains (Mortlake → Clapham → Wallington) and then about a 10-minute bus ride.

Is anyone else doing (or has done) a similar journey from this side of London to Wallington? Is it doable for a secondary schooler, or too much on a daily basis? Just trying to get a sense of whether it’s a reasonable back-up option or if we should look closer to home.

You wouldn't be losing the spot at a local comprehensive, because which order you put the schools in doesn't affect how your applications are looked at. You have five preferences boxes and you will get the highest one for which your child has qualified for a place when they process the applications.

Per the previous reply I wouldn't worry about preference order but I really don't think the commute would be in any way sensible, unless the comprehensives you're eligible for are for some reason beyond terrible. Tiffin from Mortlake would be fine, but Wallington...

If I select Wallington High School as my second choice and she gets into Wallington school and doesn't get into Tiffin Girls (her first choice), can we still decide at that point that she can join her 3rd choice which is our local non-selective secondary school?

No, unless it's undersubscribed as the places will be given to people who placed it higher.

Why put Wallington down if you would rather she went to your local school over it?

Honestly, for Wallington two trains and a bus would be pretty awful. Have you tried out the journey? Also, it will be pretty socially isolating as there unlikely to be other kids anywhere near you.

What’s your most likely comprehensive option? Most schools in Richmond borough are pretty decent and will have enough other bright kids in them. If she gets into Tiffin then great, but unless you’re prepared to move the I wouldn’t put Wallington ahead of a more local option.

i assume you’re guaranteed a spot at Walllington due to a high score ?

@Yoyoflow how long would the journey take? And at the other end of the day?

I think a commute of about an hour for secondary is not unusual on MN, but even that I would be less than keen on for my DC tbh. Especially if it was three different forms of public transport (rather than, say, a longish walk, a bus, and another walk – more control, less to go wrong). But I bet this is even longer.

Yes if you list Wallington school above your nearest comp, and are offered W, you cannot then switch to the comp as places wil be allocated to others (unless it is under subscribed of course).

I would as a matter of priority try out the journey and see if it is feasible. If not, list the local school second, as long as it is acceptable to you. Which it sounds as tho it is.