Blackheath high school GDST

[zafo]

Can anyone share an opinion on this school?

We are applying to it and live in bexleyheath? Commute seems about 50 mins by bus from where we live (no changes).
Too long of a journey starting in year 7?

The othe school we are looking at is Colfe with a bit longer commute.

Our DD unfortunately didn't pass the 11+ in Bexley, only in Kent, so also trying to understand which school might be better for her.
She is bright, but has been pushing back on working at home on 11+ prep just when it was the most important time.
Looking for a school that instills curiousity and motivation.

I know people who have/had girls at Blackheath. They had nothing but praise for the school. However, the class sizes can be quite small which can make things quite 'intense' in terms of friendships. Their 6th form is absolutely tiny - but obviously you could move your DD at that stage.

The fees have gone up quite a bit I believe and they're now around £25k a year, not including 'extras'. It is possible to get some money off fees if your DD is awarded a scholarship but it's maybe 10%-25%.

I also have friends with DC at Colfe's and again I hear good things - Colfe's has a strong sporting reputation too.

Both schools get great results (unsurprisingly as they're selective). I get the impression that students are 'stretched' but not in a crazy way.

The obvious thing to check is - do you actually have offers from both these schools if you're looking at a September start?

The journey time would worry me. Traffic can be horrendous in SE London as I'm sure you know. I think it would be sensible to trial the journey on a school day to see how long it actually takes.

I do know that students come from quite far for both schools though.

I know Colfes definitely run school buses so have you checked if you're on a route? (I'm not sure if Blackheath does.)

Yes the journey is a worry we will have to think about for both schools. Having said that, both are within one hour public transport form door to door. It would probably be bearable once DD gets used to it, but not ideal. We would weight a move nearer to any of them if we get an offer.

I will check colfes bus routes, thank you.
BHS seems is not covering our area, but seems easiest reachable by train to Westcombe Park then a walk from there.

We don't have offers yet, just starting to look at them and applying for both, so gathering some info, appart from reading through their web pages.