Secondary Education - Twickenham

[rachelg1974]

I’m considering Orleans Park School or Grey Court for my son. He is a good all rounder and fairly sporty, makes friends easily. I think he would be happy at both schools which is a good place to be. But I would love any recent feedback from any parents with kids at those schools. Ultimately I’m hoping for an environment that will inspire him to want to learn and to be his best and look out for him if he struggles. Any experiences greatly appreciated! Thanks x

@rachelg1974 have you searched the site for the many other threads about these schools.

They're both popular and oversubscribed. It will be difficult to find someone with objective experience of both, and there willbe people who have positive and negative things to say about both.

It's also not possible to be in catchment for both, so I suggest you decide based on where you live, or (if moving), where you prefer to live.

Yes agreed, it depends where you live, the catchment for Orleans Park is small.

As resident in the borough, with a child who went to one of these schools and am friends with parents whose children went to either of these schools, I can categorically say that both schools will give you a great environment for your DC to learn. Both schools also have excellent reputations for pastoral care. But, as others have said, it is unlikely you could live somewhere in catchment for both so you need to decide based on where you live.

https://whichschooladvisor.com/uk/school-news/best-uk-state-and-grammar-schools-gcse-and-a-level-league-tables

https://www.londonpreprep.com/2026/08/londons-best-100-secondary-schools-gcse-results-2026/

Thanks all. I’m a bit confused as when I’ve looked at catchment area maps for GC, it seems to go as far as St Margaret’s…but only just. Appreciate it may not be accurate and obviously changes each year. So I thought we might be in with a chance.

I’ve looked at all the league tables etc and done my research on previous posts but just wondered if there was any more recent personal experience. Thanks!

Where are you seeing "catchment area maps". On Locrating? If so, they aren't accurate.

Richmond publishes furthest distance offered in the last 3 years for all schools here: https://hubb-production.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/uploads/ckeditor/attachments/20114/LBR_TSS_furthest_distance_offers_last_3_years_updated_21Sep26__for_publication__-2026-2024__1%282%29.pdf

They are walking distances, not crow flies. Orleans Park and Grey Court are on opposite sides of the Thames so you'd have to travel via Richmond Bridge or Teddington Lock Bridge. Hammertons Ferry is not included in the council's database as a suitable route because it only operates at certain dates/times and is also tide-dependent.

Swimming isn't an option either. 🙂

I think it’s normally around 1km catchment at offer day and then expands a few hundred metres until the start of the school year.

We’ve got 2 kids at Orleans Park & moved here for the school. Our reasons for choosing Orleans (which have all subsequently been resoundingly confirmed) were:

• excellent results (this year appear to be 2nd best non-selective GCSE grade 7-9 results in London and possibly England), teaching and Ofsted report.
• knowing that the majority of kids will secure places at Russell Group / top 20 universities.
• Welcoming and friendly ethos
• Parents like us (many parents are driven professionals who want an exceptional education for their without having to pay private school fees. Topping up with weekly tutoring is a small additional cost!)
• small catchment (5-10 min walk to school for most of the school population, meaning less time wasted and minimal travel time at weekends to see friends, unlike most private schools)
• mixed (we wanted all our kids to go to same school. To us, single sex didn’t make sense as sexes mix at primary school, at uni and in life! Also heard plenty of bullying stories re nearby all girls schools).
• decent for sport (our kids do lots of netball, football, rugby, rowing, cross country within school as well as several clubs outside school)
• in a lovely area (right by the river, right next to Marble Hill park, decent grounds / sports fields) full of period housing. Briefly considered Grey Court but didn’t like the immediate area.

Hope that helps.

Given Grey Court is also right by the river, minutes from Ham Lands and Richmond Park and with extensive sports fields, I can only assume that this poster”s dislike of the immediate area was the council houses/smaller modern homes in Ham rather than the “period properties’ in East Twickenham. Up to you if that is part of your consideration OP, it certainly wasn’t for us. Yes of course Grey Court has a more mixed intake due to its catchment encompassing Ham and Petersham and Richmond Hill. One can see that as a positive or a negative, I guess.

I just thought it might be helpful to explain my criteria for choosing Orleans, but my view is merely a single subjective view. The best advice I could give, if I’m qualified to give any, is to visit as many schools (and their environs) as possible and speak to plenty of current parents before choosing the school that’s right for your child.