I don't mean this unkindly ,but I think it's important to face up to the reality of the shortage of local secondary school places . This has always ( well ,last 3 decades ) been the case ,with the recent improvement seen at Harris Girls ED , Kingsdale and The Charter improving the situation . I can't see the situation changing ,there is a shortage/dearth of suitable sites ,and with all the secondary schools being their own admissions authorities and the majority controlled by sponsors there is very little hope of parents influencing choice of eg mixed sex style of any new schools . It is ,and has been for many years ,common for a lot of 11 year olds to travel long distances . I think it's a shame but it is doeable ,we have good transport links ,many travel in groups and most schools let them have a mobile phone so it as at least possible to stay in touch .