Recommendation on secondary school

[polingc]

Hi, we have relocated back to London from overseas this year and need to apply for a secondary school for my girl who is 12 now and ready for Year 8 admission. We live in Red Post Hill. Both the Charter School in the Red Post Hill and the Charter School at East Dulwich have already declined our application due to a lack of vacancies and I am planning to go for Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich and maybe some other options in the area. Does anyone have any opinion about the HGA, especially from the parents of their students? What about other secondary schools in the area? Grateful for your thoughts and inputs. Many thanks in advance!

[Coach Beth]

I've have a friend who has been very happy with Harris Girls and it seems like it has good results. Other ones to try would be the University of Engineering (it's a secondary school but run by South Bank University).. might have spaces as it's a relatively new school and it's particularly good on STEM subjects... abit further away as it's at the Elephant and Castle. I liked Deptford Green went I went round and have a friend that is happy with it...it's a bit of a fuff to get to though. Also make sure you go on the waiting list for the two Charters, you never know, someone could move or decide to take up the offer of another place etc.

[brezzo]

I would keep phoning round - schools often have unexpected spaces at this time of year with some students moving overseas or going into independent sector,

Southwark has some of the best state schools in the country, so she should be able to find something.

You don't say where you live, but don't forget to look at schools outside local area that are on good bus or train routes, so you can go in plenty of directions

[Angelina]

There is a school's admission drop in at the Peckham library on Wednesdays.

All you can do is approach the schools you are interested in and see if there are any vacancies. Get on waiting lists.

Southwark will place your daughter somewhere.

I presume she's currently not in school? You need to notify Southwark.

[cactus]

Have you looked at the Elmgreen School in West Norwood, it would be a short bus (68) ride from Herne Hill.

If you live very close to Charter North Dulwich, then I assume you would be near the top of their waiting list for in year admissions, so could be lucky over the next couple of weeks.

[Mrs TP]

Sydenham School (all girls state school on Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill) and Kingsdale (mixed state school Dulwich) also usual choices for your area - good luck.

[polingc]

Thank you all for the comments! I just got a call from Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich and they would like to interview my girl on next Monday. Does any parents of HGA here can share some first-hand opinion about the school? Many thanks in advance.

[Sol]

I was going to suggest also Sydenham school

[tomskip]

I don't think the catchment for Sydenham School extends to Red Post Hill these days.

[polingc]

Yes, I think so as in my school search of Southwark Council, these schools are not on their list.

[tomskip]

Yes, Sydenham School is in the borough of Lewisham and The Elm Green School is in Lambeth. You can apply for places at schools outside your home borough but since most schools admit on distance (or catchment) you are unlikely to get a place at a school in a different borough unless you live right on the border. My daughter goes to Sydenham School but we live quite a distance from you, much closer to the Lewisham border. Having said all that, you might have some luck with Elm Green School in Lambeth. You are not too far away where you live.

[Kellywild2]

Our daughter had a very good experience at Hgaed. She was exposed to some fabulous trips and we found the teachers to be extremely supportive. She got excellent GCSE's and stayed on for 6th form. She's now in her 2nd year at uni in Sheffield. I'd recommended them any day of the week.