secondary schools

[carollynn]

We have just moved back to the area from abroad and are desperately trying to find a secondary school for our daughter for year 8. Cannot afford private and all state schools are "full". Please someone advise what our options are?

Frantic

[womanofdulwich]

year 8 is not critical-you could put her name down everywhere and home school till a place comes up. youc ould try looking further afield at other local authorities- some people sent their children to schools in wandsworth/ wetmisnter/ greenwich.

[Alec John Moore]

I was beginning to think that this request had got the ED forumites stumped. I reckon there are only those three options for schooling - state, private or home. Southwark has information about inter year applications which I think refers to any applications that occur outside the regular annual pan London process. I take it you have a list of preferences having done your research and visited schools etc. It should then be a case of finding a temporary solution for your daughter until you can get her into a school of your/her choice. Following WOD's point, travel to school was one of the important considerations for us along with co-ed, reputation, Ofsted, results etc.

Alec

[Curmudgeon]

go to

Govt Schools Finder and enter your postcode

then ring round

there is no way they are all full year 8

[carollynn]

Thanks, good advice and I am starting to widen my scope a bit and generally being a pest all around. Will update on any progress

[carollynn]

Thanks Alec, coming from an all-girls school she is adamant she doesn't want to do it again so some of the same considerations - co-ed, etc. Very strong academically but socially a little shy so looking for a good fit. Staying optimistic

@Curmudgeon - Thanks, visiting that site now

[Renata Hamvas]

Where do you live Carollyn? Please PM me with details and I can make some suggestions and enquries. Does your daughter have any special talent eg is musical, sporty as some of the schools have specialities and do you practice any religion? The local schools tend to be popular and full, but there is always some movement at the end of school years. They have very different admissions criteria, eg if you live very near Charter (they admit on distance), you would go up high on their waiting list. You can go onto the waiting list of several schools.

Renata