Hi all

We live in harrow and were considering applying for DCHS and BHS for our DD.

The problem is that there is a very convenient and relatively short commute from our place to DCHS, but based on previous year's results we are unlikely to be offered a place.

With regards to BHS, we are in with a good chance for a place but the commute by public transport is a nightmare.

Does anyone have any info on availability of buses/car pool from Harrow to BHS?

Any help is much appreciated.

Regards

Why not pick a school nearer home? There are some good schools in Harrow.

I really think you need to check the distances you are working with. I have just plotted the widest past allocation distances for the schools, and they are both very marginal for Harrow.

I strongly recommend that you check it for yourself, using the schools' postcodes, this tool https://www.freemaptools.com/radius-fro ... stcode.htm and the distances, which are:

Becky High HP9 1RR 11.787 miles (2017 second round)
DCHS HP7 9NR 10.997 miles (2016 second round)

I would discount DCHS based on previous years. I don't imagine there are buses from Harrow to BHS as you would be very lucky if you got a place there either. If you did, train from Greenford or West Ruislip would be the best route.

As I love playing with freemaptools, here you are:

https://www.freemaptools.com/radius-aro ... FF&fs=true

If you would like to get the accurate distance from your home to the schools, use the bucks website link.

https://services.buckscc.gov.uk/school- ... ns/nearest

Put your post code and select your address. It will say you are outside of bucks. Then click continue, it will show you all the secondary school distances from your home.

No need for the tool, bucks secondary school site is excellent, does all the work for you, just enter your postcode. I've based my post on their feedback. It also gives last year's closing offer distances.

Regards

Agree on DCHS, but we are very close on distance to BHS, and it mentions that there will be 180 seats for 2018, up from 2017, which makes me hopeful.

Regards

Both are very unlikely; I hope you have a plan C.

As far as I know, there are no private coaches from Harrow to Beaconsfield. There may be private car shares in operation but have a look at other posts to see the substantial risks involved with car sharing. It simply isn't a workable long term solution unless you are extremely fortunate in your choice of partner. I don't understand why parents go to such lengths to secure what they believe to be the most appropriate school for their most precious loved ones, yet are happy to bundle them into a car with virtual strangers for hours every other week. It's very odd.

I'd abandon any plans for BHS. You may wish to take a chance and put DCHS on the CAF because the commute is straightforward, but make sure you have an option below it that you'd be happy with and are certain to be allocated.