Dear members,

Looking for some general advice please – we live in Beckenham (BR3), Bromley area… from my research into grammar schools in Kent or Bexley, looks like all of them look at exam score AND distance from school. Does anyone know of any grammar schools, apart from Newstead Woods, which are worth considering from Beckenham? I am aware that if my DS scores top marks in grammar tests, distance does not matter, but not counting on that to happen ..

Many thanks for your advice!

Hello, Newstead Woods isn't going to be any good if you have a DS so I either assume you mean St Olaves or you mean you have a DD? Both the Dartford grammar schools take some based on Out-of-county score but it needs to be quite high but not always statospheric. If you meant DD rather than DS then Tonbridge girls grammar is popular but as you say you don't want to rely on top marks then it may not be an option. I don't think Weald will come out as far as Beckenham, it came out as far as Orpington in early June but Beckenham is unlikely. For boys both Skinners and Judd used to take boys from further away but I believe they have changed their admissions so do check. For Bexley if your child scores in the top 180 then distance doesn't apply, the Bexley admissions document gives info on how far out schools have come in recent years but for Sept 2018 entry judging by this forum the distances will have reduced a fair bit. I don't know about the Sutton grammars, not the best commute but perhaps easier from Beckenham than some parts of the borough. There are some great comprehensives in Beckenham including Langley park schools so don't focus just on the grammars.

Many thanks for your advice, sorry, I meant DD (I have a daughter).

Such a puzzle to solve with secondary schools: exams score, distance, ease of commute… This forum is very helpful!

NW would be perfect, but can not rely on that option.

We are applying to Sutton schools from Beckenham so it may be an option for you. Depending on where you are the commute could be quite long though, but manageable. Your daughter can get a tram from Beckenham Junction or another stop on that line and change in Croydon.

Hi; you may consider wallington girls, Nonsuch or Tiffin girls but as far as I know; all do consider the catchment distance. Also I think if pupil scored top marks (I am not sure if top 60 or higher) they would offer the place regardless where you live.
Just to let you know that Sutton and Tiffin Grammar schools have different style of tests not same as Newstead Wood or Bexley.
Good luck

Thank you all for your suggestions. Interesting to see what other families are considering.
Would hate to see my daughter commuting for a hour each way, I commute to work every day and it is such a pain with train delays, etc. I don't know how secondary school kids are supposed to do it.

If your daughter was to get in to Newstead she would be commuting an hour each way. My daughter leaves Beckenham at 7.20 and gets to Newstead at 8.20. You may live closer to the station of course.

My son will be travelling nearly an hour each way, but it's made up of nearly half an hour walking (exercise, split between the two ends & pleasant routes) and nearly half an hour train (single train, fast and in the opposite direction to the rush hour, reliable service and apparently social with other children travelling to schools). It's still not ideal (and will not be cheap!) but a journey that involved taking two town buses (or trains) would worry me more.

We are looking at Sutton schools, as well as Newstead, but not Bexley or Kent. I thought Sutton schools would be too far initially but I think it may be do-able with the help of the tram.

Neither BR3 nor any other BR postcode features in the Tiffin Girls' list of postcodes within the Designated Area. The Admissions Code prohibits the school from refusing to let any girl living anywhere apply for a place at the school, but the school makes it clear that there is no recent history of anyone being admitted from the 'place of residence outside the Designated Area' criterion.

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