Orpington people: help needed
Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators
-
emmaborneo2000
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 1:30 pm
Orpington people: help needed
Hi all, I am new to the whole grammar school system having not come from a grammar school area. Looking for some feedback from Orpington based people.
Realistically, how far does the catchment area come out and what are the grammar school choices from Orpington? I have a boy in Y4 and a girl the year before so thinking ahead. I know about Olav and Newstead already but also how challenging the criteria is for those so wondering what else is achievable for bright children.
What is the commute like? For anyone doing a long commute already how do your children find this from Orpington?
All help and feedback gratefully received.
Realistically, how far does the catchment area come out and what are the grammar school choices from Orpington? I have a boy in Y4 and a girl the year before so thinking ahead. I know about Olav and Newstead already but also how challenging the criteria is for those so wondering what else is achievable for bright children.
What is the commute like? For anyone doing a long commute already how do your children find this from Orpington?
All help and feedback gratefully received.
-
PettswoodFiona
- Posts: 2138
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:24 pm
- Location: Petts Wood, Bromley, Kent
Re: Orpington people: help needed
It is certainly worth your DD sitting for Newstead, no specialist tutoring is required if you are trying also for either Kent or Bexley grammars. DD is very happy at Newstead, having stayed on for sixth form. We are in Petts Wood but pupils come from Greenwich, Lewisham, Beckenham etc.
Olaves I think it is a bit more intense, only having a DD I don't have personal experience but some of my friends' sons sat the test and they found it tricky especially with the maths.
Other options for girls are:
Weald of Kent - there is the Sevenoaks campus as well as the main one. Only require a pass in the Kent Test. It has come out as far as Orpington in the past but often fairly late in the summer and no guarantee it will continue to do so - girls tend to get the train or there is also a private bus from Orpington to the Sevenoaks campus
Dartford Girls - need a high score to get in if out of county. There is a coach service from Orpington / Petts Wood to Dartford Grammars
Tonbridge Girls - need to get a very high score to get one of the 35 OOC places - train service is relatively simple and I know a few who do this and they are fine with it.
Townley Grammar - if outside of top 180 score then you it depends on distance to school, it hasn't come out as far as Orpington in recent years but did a number of years before that and it could change again depending on birth year numbers, popularity etc.
other options for boys include
TWGSB - like Weald also has a Sevenoaks campus but is newer and where it has come out to is a bit less clear
Dartford Boys - need a high score to get in if out of county
Beths Grammar
Co-Ed
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School - has often come out as far as Petts Wood on offer day and then Orpington shortly after, but it can be random, check the Bexley Booklet for distances last offered.
Non-selective options
I do know boys from Orpington happy at Ravenswood who didn't go down the grammar route. It is a bit more tricky for girls.
Olaves I think it is a bit more intense, only having a DD I don't have personal experience but some of my friends' sons sat the test and they found it tricky especially with the maths.
Other options for girls are:
Weald of Kent - there is the Sevenoaks campus as well as the main one. Only require a pass in the Kent Test. It has come out as far as Orpington in the past but often fairly late in the summer and no guarantee it will continue to do so - girls tend to get the train or there is also a private bus from Orpington to the Sevenoaks campus
Dartford Girls - need a high score to get in if out of county. There is a coach service from Orpington / Petts Wood to Dartford Grammars
Tonbridge Girls - need to get a very high score to get one of the 35 OOC places - train service is relatively simple and I know a few who do this and they are fine with it.
Townley Grammar - if outside of top 180 score then you it depends on distance to school, it hasn't come out as far as Orpington in recent years but did a number of years before that and it could change again depending on birth year numbers, popularity etc.
other options for boys include
TWGSB - like Weald also has a Sevenoaks campus but is newer and where it has come out to is a bit less clear
Dartford Boys - need a high score to get in if out of county
Beths Grammar
Co-Ed
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School - has often come out as far as Petts Wood on offer day and then Orpington shortly after, but it can be random, check the Bexley Booklet for distances last offered.
Non-selective options
I do know boys from Orpington happy at Ravenswood who didn't go down the grammar route. It is a bit more tricky for girls.
Re: Orpington people: help needed
Just to add that Townley grammar has come out to Orpington BR6 by the start of the school year for starters in Sept 2020 and Sept 2021 but it was late in the process - July at earliest I believe they got their places.
