Applying to Out-of-Borough Grammar Schools?

[Colourful-Rainbow]

Redbridge only has two single-sex grammar schools and if you live in Redbridge you can only apply to one of these of course. To increase the chances of getting into a grammar school it would be preferable to apply for more than one grammar school but it is likely that these would be out of the catchment area. Does anyone know if there are grammar schools out there other than ICHS/WCHS that you could apply to if you lived in Redbridge and would not be out of the catchment area for? Also what are the nearest grammar schools other than the ones in Redbridge? The ones in Essex are pretty far away! Or is there anyone out there that has experience in having applied to Essex grammar schools but lives in Redbridge?

[Tixylixy]

As far as I'm aware, all grammar schools operate a catchment area criteria to some extent, owing to the demand and limited supply. The Essex grammars are the most accessible outside of Redbridge but check the Essex website as their admission criteria have changed for 2013 admissions.

Also, if you wish to apply for out of catchment schools, you need to consider the logistics of your child getting to school, the wear and tear on his/her body after a 3 hour round trip to school, not to mention a full school day.

If you are adamant about sending your child to an out of catchment school, you may wish to consider moving to that area.

Hope this helps.

Regards

[tiffinboys]

Redbridge only has two single-sex grammar schools and if you live in Redbridge you can only apply to one of these of course. To increase the chances of getting into a grammar school it would be preferable to apply for more than one grammar school but it is likely that these would be out of the catchment area. Does anyone know if there are grammar schools out there other than ICHS/WCHS that you could apply to if you lived in Redbridge and would not be out of the catchment area for?

Kingston also has two small single sex schools but, unlike Redbridge ones, are open selective. So you may also apply here.

Both Tiffin schools warmly welcome applications from far far away. Some parents feels that Tiffin gauges it popularity from the number of pupil from far flung area; applications from even Timbacto would be welcome.

In fact, Tiffins are very long-distance-children friendly. Many children come here from as far away as Southall/Harrow/Greenford/Guldford/North London area to give you an idea. If more children comes from Redbridge, all the better. Some nice teacher may even help in organizing coaches. Also Schools do not mind if children can not participate in any after-school activities in order to catch transport back to home and to do their home work.

Many children from Redbridge used to travel to Chelmsford before, but Chelmsford grammars now have 80% of the places for catchment area. What a shame that they are putting local children first. Tiffins would not even think of any such policy. After all, place in league table and popularity (gauged by ever increasing applications) are more important than local children, reasonable commute, after-school activites and local community.

[First-timer]

Many children from Redbridge used to travel to Chelmsford before, but Chelsford grammars now have 80% of the places for catchment area. What a shame that they are putting local children first. Tiffins would not even think of any such policy. After all, place in league table and popularity (gauged by even increasing applications) are more important than local children, reasonable commute, after-school activites and local community.

Just checking...

That was tongue in cheek, wasn't it?

[Tixylixy]

Thank you so much for your helpful response.

[Colourful-Rainbow]

As far as I'm aware, all grammar schools operate a catchment area criteria to some extent, owing to the demand and limited supply. The Essex grammars are the most accessible outside of Redbridge but check the Essex website as their admission criteria have changed for 2013 admissions.

Also, if you wish to apply for out of catchment schools, you need to consider the logistics of your child getting to school, the wear and tear on his/her body after a 3 hour round trip to school, not to mention a full school day.

If you are adamant about sending your child to an out of catchment school, you may wish to consider moving to that area.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Thank you for your help, I will check out the Essex grammar schools. I am aware that applying to schools that are very far away can have a huge impact on a child in many ways as you have suggested. I just wish to explore more options and if I can find anything that is reasonable then we'll consider it and if not, we'll just leave it.

[Colourful-Rainbow]

Many children from Redbridge used to travel to Chelmsford before, but Chelsford grammars now have 80% of the places for catchment area. What a shame that they are putting local children first. Tiffins would not even think of any such policy. After all, place in league table and popularity (gauged by even increasing applications) are more important than local children, reasonable commute, after-school activites and local community.

Just checking...

That was tongue in cheek, wasn't it?

Yes I think it was.

[Colourful-Rainbow]

Redbridge only has two single-sex grammar schools and if you live in Redbridge you can only apply to one of these of course. To increase the chances of getting into a grammar school it would be preferable to apply for more than one grammar school but it is likely that these would be out of the catchment area. Does anyone know if there are grammar schools out there other than ICHS/WCHS that you could apply to if you lived in Redbridge and would not be out of the catchment area for?

Kingston also has two small single gender schools but, unlike Redbridge ones, are open selective. So you may also apply here.

Both Tiffin schools warmly welcome applications from far far away. Some parents feels that Tiffin gauges it popularity from the number of pupil from far flung area; applications from even Timbacto would be welcome.

In fact, Tiffins are very long-distance-children friendly. Many children come here from as far away as Southall/Harrow/Greenford/Guldford/North London area to give you an idea. If more children comes from Redbridge, all the better. Some nice teacher may even help in organizing coaches. Also Schools do not mind if children can not participate in any after-school activities in order to catch transport back to home and to do their home work.

Many children from Redbridge used to travel to Chelmsford before, but Chelmsford grammars now have 80% of the places for catchment area. What a shame that they are putting local children first. Tiffins would not even think of any such policy. After all, place in league table and popularity (gauged by ever increasing applications) are more important than local children, reasonable commute, after-school activites and local community.

Thanks for your response, I'll look into it.

[tiffinboys]

Most welcome, Colourful-Rainbow.