Girls' schools options from Beckenham

[Beck_mum]

I was hoping to free ride on someone else's research re: schools for girls (single sex or co-ed), within a reasonable commute of Beckenham

I already know about Newstead Woods, Bromley High, JAGs and Alleyns, but wondered whether there were other options - maybe Sutton/Croydon selective schools? I'm thinking about academic schools, ideally with good music departments.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be really interested to hear them. Maybe it's just me, but there seemed to be a lot more choices for boys. Thanks.

[PettswoodFiona]

A train to Sevenoaks is fairly easy and if you like the idea of the IB then Sevenoaks school is worth a look. They are very strong academically but also have amazing facilities for music and drama. Co-ed (I see you mention Alleyns which is also co-ed) a mix of day and boarding, international and local.

For state isn't Langley girls meant to be very good? - but need to be within a mile. Also Townley Girls Grammar which came out 8 miles last year and they have private coaches from a good number of places including Beckenham. Townley had some superb music rooms when I visited.

[Ladymuck]

Old Palace by tram? Very good music, very generous scholarships.

[Crescent26]

What about Sydenham High (GDST)? Bus up from Beckenham? Know a few girls there and considering it myself - really liked the girls, really liked the ethos, and the 'feel' if the place (and this after looking around lots of boys' schools 2 years ago too). Not same 'league' as JAGs and Alleyns, but also not the same pressures, which I quite like for my clever but reticent daughter.

[RoboR]

Kingsdale Foundation school in Dulwich has a excellent music department and is mixed.

[Beck_mum]

Thanks so much for those suggestions. Kingsdale is on our list but I hadn't thought of Old Palace so thanks so much for that. I feel like Sevenoaks is too far, but will check out train times etc before making a judgement on that. Sydenham High I'd looked at but it doesn't feel quite right for her. Any thoughts on the journey to Croydon grammars from here would be great too. Thanks!

[Gingertomcat]

Hi Beck_mum, I know that Townley Grammar has been awarded the 'London Excellence in Music ' award which is in the gift of the mayor.
I think the Head is a music champion for the mayor. The Performing and Visual Arts is one of the specialisms at Townley along with Maths & Computing.
Hope this helps.

[Ladymuck]

You'd be out of catchment for Wally girls or Nonsuch thought there are of course open places. But from your area girls would go to Newstead not Wally Girls. Hopefully they will manage to recruit a head.

[Beck_mum]

Thanks Gingertomcat - I called them yesterday to find out about buses from Beckenham but they're not sure whether they will be running any or not. It depends on demand apparently. I don't really want to apply and then find out there's no bus!

Ladymuck - I didn't realise that about the Sutton/Croydon schools. My son sat Wilson's, Wallington, SGS etc and the catchment wasn't an issue. Is it different for the girls' schools then?

[Ladymuck]

Yes, the girls schools have catchments which don't reach past Croydon, but they do have open places as well, though you would need to score in the top 80 or so from memory.