Which Schools should I apply to?

Finding the right school.

Sometimes parents are confused as to what Grammar school works best for their children. The one nearest to your home or the one with the higher score in the annual tables published by the Daily Telegraph newspaper? We always suggest that you first visit each grammar school during the open days. During this day the Principal of the school will explain the objectives of his/her school. Other teachers will speak. You will get a chance to interact with older students. You will be able to assess the conduct of the older students in person. This will give you an idea as to wether the school is the right fit for your child. Sometimes a school may be high up in the league tables. But that school may focus on certain subjects that you might not be interested in. For example if you are interested in music and would like your child to focus on this along with his/her education – then by going through the facilities of the schools on the open day you can make a judgement call. Usually most schools will allow you to have a short tour of their school premises on the open day. Sometimes you get to meet the Head Teacher in person. Use that golden opportunity to clear your doubts.

The location of the School.

Does the location of the school matter? As a parent you might be willing to send your child further away from your home to the ideal grammar school of your choice. But the council and the school could have rules in place that determine their admission criteria. This criteria varies from school to school and county to county. We have to tried to find the relevant documents highlighting the criteria and attaching them as links to the portfolio pages. So do read those pages on this website to find that information all in one place.

Sometimes the location of your house or postcode can make all the difference in determining if you are eligible for the school you wish to apply.

“Your Council Tax bill matters.”

Let us give you a simple example. There is a road in Joydens Wood called Summer house drive. Some houses in this road have a postcode of DA5 and others have a postcode of DA2. Houses having the postcode DA5 will be paying the council tax to Bexley and the houses having a postcode of DA2 will be paying council tax to Dartford Borough. This small simple difference can mean a lot in determining if you are having a chance of getting a place in a grammar school of your choice. The Bexley grammar schools expect you to be paying council tax to the Bexley Council. To apply to grammar schools in Darford or Wilmington you must be paying Council tax to Darford!. Simple difference but makes a huge impact on your selection of schools.