Across the country, children have returned to school after the summer break, marking the start of the 2025-26 academic year.
In Bromley, none of the secondary schools are oversubscribed, which means every school currently has enough places for the pupils who want to attend.
Some schools, however, are more popular than others, with many families putting them down as their first choice.
Hayes School is the most in-demand, with 228 Year 7 places and 217 first-choice applications.
Nearly every place was requested as a first preference, making it the school with the highest demand in the borough.
Langley Park School for Girls also attracted a lot of interest, with 209 first-choice applicants for its 236 places.
Darrick Wood School received 187 first-choice applications for 237 places, while Bullers Wood School had 185 first-choice applications for 227 places, showing strong demand from families.
Langley Park School for Boys also remained highly popular, with 185 first-choice applications for 198 places.
Newstead Wood School had 164 first-choice applications for 177 places, making it another school with very high demand relative to its size.
Other schools that saw strong interest include Chislehurst School for Girls, with 178 first-choice applications for 243 places, Charles Darwin School with 155 for 224 places, and Bullers Wood School for Boys, which received 112 first-choice applications for 165 places.
Coopers School and Ravens Wood School both attracted 145 first-choice applications for 251 and 216 places, respectively.
St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School, one of Bromley’s selective schools, received 111 first-choice applications for 126 places.
Some schools received fewer first-choice applications compared to the number of places they offer, giving families more choice when applying.
The Ravensbourne School had 126 first-choice applications for 240 places.
Orion Eden Park had 96 first-choice applications for 232 places.
Harris Academy Beckenham received 151 first-choice applications for 200 places, while Harris Girls Academy Bromley had 103 for 179 places.
Harris Academy Orpington had 57 first-choice applications for 110 places.
Bishop Justus CofE School received 50 first-choice applications for 198 places, and Kemnal Technology College had 70 for 99 places.
A school’s popularity can depend on many factors, including its reputation, teaching quality, facilities, and location.
Schools with more first-choice applications are often viewed as highly desirable, but families should also consider which school is the best fit for their child, rather than just focusing on numbers.
Even schools with fewer first-choice applicants can provide excellent education and plenty of space for new pupils, ensuring that every child in Bromley can find a school that suits them.
