Mossbourne Community Acadamy, experiences and opinions

[MuswellHillDad]

I didn't get to the Open Day but will next year. I'd love to hear what parents of students who are there think and also opinions of those who know about the school generally.

It seems to do amazingly well with the "high attainers" getting an average "A" grade for the top 8 GSCEs. The low attainers do no better than anywhere else (not sure why that would be).

My kids will be high attainers when they leave primary (they already are above level 4) so I am keenly interested in experiences and opinions (based on evidence rather than gossip).

PS - is there a way of seeing the school having missed the Open Day that I'm not aware of?

[nennypops]

Fairly suspect attitude to vulnerable pupils - hackneycitizen.co.uk/2012/08/21/mossbourne-academy-loses-challenge-special-needs/

[MuswellHillDad]

Nennypops, thanks for spotting that. I wonder if the drive to results is clouding their vision and responsibility or whether they are responding badly to over subscription. Sounds like the parents went through hell.

[MadameDefarge]

I deliberately didn't put mossbourne down as a choice. I thought it overly pushy and instills some rather public school attitudes into the kids about being superior by virtue of the school they attend. DS has mild SN and I thought he would be utterly swamped and not supported.

I went to the opening evening tho, and had to leave after five minutes of Mr Wilshaws's rather scary presentation.

I am also rather suspicious of their sixth form offshoot, as I have heard they will only take pulpils with straight A and A*s which cleans out a great swathe of the schools existing intake, while mopping up all other schools (inc private ones) kids.

[MadameDefarge]

I do think its a bit pointless asking for 'evidence' rather than 'gossip'. People have opinions based on their experience. Any 'evidence' is already in the public domain.

If you are muswell hill, then I assume you are thinking about applying as an out of borough parent hoping for a lottery place.

Muswell hill has good secondaries. why take a place from a child in Hackney?

[ipadquietly]

Just a question from an interested bystander madameO.

If you and other people with SEN children felt unwelcome at Mossbourne and (because of that) didn't apply for a place, does that mean that they are actively selecting their intake?

[MadameDefarge]

No, they can't do that. They are bound by the admissions procedures of the LEA, and also have introduced a lottery element to their admissions.

I think their SEN intake is about average for the borough, and really I have idea of what the provision is like in house.

remember that times have changed since Mr Wilshaw ruled mossbourne a la droit de seigneur.

It would always be best to talk to the school direct. But I just knew from the open evening that ds would not thrive.

[MadameDefarge]

rather I have no idea...

[MuswellHillDad]

MadameDefarge

Thanks for your comments which are welcomed.

I was wondering if anyone here actually had their child there and could give direct experience. That's the sort of evidence they don't publish.

[MadameDefarge]

I have friends who have children at a range of secondaries in Hackney. Secondary provision in the borough has been transformed over the last ten years. We now have a mix of academies, specialist secondaries, UCTs single sex, faith schools etc. All seem to be doing pretty ok.

I am personally delighted with the school ds attends. It has far exceeded my expectations (and I am a cynical old baggage about school hype) its pastoral care is second to none, its support of children with SEN , from my experience only, has been amazing. And academically it is doing well for ALL the children, not just the high achievers.

[MadameDefarge]

Oh, and DS is a 'high achiever' in the sense he is very able academically.

[focuson]

madameDefarge can ask which school your DS goes to - mossbourne i am having an awful day with as not on our list due to all you have said (i too do not think my ds would thrive he has medical condition & think the whole environment would stifle him) but then i keep looking at results.... have put down 6 choices - not including mossbourne but keep thinking should i put it down - arghhhh - deadline is tomorrow - have submitted already but can do other versions online

[MadameDefarge]

sorry focuson, only just saw your post! DS is at City Academy. I rate it very highly. DS has flourished there. PM me if you need more info

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

The SN department at City are the best I have ever worked with. It's led by strong, very experienced, intelligent teachers who take a genuine interest in individuals. Transition is excellent and they have genuinely high expectations of all their students. City walks the walk on this as well as talking the talk.

[MadameDefarge]

Yes indeed MissBetsy! Its a little gem, that school. Will be interesting to see its first set of GCSEs this year!