Talk

Flip

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Cambridge schools

6 replies

jellybean72 · 20/10/2016 15:31

Help We are in the lucky position of being possibly within the admission criteria of 2 really good but very different Cambridge schools. We live in the catchment area for Comberton Village College but our child goes to a city centre school that is in the Parkside catchment. I know they are both schools with excellent reputations but not having lived in the city that long wanted to get a feel for what kind of school kids fit in to best as well as which are getting the best results academically, kids are happiest etc. Oldest kid is in Yr6 now and is fairly academically able but I wouldn't say top of the class , and is quite sociable, confident etc but her younger sister, although possibly academically stronger is very different--personality wise and would like something that would suit both. I was only going to put 2 schools down but suggestions for any hidden gems are welcome

OP posts:

Report

ihatethecold · 20/10/2016 15:42

CVC gets very good results but can be quite strict I think.
My eldest has just finished 5 years there, My youngest is in year 8, she has a few personal problems that she is dealing with and the pastoral team have been fantastic.
They have lots of opportunities to play many different sports and a huge range of after school clubs.

They do have a lot of students at the school which can be overwhelming for new pupils.

Report

AveEldon · 20/10/2016 20:24

They are quite a distance apart
Consider travel and also seeing friends outside of school
How will that work?

Report

jellybean72 · 20/10/2016 20:59

We are sort of midway between them but one would definitely be easier logistically than the other! Her friends are mostly in town but she is also starting to make friends more locally. Her school peers will be going to both schools plus a few other schools in Cambridge that we haven't looked at as we wouldn't meet any of the admission criteria!! I think I know which my older one prefers but not sure whether she is being motivated more by where her friends are going than where she will do best.

OP posts:

Report

AveEldon · 20/10/2016 21:40

Does CVC still finish at 16?

Report

ihatethecold · 21/10/2016 07:28

No. my ds has just started 6th form at CVC

Report

jellybean72 · 22/10/2016 12:43

Hi both Parkside & CVC have had 6 forms now for a few years and both get good results. Parkside only does IBIn 6th form.