St. Birinius boys school in Didcot - what's it like really?

[CookieDoughKid]

The progress score for this school is poor. In the double digit negative, -0.18 I think. I will post exact figures when I get a chance. I have an investment flat which I could sell to pay for 5 years of education for private school probably Abingdon boys. I'm hearing that St. Birinius is improving. The area is socially poorer which is why I think the school has a lower than average progress score. It's our only state boys school . I am struggling because myself and some people I know have done very well in our careers. My gut feeling is to hold onto my investment and keep it for my two dcs (boy and girl), when they will really appreciate it later. I do believe in grammar schools so could move house to Buckinghamshire but feel really torn as I hear also that the grammar school Sir Henry Floyd (outstanding grade 1 ofsted in ever single category ) my boy might not get in. It's a gamble. What should I do. Try out state and keep faith that state has what it takes to get great results? Academics matter a huge amount to us as it was what got us to our careers. However my parents didn't have the financial luxury of choice like we do so it was only via extremely hard graft that we became so successful (and parents tutored us mostly primar school years as they couldn't afford any other form of paid for education).

So I need a bit of help clearing the fog. And no we are not tied to where we live so can move. THANKS!

[CookieDoughKid]

Sorry to clarify. ..I feel torn because I was state educated (not a great education though).

[1805]

Have you looked into the new comp on Great Western Park? Or you could see how St B goes and look at UTC for year 10 (or is it y9?)
Or look at Reading Grammar - very selective.??

[CookieDoughKid]

Hello yes. Looks like great facilities. I'm outside catchment for Reading Boys. I'm really looking for an academic school with a strong and hard working work ethic. I feel the new school on GWP would be great for the residents and the general but I'm not sure about joining a school which will undoubtedly be finding it's feet . I'm really after an academic traditional school and I would love to hear from parents at St.Birinius who have sons there. How does it flair for nurturing talent and does the school push the boundaries of achievement? It concerns me as I'm not seeing enough of the hard science destinations at its 6th form which for me, is a marker of good destinations. I am STEM background.

[1805]

UTC? Again I don't know anything about it but I would be interested to hear how it is doing from anybody??

[user1483732237]

DfE published provisional 2017 GCSE results on 12th October 2017. Oxfordshire UTC the lowest performing school in Oxfordshire based on Progress 8. -0.18 progress for St Birinus is average: Oxfordshire UTC -0.68 well below average - in fact THE lowest Progress 8 score in the whole of Oxfordshire! So it might be bright & shiny but not a solution for your ds I think.

[JennyWren]

Didcot Girls School is very highly regarded and the head there has recently become overall head of both schools - they are an academy partnership. St Birinus has lots of good points and I am expecting to see further improvements. Have you been to look around, and speak to staff? How old is your son - are you looking for a space next September?

[1805]

What about Wallingford? You'd probably get a space there, and I've heard good things about it..