RPA - would you now?

[SlightlyJaded]

DS will be offered RPA no question - we are a spit from the school.

We out it second (after Grey Court) because frankly, preference mean nothing when schools round here are so over subscribed. But this way, we get on the waiting list for Grey Court by default.

Two years ago, I would have been in a panic. Now I feel strangely hopeful. I have done the tours, the talks, and also dropped in unannounced one day to see the school operating on a 'normal' day. I think Paul MC seems driven and so I am trying to ignore tables and results.

I know their last OFSTED was an improvement and their results also improved a little. Am I deluding myself that it's going to be ok? Is anyone else going for it?

DS is bright - all top sets - but not G&T though very strong in maths in particular. Socially he is popular but a bit of a follower. The social aspect of RPA has always worried me more than anything but when I visited, kids seemed well behaved and polite. Dare I say even more so that Grey Court...?

Thoughts anyone else? Although it's all a moot point as we don't have a Plan B (apart from moving house which we would do if it was awful).

[SlightlyJaded]

Bump

[Heliophilous]

We would also be offered RPA, though we are nearer to Christ's. I did not put it down in the end - I put three others, one of which was Grey Court. Christ's is our safe bet, which I put fourth and we might get Waldegrave or Grey Court on a waiting list. I personally did not really like it, and was unimpressed by the progress scores - I know there has been a change in leadership but the school was being talked up all the time those children were at the school and it does not seem to have led to results. The other thing that made me make the decision is that some boys from the year above DD's who had been really horrible to DD a few years ago went there and I heartily hope she never sees any of them again as long as she lives.

However, DD currently goes to one of the least popular local schools and honestly it has mostly been great. So just because something isn't a top choice for other people doesn't mean it won't be right for your DS!