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Secondary school woes :(

8 replies

ChoccyMonster · 09/03/2009 11:04

What's more important, social or academic?

See we have the choice of two schools. Both very bad.

School 'A' is our catchment school. It has a bad name but mainly because it is in the middle of a really bad council estate.

School 'B' is further away but would be an easy alternative as it too is a crap school so always has places.

Here are the pros and cons:

School A -

Pro - Slightly better exam results than school B with 21% gaining 5 or more GCSEs (I know its still a terrible result).
Pro - Nearby so easy for DS to get to.
Pro - Good range of subjects in year 9 including diplomas in ICT, Media and Business Studies

Cons - The kids that go there - some from down our street that take the mick out of DS and call him gay etc now so I'm in no doubt that would start on him if he went there. Especially as they will have been there a year when he starts.
Cons - Known for bullying and lack of handling
Cons - has its own police unit onsite (!!)

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School B

Pro - Further away so away from the local kids
pro - Has a slightly better reputation
Pro - Safer area for DS to walk to and from
Pro - Has a rep for being tough on bullying

Cons - Even worse results than school A with only 18% gaining 5 GCSEs
Cons - Doesn't have the diplomas etc that school A does
Cons - Has dificulty attracting and keeping teachers.

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So, if you had to choose - which one would you go for?

I'm thinking School A would be better academically but School B would be easier for him to 'fit in'.

OP posts:

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chanelcandy · 09/03/2009 11:08

I would choose school B, he needs to be happy more than anything else. Also there is not a huge difference between 18% and 22%. Hope that helps.

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Northernlurker · 09/03/2009 11:09

In the absence of a plan C, I would go for school B - sounds like your son would be happier there and that will be essential for him achieving his best.

I would also write to your councillor and ask them if they thing 18% and 21% are acceptable levels for results!