Schools guide for state schools ?

[farawaymummy]

we will move back to uk in two years and i need to decide where to live....this depends onlybreally on where i find a good state school !!! D works from home. Have found the good schools guide but looking for a state school guide...any tips ?
Looking for a school like bedales, a little altenative and not so worried about a level league tables.... Ds apparently bright but with adhd and stubbornness, only gets the marks in essays on his fsvourite subject !!! Also good at drama, singing and music. Crap at sports. We thought dorset...or well anywhere not in a city...

[hocuspontas]

You'll be lucky to get a state school like that! All state schools 'worry' about league tables, apparently most parents use this a prime source when selecting a secondary school.

[TalkinPeace2]

Sidmouth
www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/performancetables/school_10.pl?Mode=Z&Base=c&Type=SC&Year=10&Phase=1&Begin=2&No=8784011&Num=878&s2s=1

[TalkinPeace2]

www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/performancetables/school_10.pl?Mode=Z&Base=c&Type=SC&Year=10&Phase=1&Begin=2&No=8784011&Num=878&s2s=1

got link right !
or Totnes way or Bridport - pick the town

[mummytime]

The good schools guide has some (and an increasing number) of State schools in.

HOWEVER state schools like Bedales do not exist. State schools have to follow the National curriculum, and are judged regularily by OFSTED, and by the dreaded league tables. The latest is to judge them by the number of pupils getting the EBACC, that is who achieve GCSEs A* to C in English , Maths,at least both of Core Science and Additional Science, a modern foreign language, and one of Geography and Maths.
If schools do not worry about league tables (state schools that is), they drop down, then less people apply. This leads to empty places (=less money), and less desirable pupils being given places. This would be a downward spiral.

Next key point is how old is you son? I would not recommend returning after year 9 (age 14 at the end) and preferably not after the end of year 8.

Also is he at a English curriculum school, an IB school or something else?

[mummytime]

Sorry I meant Geography or History!

[farawaymummy]

HI mummytime - thanks for the info- he is 9 years old at the moment, at a british curriculum school and just started in year 5. I initially found it confusing that private schools start at around 13 years, whereas state schools would appear to start at 11 - is that right ?
But then Cranbrook grammar which my niece happens to go to, starts at 13 too but is a state boarding school.
My head is reeling - we will need to fly over to visit schools but I need at least to have some sort of short list and well, before that, some idea of schools that would suit !
He does well in his school that is multi- approach learning and its rather modern I think. He 'closes down' when in a very competitive environment which is why I think a grammar school would not be good ( if he even got in ) ... but school and edu psy report says is very bright. Hmmm - he is hiding it from me !

[valerian]

I'd recommend the Good Schools Guide, too. Fun to read as well.

[Dozer]

The state schools in the Good Schools Guide are mainly highly-selective grammars.

[meditrina]

Be aware that it is really difficult to apply for a UK state school until you have an address (as distance is a typical entrance criteria if the school is over subscribed) (unless you are returning HM Armed Forces, in which case there are some additional provisions).

If you have a short(ish) list of places you think you'd like to live, that will help. The Good Schools Guide is very good, but also for the state sector look at the local authority website for all the schools in the area, and flow links to each school, its prospectus, OFSTED reports etc. And try asking here for opinions on a short list when you have one.

[TheWomanOnTheBus]

Trouble is, I'm not sure the Good Schools Guide really ever tells the truth. I have not read one "bad" review. Now this could be because all the schools I'm looking at are above a minimum standard (natch), but still...

Although of course there is much reading between the lines to be had - if only I was any good at that. Anyone who is: can they provide a guide to the Guide?