UCL Academy Swiss Cottage Stem School or Art Specialist?

[MadgicalMystery]

Looking at this school for 2020 entry as although it's oversubscribed we are nearby and likely to get a place. I liked the fact that I have heard it is a stem school, so Science, technology, engineering and maths specialist - and sponsored by the University, UCL. But I've just read that this year they are changing and offering special places for aptitude in the visual arts as apparently this is also a specialism. I'm hoping to find out more at the open evening but wondered if it's usual for a school to be a stem school and also a visual arts specialist. It seems to me it would make more sense if they are a stem school to offer the places for kids who are gifted at maths and science. Also keen to hear any other feedback anyone might have who has or knows a child at the school. Other threads on here seem fairly negative.

[MadgicalMystery]

Just bumping this up in case anyone has some info

[MadgicalMystery]

I went along to the open evening and found out a bit more - in case anyone is interested. Basically from having initially been set up as a STEM school they feel that the visual arts are an important part of that, that children also shouldn't be stereotyped into arts and sciences too soon and so they are keen to develop a specialism in the arts too. However it is a very small catchment area school so it does seem a unfair that they will be offering 18 places to children who are out of catchment but show an aptitude in the visual arts - but no out of catchment places for children who show an aptitude in the sciences. So basically, if you don't live within half a mile of this school but want the opportunity to go to the only school in the area to offer engineering from year 7, you have to be good at art, not science!

[Zinnia]

I agree it's quite odd. But then the whole school teaching ethos is unusual. If you are keen on the school though, don't be too discouraged by the tiny entry distances for 1st March, I know children significantly further away who were offered places there this year before the start of the autumn term.

[MadgicalMystery]

Thanks Zinnia, can I ask how far away they lived? Do you know any children there and how they are finding it?

[Zinnia]

I'll PM you...

[MaggieHC]

My daughter sat an art test this year and passed it. We live in Hackney so can anyone tell me more about the school as the Ofsted report is quite bad. Please share your experience if you have kids in this school- is it worth considering? thanks