Secondary school advice for someone who knows nothing about the British system

26 replies

EscapeInThePark · 11/09/2012 14:08

So I am French and have no idea how the secondary school system really works here.
My oldest dc is in Y5 so I am starting to look at school around. But I would like to know what it is that I really need to check/know.

So far I have gathered that not all schools provide the same options at GCSE so that might make a difference (ds is doing well in maths and could potentially do further in maths/science).
There is also the issue of how well is the school doing. Is being in a better rated school really makes a huge difference later on (ie GCSE, A levels and then applying to Uni)?
What I am not so sure is if you have to attend the same secondary for GCSE and A levels or is it quite common for children to move at that stage?

Any comments would be really welcome.

OP posts:

titchy · 11/09/2012 14:18

All schools will offer the core subjects to GCSE. All pupils have to be offered to chance to do 3 sciences if capable. Some Subjects offered may differ French or German for example. Some may offer dance some may not. The schools website should give details.

Ofsted doesn't really mean as much as people say, and may be out of date. There is no substitute for looking round a school yourself (plenty of threads on here advising what to look for).

If a school has a 6th form most kids will go there, but nothing to stop a child moving elsewhere for A levels. Some schools don't have 6th forms so obviously pupils hae to go elsewhere

HTH

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