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Original poster

southfields academy vs richmond park academy

33 replies

chani84 · 27/04/2013 16:41

My daughter will be starting secondary school this september 2013. We didnt get a place at any of the schools we listed but have been offered a place at both richmond park academy and southfields academy. We have been to look around both schools and while they were both ok we didnt like them as much as Ashcroft which was our first choice. Was just wondering if any parents had children at these schools or were thinking of sending their children and what your thoughts on the on schools were as we really dont know what the best choice for our daughter is. Thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
chani84 · 27/04/2013 22:04

Hi, this was a worry as when we went to look around the school on a normal working day the kids did seem alittle rough and abit cheeky. My daughter is so shy and quite i worry she will be picked on or get with a bad crowd to fit in. Did your colleague find it easy to get their dd a place at st cecilias?

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marriedinwhiteagain · 27/04/2013 22:02

There will be movement - we moved our dd from a school not far from Southfields with 9 applicants for every place; her place was filled by a child from a school you have mentioned and the movement would have whacked through the system with the vacant place left at Southfields or somewhere similar.

Mumzy · 27/04/2013 21:54

Until last year a colleagues dd went to Southfields and she said whilst the teaching staff did their best the cohort was very disengaged and her dd ended up with a badcrowd. Eventually she moved her dd to st cecilias which her dd found very hard at first as the expectations were so much higher. Sorry know nothing about Richmond.

Original poster
chani84 · 27/04/2013 21:30

Thanks for your comments. We did visit both schools and if im honest i didnt really get a great feel of any of them. I have heard good and bad reviews of RPA but i know nothing about southfields. I do know southfields got marked outstanding by ofsted but i couldnt understand if thats the case then why it still has places free when the likes of Ashcroft and St cecilias are full. We are appealing for a place at Ashcroft but i know the chances of winning are not great so really feel abit confused about which school to chose now.

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marriedinwhiteagain · 27/04/2013 21:13

Also, can you keep your child on various waiting lists - there is significant movement up to September and then into Y7, 8 and 9.

marriedinwhiteagain · 27/04/2013 21:12

I think all you can do is visit both schools and look carefully at their results. I know more about Southfields than Sheen. I also know some local people from both who are now in their 30s and seem fairly grounded. Think you will have to trust your instincts and decide on the one you think your child will be happiest at. Am aware the head of Southfields is well regarded and has made significant improvements working with a disengaged cohort. I cannot comment about the old Sheen school. It might be a case of you getting a feel for where culturally and socially your child is likely to be happier.

Original poster
chani84 · 27/04/2013 21:01

Hi, yes it was but think they changed the name last year. I had never even heard of this school before wandsworth council told me they had places there. I know RPA was the old Sheen school and was awful at one time so really not sure whats the best choice to go for?

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marriedinwhiteagain · 27/04/2013 20:53

I work locally in Education. What exactly was Southfields Academy? Was it Southfields Community College once upon a time?

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