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Original poster

Secondary School Dilemma

32 replies

yvette1971 · 28/02/2015 23:49

So its that time of year and we're attending lots of secondary school open days. We're mainly interested in the independent sector for dd and have hit upon a surprising dilemma...

There are two 'frontrunners' - a busy independent school (400 pupils) which prides itself on 98% GCSE pass rate (A-C incl. English and Maths); and a much smaller school (175 pupils) that has moderately lower results (91%, though some of these are IGCSE so the official league table shows much lower (like 60%). Both are selective entry.

On paper, the busier school would seem better, but I must admit that I felt the smaller school (with much smaller class sizes) just 'felt' better when I looked around.

I couldn't work out why the smaller school gets worse results with smaller classes etc. I spoke with some of the parents and pupils and it seems the smaller school does have some children with additional needs - dyslexia etc, which I don't think the bigger school has. Also, I got the distinct impression at the bigger school (from talking to pupils) that they may be 'selective' about who gets to sit which GCSE exams...

Everyone I speak to tells me to follow the best academic results. Am I wrong to just go with my heart and send DD to the school that 'feels' right? She doesn't seem to mind which of them she goes to !

OP posts:
OddBoots · 01/03/2015 08:08

If you mean 98% A*-C inc English and Maths (rather than 98% just passing) then there are 2 ways a school can get a cohort to that level, very good teaching and 'encouraging' children who won't pass to leave - it's worth knowing how much of each they do before your child starts.

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 01/03/2015 07:58

Finances will be really stretched, they may not be able to attract top notch teachers, teachers may be second-hatting all the time (Geography teachers taking maths classes etc). May not be able to feed kids into good uni's, may have to rely on Mickey mouse subjects, may not be able to participate in the indie sports friendlies as unable to field full teams, may not have facilities to deal with SN or extremes of ability and/or behaviour, and may unoffiically weed out on these grounds.

All of above applies to both schools. Have you investigated any of the above?

NimpyWWindowmash · 01/03/2015 07:44

A small school can look ideal to an 11 year old, but you have to be able to imagine them there at 15/16!

I chose a big school, shy DS in y7 settled in well. Much more opportunities/facilities/gcse options.

As to results, pah, value-add is more important.

As to a-c passrate, how many are a? Would you really be happy with c's?!

Isithappening · 01/03/2015 07:44

I agree that both schools are much too small. We too are choosing between a small independent, a larger independent and a small state school. The schools have numbers of 900, 1400 and 900.
175 is the sort of numbers I would expect in a primary school. With numbers that small I would be very concerned that the GCSE options will be limited as too many options means not enough students in each subject.

Hakluyt · 01/03/2015 07:34

Both much too small in my opinion. Once they reach secondary school, most children need to spread their wings a bit- hard to do with so few in a year group.

stilllearnin · 01/03/2015 00:15

Hello. Firstly it depends on your child who you know better than I, so think about what you have learnt from primary prep in relation to what suits your child.

But apart from that I would echo what inthename said. our children went to a small independent school. Ds was at secondary age there, and it was often claustrophobic and the mix of additional needs was not that well catered for. And as they got old it really was too small for most of them. You could never steer clear of teachers or pupils that you didn't get on so well with. And yes, it shut very suddenly and with no warning at all due to the finances.

inthename · 01/03/2015 00:04

Be careful with the very small school,whilst it may seem desirable at 11, will it provide enough scope at GCSE and A level, will the friendship 'pool' be too small in reality for a 16 yr old? Also, take a good look at its finances. A lot of smaller cosy schools are family owned and are struggling in the current economic climate, you don't want to be looking for another school suddenly.