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Original poster

Why is it only Southfields Academy with spaces in Wandsworth?

36 replies

justaboutontopofthings · 26/09/2017 22:00

Looking for secondary in year transfer and there seem to be a lot of spaces here when other schools are massively oversubscribed. I have read a little about the school's past but Ofsted says good and results look ok (or are they not all they seem?) Appreciate any local opinions if you have children there or know why this school doesn't seem so popular.

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Original poster
justaboutontopofthings · 27/09/2017 10:56

thanks thecatfromjapan, we'll visit some more and go on waiting lists then. she'd be probably middle to lower sets (depending on cohort) and has dyslexia (not severe but has an impact) so I quite liked they seemed to have a big SEN team too but i'm getting the feeling SA might not be a great fit. Thanks for all the advice.

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thecatfromjapan · 27/09/2017 09:34

If she can carry on at her current school for a bit, it might be worth waiting for other places to turn up. They will turn up.

Southfields is large and not so great. There are some very good schools in Wandsworth, with good pastoral care. I'd hold on. You live in London, with good transport. She has a school place that she can get to - that is probably easier to get to than quite few rural schools. There's no rush, so you might as well hang on and see if another school comes up.

What the previous poster said about low level disruption in middle stream classes is spot on. If she's going to be a middle stream child, she could do with a school that has less of that. It's probably more important for a non-top-set child than less important.

Original poster
justaboutontopofthings · 27/09/2017 09:22

thecatfromjapan north London but we are moving south quite soon.

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Original poster
justaboutontopofthings · 27/09/2017 09:11

Soupoftheday really? I will go sit outside and stake out the place then! Is it much more than the normal behaviour many kids display when let loose at the end of the day?? I've seen (and probably been one of) many children behaving badly / loudly at home time. Is there anything else you could comment on? It's really hard to get info - the website is bad and I don't know people there to get the inside on it.

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thecatfromjapan · 27/09/2017 09:06

Whereabouts do you live justabout ?

Soupoftheday1975 · 27/09/2017 09:02

I live not far from said school and I don't have nice things to say to be honest...if you want to have a feel why don't you come at 3 at the standen road bus stop ! They are so charming - not.

Original poster
justaboutontopofthings · 27/09/2017 08:58

I don't think middle class families have exclusivity on thinking themselves above others and I don't like that attitude wherever it comes from but anyway...

Jeanne16 do you know SA (by saying "similar" I'm hoping so) and if so is it difficult to progress in lower sets? Mychild not top set material but like to think she can make good progress and not fail to achieve much because of what goes on in the classroom. I'm going to take her to have a look round but open days never give you a good feel. Not had any reply to seeing school on a "normal" day...

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Teddygirlonce · 27/09/2017 08:43

There is a lot of local snobbishness about schools though - have you lived in the area??? And I wasn't necessarily suggesting that was a reason to disregard their views but it helps frame them.

jeanne16 · 27/09/2017 08:03

When did it become acceptable to brand middle class people as 'naice', with the obvious implication being they are snobs and to be disregarded. When a school is viewed as being quite rough, it is because it usually is.

I am a secondary school maths teacher and have worked in similar schools. The constant low level disruption in classes is exhausting and means very little is achieved in some lessons. Having said that, if you are confident your DC will end up exclusively in top sets, they can do well as they will be separated from the tougher kids.

Original poster
justaboutontopofthings · 27/09/2017 07:55

Thanks Teddy. Viewed as rough I can cope with. Actually rough might be a concern (DD shy and nervous type). So if it's just snobbery (and tbh plenty of bullies from naice families IME) that's good to hear. Current numbers suggest it's half the size it was a few years ago. Do you know are teachers good - do they stay with the school or are they often recruiting. Know anything about the Head?

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Teddygirlonce · 27/09/2017 06:18

I think because it is regarded as 'rough' by the naice local families. It serves quite a large council state (behind it - think it might be the one where Sadiq Khan grew up?), although that is probably true of most Wandsworth state secondaries (with the exception of the Bolingbroke Academy), even Graveney.

Know lots of Southfields/Wimbledon Park families and Southborough never even gets mentioned as a possible secondary school choice.