Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Viewing a school tonight

107 replies

Gileswithachainsaw · 27/09/2017 12:35

What do i look out for so I don't fall for any nonsense.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 20:43

We can list up to 6 bit I didn't have 6 to list so I've filled up the gaps with ones I have no chance with but have nothing to lose. Have obviously listed the banker school

OP posts:
Toomanycats99 · 28/09/2017 20:36

@CottonSock

We are quite lucky where we live. We have 11+ so we have one grammar and one with a Grammar stream we can apply to (hopefully!)

I then have 4 non grammars I can be fairly certain of getting into. Plus a new one opening this coming year that would be a possibility. All the non grammar have above average a-c grades at gcse.

All of the non grammars have been quite different and would suit my dd to varying degrees. I have just been thinking this week that actually I am quite fortunate in this respect, I’m not sure how I would feel if I literally had one local option and I felt it was not the right fit for my daughter regardless of how well it performed.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 28/09/2017 20:34

You don't get a choice you get to express a preference. In our council it's in order or preference 1 to 3. But if your preference is totally atbifds with the selection criteria then you are wasting your time.

CottonSock · 28/09/2017 20:33

I guess you get a c hoice where i live in the application form, but the actual choice is limited

Thingsiseeinmybathroom · 28/09/2017 20:29

Is it usual to actually have a choice at secondary? Or is this private?

In our borough you get 3 choices, 1st, 2nd, 3rd..
As it happened my DD was not offered one of hers, but the local academy which is terrible, but we are in the catchment for.
We were preparing for appeal when her choice of school called offering her a place.

CottonSock · 28/09/2017 20:26

Is it usual to actually have a choice at secondary? Or is this private?

Toomanycats99 · 28/09/2017 20:22

We went to see a school last week.the y8 along is round told us they had cctv outside so they were safe from mugging. The teacher behind us looking slightly horrified said but we have never had a mugging. I piped up that’s because you have cctv!!

In all fairness the town centre of the borough this school is in is fairly rough but the school is at the very edge in a nice green residential area and has a good reputation. The Mugging risk would not cross my mind!

CamperVamp · 28/09/2017 19:57

"Don't get sidetracked by the double/triple science thing. Lots of schools have been forced down the double science line and it's fine. Not ideal, probably, but fine. Ditto MFL. A choice is brilliant, but not essential."

Depends on your child. Science and maths were the lifeblood of Dc's GCSE years and doing the extra units across the 3 sciences kept him engaged. Other kids (none of mine!) really want to do more than one language: it is their passion, aptitude and a plan for the future!

All depends.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 17:23
Grin

Worse

OP posts:
MumTryingHerBest · 28/09/2017 17:16

I've looked at the progress 8 and in fact posted a screen shit

Was it really that bad Grin

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 17:08

I've looked at the progress 8 and in fact posted a screen shit on another thread to get opinions from those who were more knowledgeable than me..

It's ok I've just about come to terms with it now I have back up plans to go on lists and until the 11 plus results come out in 2 weeks I still have a teeny bit of hope... Grin

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 28/09/2017 17:03

I presume you've checked the reality of the results by doing a deepish dive into the league tables?

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 16:54

About the school?

Find out when I visit next week

From what I've heard and the lousy results the only selling point so far is it's local

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 28/09/2017 16:51

"I have prepared myself for being on top of absolutely everything and jumping in at the first sign of any problems"

Any good points?

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 16:29

Yes it's 99.9 percent certain she will get the local academy I don't want and is inadequate on pretty much everything.

I have prepared myself for being on top of absolutely everything and jumping in at the first sign of any problems

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 28/09/2017 16:03

When it became obvious that ds would be going to a school neither he nor I wanted him to go to, we worked at finding ways to fill the gaps- in his case music and drama, there wasn't a problem with sport . It made a big difference.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 09:41

She already does a cricket club in the summer Grin

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 28/09/2017 09:40

You could find her an outside school cricket club- if she's county level she'll find beginners school cricket incredibly tedious.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 09:13

Thats what I'm hoping. She hates dance and netball she already has multiple badges and medals for gymnastics...they do hockey but there's no hockey team so nowhere to go with it but she loves cricket and had played for her current school in county competitions so really wants cricket

OP posts:
nocampinghere · 28/09/2017 09:08

if they have cricket for the boys surely they can extend this to the girls if there are enough girls wanting it? Girls cricket has ballooned in the past few years. Don't write off the cricket... they obviously have a teacher and facilities.

BertrandRussell · 28/09/2017 08:22

Don't get sidetracked by the double/triple science thing. Lots of schools have been forced down the double science line and it's fine. Not ideal, probably, but fine. Ditto MFL. A choice is brilliant, but not essential.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 08:16

I have 2 more to see.

The local failingacademy and the one I really want her to go too but im.not taking dd to that one as getting in is unlikely and I don't want to carrot wave. I will arrange to see with her depending on our waiting list positions

OP posts:
TansyVioletta · 28/09/2017 08:14

How many/what type of school will you see?

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 08:03

Well there was cricket but only for boys Angry

OP posts:
Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 08:02

Right update...

Tech facilities Great!!! Teacher reminded me of alfie wickers I liked him. Was probably the most genuine person I met all night.

The building itself was huge seemed to be a good range of facilities library pretty good and parts looked a bit tired but will get that anywhere.

The children seemed well mannered and well turned out. I did my best to prove for info and from what I can gather the experiments and activities going on weren't every day things but there was a fair bit of practice work.

I didn't get a chance to ask about triple science as there were lots of parents trying to ask questions and our group moved on befire I could get to the teachers...

On the flip side the heads talk was bukk shit. Far to try to hard. Everything from Coldplay to Mohammed Ali and I honestjy can't tell you half of what he said given Itbwas really hard to focus on wtf he was going on about when it was so hot and he took 15 mins explaining a sodding acronym Hmm

He just have read this thread as he made a point of saying how the kids had chosen to be here tonight and hadn't been hand picked..

Still, the girls giving our tour reminded me of the duggars where they have to smile all the time....

Felt very forced not one negative thing to say at all...

Was disappointed with the sports side
I had attempted to try and find out about teams and external competitions and it was fruitless no one seemed to know. And dd was instantly disappointed there was no cricket.

Over all mixed feelings. It wouldn't be the end of the work of she went there but I didn't feel particularly inspired either.

OP posts: