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Original poster

Nottingham High School vs local "Outstanding" state secondary

32 replies

Tigertoes · 15/10/2017 21:22

DD year 6 is bright and ambitious and we are looking at school choices. An absolute is that it must be co-ed as I want her and her 2 brothers to be at the same school.
Our local secondary is rated very highly, although I don't know what all the numbers mean TBH and we looked round and thought it was fine. There were some aspects I didn't like, large ish classes, mixed ability maths years 7 and 8, lessons before school if you want to do triple science, slightly tatty etc but generally was fine and we know lots of lovely families there who say it's an academically demanding school. Quite a few of our friends kids have got 10 A* and I think DD should be capable of doing similar. It would also be 5 minutes walk and, erm, free.
But then we went to look round the High School. It is clearly glossier and slicker and gets amazing results, but then so it should. DD loved it but they did give her muffins and let her do loads of cool taster stuff so I am not quite sure what she was assessing. I liked the facilities and the teachers and loved the sense that they would have a door opened to a set of opportunities and exposures that allow them to feel they can succeed at the very highest levels on a national or world stage as a matter of course (may not have expressed this very well). However, I was wary of how often the bursar and fees and results and oxbridge were mentioned and did't get a particularly warm vibe from the other parents, although the tour guiding high school kids were very charming. I also worry that having education served up in such easily digestible packages makes one less resilient and self starting in the long term. No idea if this is true though?
We can just about afford all 3 going there from income I think but it will leave very little to save for their university etc (joint 100k) and we will really feel the drop in disposable income, life would be fine but a lot less comfortable.
I appreciate we are in such a lucky position, and either choice would be fine, but I just don't know how to balance all the considerations. Is the financial and logistical outlay worth it for the experiences, facilities, small class sizes, etc or is it actively not worth it? Would it be better to give them some saved cash for uni and to start up in life? What makes the decision clear in the end? I really need a crystal ball!
They would probably go High school for sixth form anyway all being well so perhaps that a reasonable compromise?

OP posts:
NoMudNoLotus · 15/10/2017 22:43

If it is West Bridgford Comp go with that one you wont be disappointed.

I know people that got into the High school and their children still went to West Bridgford comp.

Emmanuel, Rushcliffe and Becket I would not be so sure.

My DD goes to WBC , not regretted it for a second.

Strawberrybubblebath · 15/10/2017 22:31

When was it rated Outstanding?
Some of the Ofsted ratings are many many years old and way out of date. For some reason they don't re inspect Outstanding schools very often so the Ofsted report may be completely inaccurate.
A local Outstanding Primary in our area has been through 3 head teachers since its rating. The current report has no real relevance to the school now as its so out of date!

Original poster
Tigertoes · 15/10/2017 22:20

Thanks. I mean the NHS, formerly boys now co-ed. We looked at NGHS too, great facilities and results, but interestingly DD didn't like it for some unexplained reason and DH and I were pretty fixed on co-ed so we have discounted it.
User, you raise an interesting point about how the co-ed aspect is being integrated. They said they wanted to be 50:50 asap. I do wonder how that might affect the approach to this year's intake? I wouldn't want DD to get in on the basis of being a girl- I don't really have a great idea of what level of acheivement in state primary would be regarded as being able enough for NHS?

OP posts:
user1471451159 · 15/10/2017 22:00

DS went to NHS. Fabulous school with amazing opportunities. However for all sorts of reasons I think he would have pushed himself more academically at the local comp and possibly aimed slightly higher for University elsewhere too. But that's just one opinion. To answer another of your questions the other parents were lovely and to be honest I encountered more snobbery and cliquey-ness at our local primary school! I can't advise on the co-ed aspect though as DS left before it went truly co-ed. PM me if you have any more questions

Plonkysaurus · 15/10/2017 21:34

Do you mean the girls high school?

I went there for year seven, left as it didn't suit me, then went back for sixth form. It is incredibly rigorous and competitive. If your dd is exceptionally bright, as my sister was, she will thrive there. If she has to work hard she may find she is left behind somewhat. The learning environment is wonderful, and there's no sense that you're being taught to pass exams; you're being taught to learn. The facilities are spectacular too. Once you're used to the small class sizes it's difficult to get back into classes of 30, which is why I returned at 16 (I went to a different all girls school nearby for the interim). It's a real privilege to go to that school but it's difficult for lots of kids who just can't thrive in it. They do place a lot of importance on results - I was a pariah in upper sixth as one of only four who didn't plan to go to university!

Mind you, the head who was there when I was left awhile ago, and I don't know anything about the current one. I left in 2004 so lots could be different by now.

As for my peers from NGHS - almost all have done well. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, journalists. No idea how much is who they are and their home environments, and how much is their school environment.

twinone · 15/10/2017 21:27

I guess you could put her in for the 11+ and decide from there.

Original poster
Tigertoes · 15/10/2017 21:24

I would really appreciate thoughts from those who have been in a similar situation either here in Nottingham or elsewhere. How did you finally decide?!

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