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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Secondary School Admissions 2021

54 replies

peacockfeather11 · 08/09/2020 17:43

Hi - not sure if there is a thread on this. First time for me applying for secondary school and feel so lost.
School hasn't sent anything out and doesn't seem to be any meetings set up. Banding tests have been moved out. I don't have a school that my dd can get into easily (or at least a v good one).

OP posts:
carriemathisonshandbag · 09/09/2020 09:46

Another one fumbling around in the dark here. I realise that secondaries have other things to deal with at present, but I am really finding it difficult to make this huge decision.

I am really hoping the schools will do something virtual soon.

WeatherObsessed · 08/09/2020 23:17

Feeling totally lost here too @peacockfeather11. I was totally organised when it came to choosing a primary school but with secondary I don't feel like I have a clue! Our catchment school are hosting a virtual open day. Yet to hear what other local schools are doing.
DS is set on going to his catchment school so far...

Original poster
peacockfeather11 · 08/09/2020 21:26

@clary thank you so much. I hadn't even thought of half these things. Travelling has been a topic, especially during this lockdown.

OP posts:
clary · 08/09/2020 19:15

Hi op, schools normally run open days in September, but I imagine few of these will go ahead.

They should be running some kind of virtual event tho.

In practice, few of us have a wide choice of secondary schools, but most people have one they are close to (sometimes a catchment school, but not all LAs run catchments).

You have four-six choices on the form as a rule, you can put down any school, but as with primary, should include your local school to avoid being sent to some awful place miles away.

Some things to consider:
Clubs and sports offered
Language studied and is there a choice?
Double or triple science at GCSE?
Sixth form at the school?
What kind of tech offer is there if this is something your child may enjoy
What intake numbers; 1000-1200 is a typical size of school (in total!) - personally I would not be keen on a small school of 600 students but you may prefer this
Commute - v important - a friend was delighted when her son got a place at a highly regarded local school, only to realise that his walk to the only possible bus stop would take him at least 35-40 minutes! Not great at 4.30 in December.