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Original poster

Mossbourne vs. Stoke Newington

41 replies

purpleturtle1 · 27/09/2021 13:27

Hi,
I know there have been previous posts on this topic which I’ve read… just wondering if anyone has any up-to-date thoughts on either Mossbourne (Community Academy) or Stoke Newington School? Applications deadline is looming. My very bright and academic, but also very sociable, DD has been increasingly leaning towards Stokey rather than a couple of other all-girls options - because she likes the idea of a local school, and most of her primary school friends will be going there. I’d (possibly unfairly) pretty much dismissed Mossbourne as an option because I didn’t like the sound of their very draconian behaviour policy. But we visited Mossbourne last week and I was really impressed - seemed like great facilities and fantastic teachers. I must admit I like the idea of academic setting, too. DD really liked it too, more than she was expecting to.

I know the lottery system means we’re much more likely to get Stokey, but am now second-guessing whether we should put Mossbourne down 1st. It’s also a fairly local school, unlikely that any of DD’s close friends will be going, but she should still know a few kids there…

Probably naively, I didn’t realise how much angst would be attached to this whole process. Any thoughts from anyone welcome!

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Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 10/10/2023 09:42

Hi,
I feel for you - it’s such a stressful time!
We ended up going for Stokey so my DD is now in year 8 there. We did put Mossbourne as our 1st choice but didn’t get it - it’s so over-subscribed. DD also had the option of going to a girls’ “outstanding” state school in central London but ultimately chose Stokey as she liked it and was very keen to be with all her friends!
She is happy at Stokey and is doing well. Great being at a community school a 10-minute walk away with so many local friends. The pastoral care is good and there is generally a caring, compassionate ethos.
I have my reservations about it, which are all the typical Mumsnetty reservations you might have seen if you search up Stoke Newington School! The lack of academic setting in any subjects drives me crazy as does the general lack of an academic ethos. It’s all a bit laissez-faire for my liking. But then I went to a selective private school so I probably keep comparing it to my own secondary school experience - which is a chalk and cheese comparison.

Feel free to PM me if it would be helpful!

OP posts:
Haysedge77 · 09/10/2023 14:11

Hello - this thread is old now but where did you end up going!? I'm currently in your position fast forward 2 years and feeing the same level of anxiety in making the right decision!

imip · 16/10/2021 15:37

Just so you know, the Hackney deadline is artificial because so many people were late! We changed dds preference after the Hackney deadline. Our dc are at one of the City Academy chains, if you haven’t considered them already.

Mrsfrumble · 16/10/2021 15:25

I know what you mean! At first I was annoyed that the Hackney deadline is a week earlier than everywhere else, but now I’m glad we’ll have to have decided by next week. I’m looking forward to spending my leisure time reading something other than Ofsted reports and SEN policies.

Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 16/10/2021 13:23

Hi Mrsfrumble!

Yes I think we’re pretty decided on our top four. It will be Mossbourne, Stokey, Clapton Girls and a central London girls’ school we may have a shot at getting into because we go to church. Not entirely sure of the order, but I’m increasingly feeling it will be Mossbourne above Stokey. The reality is because of the lottery system and catchment, we’re likely to be offered Stokey on the 1st March, but then we could at least go on the waiting list for Mossbourne.

I really like the academic setting at Mossbourne vs no academic setting at Stokey. And the more I think about it, the more I think a strict environment might not be such a bad thing for DD. She’s very influenced by her peers (as are many kids!) and I’m increasingly unsure that the laissez-faire Stokey ethos would be best for her.

This really isn’t the decision I thought I’d have been making a month ago! I do understand the drawbacks of the Mossbourne approach (including those discussed on this thread). We didn’t look round Haggerston; perhaps we should have done. But I think any more decisions to make and my head might explode Smile

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Mrsfrumble · 15/10/2021 18:14

Hey @purpleturtle1 and other posters contemplating Hackney comps, how are you getting on? We have our top 3 decided now, just trying to decide between Mossbourne and Haggerston for 4th place. I’m still not convinced that the boot camp nature of Mossbourne would suit DS, but it’s less of a trek than Haggerston.

AutumnBluez · 13/10/2021 09:50

Rally helpful thread, thank you. Does anyone have views on how Bridge Academy compares to the others?

flumpettyflump · 10/10/2021 21:40

So helpful thanks so much.

I have lots of friends with kids at Haggerston and they all seem happy. But of course you never know.

I would like DD to go to single sex - not sure of her views on that yet.

Clambering · 10/10/2021 21:09

Our DD wanted a girls’ school so that made the decision really straightforward. We are pretty happy with both schools. I don’t think that the difference between outstanding for Clapton vs good for Haggerston is obvious at all from dealing with them. I believe that Haggerston overhauled the behaviour policy about 4 years ago and it’s now pretty clear, and corrections reset to zero every week.

Haggerston has a great tech/art building and lots of space generally. One thing that we really liked was a separate playground for Y7 to help with transition. Our DS was really positive about Haggerston having been on the tour, he really liked the buildings. We’ve found them very good when we’ve needed to query things.

Clapton had a really good variety of after school clubs (presumably they’ve started up again after covid but DD isn’t doing them any more). Also very good tennis & basketball.

I think if Haggerston is that close I would definitely consider it - DS has a longer journey and that’s one of the few things which we view as a downside. Hope that helps…

Clambering · 10/10/2021 18:51

@flumpettyflump

Hi *@Clambering* for a girl, would you go for Clapton girls over Haggerston? Haggerston would be a lovely commute for my DD (totally car free). But obviously Clapton G rated outstanding....
Hi, just wrote a long reply & lost it ... grrr! I'll write it again later.
flumpettyflump · 10/10/2021 15:33

Hi @Clambering for a girl, would you go for Clapton girls over Haggerston? Haggerston would be a lovely commute for my DD (totally car free). But obviously Clapton G rated outstanding....

Clambering · 10/10/2021 12:34

Hi! Just found this thread. My DS is in Y8 at Haggerston (& my DD Y11 at Clapton Girls). I would recommend Haggerston. The behaviour policy is clear and corrections wipe clean at the end of every week. When we've needed to raise questions with the school they have got back to us very quickly. Lovely big site, too, which was one thing my DS was drawn to.

AyeAyeMister · 09/10/2021 15:41

@Mrsfrumble

Ooh, interesting *@shamoola*. Petchey has been a last minute addition to our list, and we just managed to scrape onto their last open morning on the 21st. How long has your child been there? How are they / you finding it behaviour-wise?

I have to laugh a little at setting for PE. DS is certainly no athlete so would undoubtedly be in the bottom set 😂

A friend of mine removed her son from Petchey as he was bullied really badly (physical assault on more than one occasion) and the school did very little to address it. Her son felt unsafe.
Mrsfrumble · 09/10/2021 14:40

I felt similar. I really liked the space and the atmosphere, and walking there with DS reminded of how pleasant and easy his journey would be - basically just cutting through the park - so no concerns about safety etc. Their SEN policy looks good and I think he’d be well looked after in that respect. On the downside, I do worry about the liberal, laidback reputation it has, and the amount of self-motivation he might need to really achieve. Also the creative focus is lovely but DS is far more interested in / drawn to STEM subjects.
In short, it possibly won’t be our first choice but I’d be content if he ended up going there (though might start saving up for a tutor later on if he needs more pushing than they provide…)

Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 09/10/2021 13:12

Mrsfrumble thanks for the tip on Re-educated. Sounds interesting - I’ve ordered it!
What did you think of the Stokey open day? I really liked the atmosphere, walking around. Seems like a caring, friendly and creative place, as big comprehensives go. But it did not allay my anxieties regarding the academic side of things…!

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Mrsfrumble · 08/10/2021 19:52

@shamoola the more ambitious range of MFLs on offer at Petchey was one of the reasons we added it to the list. I understand the usefulness of Spanish, but I’ve been disappointed that at some schools it’s the only thing on offer.

Mrsfrumble · 08/10/2021 19:16

Meant to say, for those pondering on Mossbourne, I picked a copy of the book Re-educated by Lucy Kellaway today. She a journalist who retrained as a teacher in a her 50s, and trained and now teaches at MCA. It’s an easy read and very insightful about the culture there.

shamoola · 08/10/2021 18:58

@Mrsfrumble my DC is in year 9. I'm not aware of any outrageous behaviour issues - nothing that you wouldn't find anywhere else. My child says that people are well behaved in their classes (may not be the same across-the-board)

He is studying Mandarin as his MFL and a two week trip to China is planned at some point - amazing opportunity.

They do seem to get very little homework but I'm not always sure how beneficial homework actually is.

We took a bit of a gamble as Stoke Newington has a good reputation and Petchey doesn't have a great one but I think locals are very loyal to Stokey and many are affluent which means lots of kids have great parental support meaning that the results are good. I'm not clear how much of that is down to the school.

I think you always try and find reasons to justify your decision. But think I would make the same one again.

TaylorsSwimShorts · 08/10/2021 18:57

Just for anyone considering Haggerston....its STRICT...ridiculously so, I have moved 1 kid in yr 9, and just removed another at the start of yr 8 due to them not adhering to his EHCP, I'd definitely not recommend for a kid with SEN, I still have 1 kid there in yr 10, so far shes doing OK but cannot wait to leave for 6th form...

Mrsfrumble · 08/10/2021 18:37

Ooh, interesting @shamoola. Petchey has been a last minute addition to our list, and we just managed to scrape onto their last open morning on the 21st. How long has your child been there? How are they / you finding it behaviour-wise?

I have to laugh a little at setting for PE. DS is certainly no athlete so would undoubtedly be in the bottom set 😂

shamoola · 08/10/2021 18:27

Our closest school is Stokey but we chose Petchey Academy instead. Stokey seemed chaotic, too many students in a small space and had to me what seemed like strange options for GCSE.

My child is thriving at Petchey, lots of opportunities, and diverse intake. They are set in Maths, Science, English, and PE.

So far it's been the right choice.

Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 08/10/2021 14:08

Those are really helpful thoughts about Mossbourne - thank you.
I hadn’t considered Haggerston at all but should look again I think.
Aarrghhhh! So undecided.

OP posts:
Humanahumana · 08/10/2021 13:46

The videos they did for the incoming year 7s in lieu of a transition day are still up. I didn’t find them very inspiring. www.mca.mossbourne.org/2021/06/23/year-6-transition-2021/

tint677 · 08/10/2021 13:39

Mrsfrumble, I'm pretty sure Haggerston set from start of year Yr 7 for the more academic subjects - things like drama, music, PE are mixed.

Mrsfrumble · 08/10/2021 13:27

Argh, I’m wavering on Haggerston now! It doesn’t look great on paper but everyone who goes there seems to love it. I wish I’d gone to see it for myself. I like that they have specific G & T support; not that I think DS is Grin but I like that they’re committed to supporting and stretching the most able students too. Do they do any setting?

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