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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!

OP posts:
tint677 · 08/10/2021 12:31

Open Days are always impressive - it's really hard to tell from them! I think you should dig into how Mossbourne get their results. One is that they study GCSE's over 3 years not 2. Increasingly schools do that, but it means that unless your DD opts to do Music/ Drama/ Art for GCSE, she won't study them past year 8. Other Hackney schools commit to arts through year 9 (Haggerston definitely does - as others have said, that's a great school, it's worth travelling to!)

At Mossbourne they race through the course content for GCSE in years 9 and 10, then in year 11 it's just going over and over old papers. It gets them great results, but isn't much fun. I suppose it depends what you want though - Mossbourne kids do get higher grades as a result.

On discipline, it really is full on. A friend's DD who went to Mossbourne for sixth form told me she often hears teachers yelling as she walks past classrooms. She's been really shocked by it. I've heard similar from parents of children there too. If you study there, you have to buy in and then you can duck under the radar, but it sounds pretty stressful!

This is a few years ago now, but one of my DS's friends transferred there in year 8. He was one of 6 new kids starting in the spring term - I think that tells you a lot - why were 6 kids leaving in year 8 - they won't all be just moving house! A lot transferred out of my DS's school to go in year 7 - places seemed to come up all the way through the year. There's always a waiting list, so Mossbourne easily fill places. It's selection in a way - if you don't fit, you're encouraged to leave and that leaves Mossbourne with the kids who toe their line.

I'm guessing the kids you met at the shop will be kids who've bought into the system - it really does work for some, but I'm not sure it's much fun and for some kids it's really too much. Good luck with your choice. It's not easy I know!

Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 07/10/2021 20:17

Am following your thread on academic setting with interest btw! I very much agree with your perspective. Think it’s a huge shame that it seems have been done away with at so many schools.

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 07/10/2021 20:14

Mrsfrumble the open day didn’t involve a talk from the headteacher (I think because of Covid they didn’t want to get everyone crammed into the hall to hear the talk) so it was just visiting different areas, trying out different activities, and chatting to teachers and students. So there was no chance for an official line on the behaviour policy.
By chance I ran into two Mossbourne students outside a local shop a few days ago, explained I was a year 6 mum and asked them about their experience of the behaviour policy (yes, I am at the stage of asking random kids in school uniform what they think of their school Grin ) They were in year 8 apparently - both laughed when I asked them and seemed encouragingly relaxed about the whole thing. Said “you learn what you can get away with” and which teachers are the most strict etc. But I was encouraged by their relaxed attitude to the rules - didn’t seem stressed or anxious about them at all.
I do suspect it may be a bit of a Marmite approach - but am increasingly thinking it could work for DD.

OP posts:
Mrsfrumble · 07/10/2021 17:48

Ha! I’ve just started a thread about academic setting, or lack there of. Setting in Y9 was the only thing that made my 1990s comprehensive experience bearable.

How much did they talk about the rules and discipline at the open evening @purpleturtle1?

Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 07/10/2021 17:13

No mobile phones even on the journey to and from school?! DD has no SEN, but even so - what happens if there was a change of plan or something went wrong or she needed to contact me or her dad? This rule seems a bit bonkers. I’m afraid I’d probably tell DD to quietly ignore it 😂 Maybe I’m not quite rule-abiding enough to be a Mossbourne parent.,,
It’s a shame, because I think some of the other rules make a lot of sense, and I really liked it at the open day, as did DD. There seemed to be some excellent teachers, great facilities - and I am a huge fan of academic setting.
I love so many things about Stokey school, but the lack of any kind of academic setting, even in maths - why?! 😩 A sort of anti-elitist thing, I guess?
Anyway, we’ll be at the Stokey Saturday open day too, mrsfrumble 😊

OP posts:
flumpettyflump · 07/10/2021 16:18

I think Stoke Newington would be a great option and having friends there would be a major plus.

Mrsfrumble · 07/10/2021 16:00

It does come across as if Mossbourne know they’ll always be so oversubscribed that they can get away with being unaccommodating. It’s a shame because I love the look of their curriculum and their music provision. We’re in the outer admission zone anyway so only a handful of places available per band.

I was erring against Haggerston as it would be a hassle to get to from where we are, and I don’t think I’ve got time to go and look round. Lots of people love it, I know.

We’ll see how we get on at Stoke Newington at their open morning on Saturday. It’s our closest school and at least of couple of DS’s current classmates will be going there, which appeals.

flumpettyflump · 07/10/2021 15:43

Totally agree. My friends daughter has sen, totally obedient but vulnerable and they were upset by the phone policy.

Jaxx · 07/10/2021 15:06

The Mossbourne mobile phone policy was a deal breaker for us.

I can remember being quite shocked by the lack of flexibility of this. My son has an EHC Plan and lives 3 miles away, but was told he would not be allowed a phone (or any cash) for the journey to and from school.

No problem with no phones in school, silent corridors, strict uniforms, detentions (they are just not a big thing and usually used to do homework), but he needs the security of his phone, in case something goes wrong when travelling around London.

Senco’s suggestion was for LA to fund transport 😂 They are reluctant to do this with anyone - let alone someone who is more than capable of travelling independently.

flumpettyflump · 07/10/2021 14:58

Have you ruled out Haggerston? I have a few friends with kids there and they seem happy (the parents and the kids)

Mrsfrumble · 07/10/2021 14:31

Thanks, that’s very useful!

I think quiet hallways would probably suit DS, and strict uniform policies are fine as he doesn’t care what he wears (although if they are a “blazers at all times” school I wouldn’t be happy). The “no mobiles in uniform” does seem to draconian when I think of my tiny PFB travelling through Hackney by himself with no means of contacting us.

flumpettyflump · 07/10/2021 13:49

Sure

No talking in halls
Punishments for having a mobile phone whilst in uniform (not in school)
Not able to challenge teachers
Punishments for yellow shoe laces

I've not witnessed any of this by the way! Just things kids and parents have told me.

Mrsfrumble · 07/10/2021 13:40

Hi @flumpetto. Would you mind giving examples of “seriously strict”? I’ve read their behaviour policy and it seems quite reasonable, but there’s a thread running ATM on AIBU or Chat about very strict schools, and people are mentioning students getting detention for turning their heads in class and not being allowed to remove their blazers etc (although not mentioning specific schools). Would you say Mossbourne’s version of “super strict” was actually unreasonable, or just not suitable for some families? Thanks!

flumpetto · 28/09/2021 09:34

I know a couple of kids who went to Mossbourne and did well. I wouldn't say they loved it but they are lovely kids and have gone on to RG universities. But it is seriously strict. I don't think it would suit my DD.

Original poster
purpleturtle1 · 28/09/2021 09:30

Hi mrsfrumble,
I’d be interested in hearing about pastoral care at Mossbourne too. I was really impressed at the open evening. I know they’re putting on a show to some extent but it really made me think again about it as a serious option for DD.

OP posts:
Mrsfrumble · 27/09/2021 15:13

I’m interested in this too. I’d assumed we were too far away from Mossbourne, but having looked more closely at their admissions we’re within the “outer zone” distance. Unfortunately I didn’t realise this until after the open evening!

Any experiences would be very welcome. DS has some SN; he’s academically capable and his behaviour is great (at school!) but inclusion and pastoral care are still very important for us.

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