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Original poster

Unadequate school, outside catchment area

29 replies

Turefu · 28/01/2022 09:49

Hello!
We live in rural Yorkshire area. My son is in year 5 and the only secondary school is unadequate. I really don't want him to go there. There's grammar school 20 miles away, but it's outside catchment area. There's also catholic school in nearby (12 miles) city, very good one and very oversubscribed. I would consider moving, just can't do it right now for various reasons. Any advice? How to get into school outside catchement area?

OP posts:
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ChildOfFriday · 01/02/2022 12:34

@KaptainKaveman Some grammars accept children purely on the score they get in the exam (starting with the highest and working down until all places are filled, regardless of where they live) and some have a 'pass mark' and will offer places based on distance regardless of the score, as long as it is over the pass mark. Some have a policy between this where they have a set catchment area in which you need to get a certain score, and remaining places usually go to those who scored highest out of catchment. The admissions policy will vary by location and by individual school.

Hoppinggreen · 01/02/2022 09:29

@blyn72

INadquate, not 'unadequate'.
Oh the irony
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 01/02/2022 09:26

@KaptainKaveman Grammars often have (large) catchment areas. Otherwise they could offer places to children all over the country. Not the same as selecting solely on distance.

KaptainKaveman · 01/02/2022 09:17

@Turefu

Hi , thank you for replies. There’s grammar 20 miles away, but they accept based on location rather then performance . My son is clever enough to pass exam, will he get very top notch score? I don’t know. Local school’s rating was done in 2016. Previous one “required improvement “. I’ve got rental home nearly an hour away from my home. There’s another grammar four miles away. I guess I could move there. But probably I would need to live there at the time of 11plus exam and it’d be very difficult .
Ny definition that is not a grammar school then Confused. Can you clarify? if they accept on catchment why have an exam?
Original poster
Turefu · 31/01/2022 23:11

@CarrieBlue, thank you for letting me know about Boroughbridge Ofsted report, I didn’t know. It’s an option, DH works very close , could give young one a lift. We live where we live and transport is problem. But I’d figure out something.

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CarrieBlue · 31/01/2022 21:22

@Turefu - that’s what I suspected. It wouldn’t be my first choice. I’d have thought boroughbridge would have space, they’ve just had Ofsted, report due imminently. Problem would be getting there.

Original poster
Turefu · 31/01/2022 21:04

@CarrieBlue, I don’t want him to go to Easingwold. They weren’t good for years and I’m not sure about their improvements .

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CarrieBlue · 31/01/2022 19:13

Easingwold?

Original poster
Turefu · 31/01/2022 16:53

Hi Scarby9
Both Boroughbridge and Thirsk are 10 miles away. I considered both of them.
@Drywhitefruitycidergin, I spoke to some of them and they’re really divided. Some very happy, other took out their children and send them elsewhere , including Boroughbridge .
@SavoyCabbage, that’s how my DH is trying to reasoning me. But this school has been on bad Ofsted ranks for years and I’ve got only one child , just really want to do it right

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Scarby9 · 31/01/2022 15:40

@DailyWord
North Yorkshire has two patches of grammar schools working alongside the otherwise comprehensive system. Ripon Grammar operates an 11+ with the top 28% of in catchment children offered places then any remaining places offered to the top scoring out of catchment applicants.

OP - Thirsk Secondary is Ofsted Good (also 2017). How far is Boroughbridge from you? Also Good (2016).

SavoyCabbage · 31/01/2022 15:40

My dd goes to an inadequate secondary and its excellent. OFSTED is people jumping through hoops of fire.

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 31/01/2022 15:27

I don't know the area but in general.....
Have you been to see the school/spoken to any current parents of children there?
You might find that it is better than you think?

Original poster
Turefu · 31/01/2022 15:18

Anyone?

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Original poster
Turefu · 28/01/2022 22:28

Ripon Grammar

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DailyWord · 28/01/2022 22:13

You say he’s studying for the 11+, which grammar school are you looking at?

Original poster
Turefu · 28/01/2022 21:12

North Yorkshire , York/Thirsk area

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DailyWord · 28/01/2022 20:47

They’re aren’t many “real” grammars in Yorkshire. So I’m guessing the ones you are referring to are just normal secondary schools rather than being selective. And if that’s the case you don’t have much chance getting in them unless you live nearby

DailyWord · 28/01/2022 20:44

Where in Yorkshire are you? That would help us to advise

MrsBaublesDylan · 28/01/2022 19:07

My son ended up at our local 'Needs Improvement' school.

Like you, I was worried about him going there but we didn't have any choice.

My ds is yr 9 now and the school have just earned themselves a 'Good' Ofsted rating.

My son is really smart and academically is doing really well. He has also learnt how to stand up for himself and the confidence that comes with that.

No one is more shocked than me at how well the school has done and just how excellent they have been with my son.

Original poster
Turefu · 28/01/2022 18:59

Thank you for all replies. I can’t afford private. I’ll research more schools in the nearby (12 miles) city. I’ll keep on preparing son to his 11+

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LumosSolem · 28/01/2022 17:01

@blyn72

INadquate, not 'unadequate'.
There's always one, isn't there.
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/01/2022 17:01

You have 9 months until the application deadline (double check for 11+).

You can...

  • move
  • research schools further away that might have spaces
  • look closely at local school, not just historic gossip but actually what the school is like now. If Ofsted reports are inadequate in 2016, and no updates check the name hasn't changed.
  • go private
blyn72 · 28/01/2022 16:55

INadquate, not 'unadequate'.

Original poster
Turefu · 28/01/2022 16:52

Hi TeenPlusCat. Journey is 20miles, 45 minutes then and another 45minutes back.

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TeenPlusCat · 28/01/2022 15:41

Your DS won't start secondary until 2023.
That will be 7 years since the Ofsted. That is a long time for things to have improved, even allowing for Covid delaying things.

If he enters for the 11+ and passes then you could always have a punt at appealing for it. Though how long would the journey there and back be?