Islington secondaries

This is my first post and not sure who reads this but I could really relate to your post as I have a year 6 boy who I d rather have gone to a mixed school so put SMMA first but he did not score highly enough on their test. He s going to CFBS and I think we are really lucky -( we could afford private for him but not our daughter and wanted parity) . If your son or anyone else is going and you felt meeting my son pre September would be useful let me know as only one other boy from his class got in .

Hi, Is it possible to find out more about the SEN department at SMMA? I am currently looking for a school for my son(year 7) urgently. He has ADHD and learning difficulties. Is support for students with SEN well organized? What can you say about SENCO? I would be very grateful for the answer?

Yes they have a good selection of after school clubs, and children are really encouraged to join them. It is a relatively small school, so may not have as many as a much bigger school like SMMA, but there are enough clubs for the number of pupils.

Thanks. We tend to prefer coed but I hear similar great feedback on HF... are extracurriculars good as well? Best of luck!

My friends’ daughter is at Highbury Grove. She’s very musical and bright, and is doing very well - lots of extra-curricular activities and clubs. I think she’s one of those children who would do well anywhere, but she is certainly thriving.

I can't comment on SMMA, but we have been very happy with Highbury fields. The school has high behavioural expectations, and the rules reflect this, but I do not find it overly strict. I would describe it as 'firm but fair'.

My child couldn't cope in an environment with poor behaviour, and really appreciates the good behaviour and clear expectations at Highbury fields. Personally, I also believe good behaviour is key to foster a good learning environment.

I have a girl and put SMMA first but I am now alarmed by boys' behaviour. I put Highbury Fields second, would it be a best fit? It looked very strict..

Thank you @HonorHiding for your comments.

I'm genuinely stuck between CFSB and SMMA. Son is quite sensitive and quirky (confirmed autism diagnosis), in a small primary school where he's thriving. He got a good mix of girl and boy friends, possibly more girls than boys.

CFSB looks really well organised and supportive, great academics and and with good SEN support - we've visited twice. They have a lot of female teachers, and I had a sneaky chat with a dinner lady who I asked about the boys' attitude - the female catering staff have no problems.

I think my problem is that I work with quite a few men who went to single-sex public schools and can display some very odd attitudes to women!

If CFSB was mixed sex it would be top of my list - I just wonder whether I'd be doing my son a disservice by sending him to a boys' school - but @noraclavicle has raised concerns about the treatment of girls at SMMA.

So difficult!

To add to this thread now, in case anyone is looking for up to date experiences: my daughter has recently started in Highbury Fields school and it is excellent. I have been really impressed.

The school really cares about the pupils and has high expectations of them academically. Behaviour is excellent too, which is really important for me personally.

My daughter has really enjoyed her time there so far, and has a good friendship group. The school also go the extra mile organising special activities for the children too, for example a sleepover night with pizza at the school.

@WildishBambino you don’t risk anything by placing a school in second place, if it’s genuinely your second choice. It just means that if he qualifies for both SMMA and CFSB he’ll be offered SMMA (your first choice), and if he qualifies for CFSB and not SMMA then he’ll be offered CFSB (your second choice).

Put them in your genuine order of preference - that’s all that is needed.

I'd really welcome advice on this as I have a Yr6 son looking at Islington secondary schools. We really liked CFSBs, but I'd prefer him to go to a mixed-sex school and SMMA is the nicest mixed school we've seen. He did the entrance test for SMMA and got a result in the 140s on the governors test (they apparently rank 1-200 for governors test results to indicate the child may have a chance of getting in, then everyone else gets '200 or below'). We're in the far south of the borough /City fringe so certainly won't get into SMMA on catchment area.

No idea whether to put SMMA first on our list, accepting that he's at the lower end of the group who may obtain a place, or put CFSB first as it's our nearest secondary. I'd be more than happy with Central Foundation and don't want to risk a potential offer by putting it as second choice as SMMA only just edges it into second place.

I'm not from London, and came from a small town where everyone just went to the local secondary school, so I'm finding the London application system quite daunting.

Not publicly, as we want to go through due process (after, frankly, screaming into a void). But I would not advise sending your DD there.

That's interesting - can you elaborate? We are considering this for DD.

another vote for CFBS!

As an ex-SMMA parent, the serious concerns we as parents had regarding some boys’ behaviour towards girls there do not appear to have been addressed. Each academic year seems to have the same issues and we have just heard once again of problems arising. They really need to take this more seriously.

I wouldn’t think if it by borough. I would think if it as schools closest to you and that could be other boroughs depending on your location. Options are definitely far more limited if you want a mixed school. All girls seem to be the most popular as well as SMMA.

My DD is in year 8 at Highbury Fields & so far I can’t fault it. The uniform rules are irritating, but not as bad as most. The mental health care & SEN provision has been excellent & throughout lockdown it was apparent that they really care about the girls in the school. EGA was our first choice but I so far we’re very happy as is DD.
Parliament Hill is another excellent school but is increasingly difficult to get into out of borough.

Hornsey school for girls in Crouch End is getting more and more popular among parents in my DC’s primary. It’s in Haringey but definitely accepts girls from Islington.

From close second hand experience (DC of friends and neighbours), EGA and Central Foundation both perfectly fine. SMMA as well although of course very small catchment if applying under the Open criteria.

Central Foundation is in the Borough of Islington!

Other options include the City of London Academy Shoreditch Park (Hackney borough) and Henrietta Barnet. EGA is popular.

Just remembered that I have local Catholic friends who send their sons to the Oratory. They say it is worth the journey!

*confined to the borough