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Secondary education

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Choosing a school - if you could go back in time..

28 replies

moderationincludingmoderation · 28/09/2023 13:53

If you now have children who have been to secondary school, or At secondary:
If you could go back in time to when you were applying/choosing - what advice would you give to yourselves?

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 28/09/2023 14:01

Currently choosing fir DD2... we chose for DD1 during Covid protocols, so it was all online. DD1s class parents were a lot more relaxed about the process than DD2s class parents as they can go and see more schools and get the hard sell.

DD1s friends and parents are all extremely happy with the local school. We didn't see it beforehand unless there was an older sibling, nothing to compare it too... but they are all getting good lessons and are happy and safe.

So yes... relax.

sunshineandshowers40 · 28/09/2023 14:00

Be realistic. How likely are your DC to get into the school (check the admission criteria).

Don't just look at ofsted and results (are results improving?)

How will they get to school? If they can walk to school life is so much easier.

Listen to what DC want (doesn't mean you have to agree).

If a school says they have no bullying they are lying (in my opinion!).

Trust your instincts.

Spinet · 28/09/2023 13:54

Calm down a bit. A school is a school. Don't get caught up in other parents' panic or opinions, trust in what YOU think is important about a school.