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Secondary education

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Original poster

St Mary Magdalene Academy (London, Islington)

28 replies

Fogwisp · 13/10/2023 13:08

I know the school's been mentioned here before, just wanted some recent views.

Firstly, how many children do the governors' test? And how much movement is there? Just got a letter today and DC did ok but not near the top 21. We decided not to tell DC until March as we're focusing on praise for coping with all these school tests so well, rather than results.

1);I'm very brain foggy and finding the waiting list system confusing: is there a governor's place list and a separate waiting list, or just one waiting list? How likely is the governor's place list to reach no.100? (DC' result is in the top 100, but not far in.)

  1. I haven't actually made it to an open day due to work commitments, so: please tell me what the school's like just in case, particularly in terms of suitability for a quiet child, how much parent involvement, how strict, how happy are the teachers (rarely asked, that!), how's the school on bullying?

  2. How does it work in the application form, as we don't live nearby and won't be putting it first: would we still be offered a place if by chance the governors' list did move that far, even if we put the school low on our choices?

Sorry a lot of questions, anyone who can answer just one that would be great!

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 13/10/2023 14:56

You will be offered a place at the school highest on your list that can offer you a place on offer day; if one of your higher choices offers you a place, you will be offered that and no other - so if this would be your first choice, put it first. You won't get to choose between multiple offers.

Original poster
Fogwisp · 13/10/2023 14:45

Jaffajiffy · 13/10/2023 14:10

I'd like to know as well 😀. We also got our letter today. A friend says offers go to 100+ but I reckon this year will be lower because of the risk of VAT fees on private and also the school's recent Outstanding Oftsted.

Ah, hadn't thought of those potential factors!
Do you know how many sit the test? I heard it's getting more popular.

OP posts:
Jaffajiffy · 13/10/2023 14:10

I'd like to know as well 😀. We also got our letter today. A friend says offers go to 100+ but I reckon this year will be lower because of the risk of VAT fees on private and also the school's recent Outstanding Oftsted.