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Original poster

Below average secondary school - what lengths would you go to in order to do better for your kids?

58 replies

Curlewwoohoo · 28/12/2023 17:59

What would you do if the local state secondary was below average? And there are no other local choices as its the only secondary school in our market town. By below average I mean, the school has a poor reputation with local parents, Ofsted requires improvement, now being taken over by a big academy, lots of teachers leaving, fairly big school with some bullying reported.

Would you think below average is OK for average kids who will (I hope) work hard and have supportive parents?

Would you hope it picks up?

Would you move house? How far would you go to make that happen, eg significantly impact finances? Work more hours? Move away from friends and family?

Would you try to get child into grammar, even if that would mean tutors etc? And might not be likely.

Would you go private (not really an option for us financially)?

Would you try to go out of 'catchment'? Involving long bus ride or drive?

Would you accept the school and put effort into activities and support outside of school?

Eldest is 9 and in yr4 so got a year to think about this, potentially dyslexic, very hard working at school and good attitude there but won't do much at home. Youngest is 6, several years ahead in reading but slightly behind on writing and maths. If that info would influence your decision!

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 28/12/2023 20:08

I would not push for grammer option if my dc was not naturally academic. I would not want them to struggle. Could you give them extra support at home?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 28/12/2023 19:57

I wouldn’t put my eggs in the grammar school basket but probably see how commutable 5 other school options are.

bowtop · 28/12/2023 19:54

We moved for a secondary school but my eldest was year 3 and I kept them in their old primary which was outstanding. But I was a sahm so able to drive them every day to primary and able to collect them if they were ill.

In your case the academy take over might be the making of it. I would think the important part for your child is the SEN support. I would work on attitude to doing homework and just widening interest in anything and everything. Youtube is incredible for information on all sorts, history, science, geography.

I would go down the personal tutor route for tailored tuition. If you are looking at grammar would they be able to keep up in the grammar school? What options are open realistically for moving into the catchment of a good school? I wouldn't rule it out but I would at least look.

Having had 2 children go through GCSE I think parental support and input is important, resources are available at your fingertips but you need a foundation from school to build on.

OnlyTheBravest · 28/12/2023 19:18

Depends on the child. If your child is good at adapting to change and can learn despite distractions then they will be fine. If not, I would use any means possible to get a school more suitable for the child.

Hellocatshome · 28/12/2023 18:18

Getting a Requires Improvement and having a big academy take over can be the best thing that happens to a school. We didn't send DS1 to our local school because it was requires improvement, 3 years later DS2 had to go there as we had no other options and the school has just gone straight from Requires Improvement to Good and honestlybhas been 100% better than the Good school we sent DS1 to.

GHSP · 28/12/2023 18:14

I would do everything I could to get my dc the best possible education, and to learn in a disciplined way environment. Which includes looking at private schools, moving to a better catchment and tutoring for 11+. But I know I’m a pushy parent. I’m not sorry for this - the fact my dc have GCSE certificates full of 9s means they have more choices in life.

justanotherdaduser · 28/12/2023 18:11

We would most probably try all the options you mention, but exclude any that 'significantly impact finances'

I would probably go for what seems to be the easiest option (for me) to hardest - so will have tutor(s) for DC, grammar school if possible.

If grammar opton does not work out, will try to go out of catchment as long as the bus/car ride is within 45 mins or so.

If none of the above works, will pay for extras outside school - additional tutoring etc.

Potterinthegarden · 28/12/2023 18:08

On the plus side, when a school is in that situation, it gets lots of resources thrown at it and there is only one direction of travel (i.e. it can only improve). If your child is in Year 4 there is time for a definite improvement.
I would look at all options, and do a pros and cons list etc. Travel needs to be carefully considered, as I think the longer length of day is a big negative to me (and frankly it ain't cool for your parent to bring you to secondary school!).
If there were no option but this school, I would look at doing what I personally call "state plus" - paying for outside of school enhancements, possibly a tutor, or other learning opportunities.

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