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Secondary education

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Original poster

Where should we move for good state secondary education?

35 replies

Peewee233 · 19/05/2024 22:06

This feels like an impossible task right now because the choices seem endless!

We currently live in the North West- there are two good grammars but woeful comps in the area. We’ve decided to move for various reasons but the quality of education here being one reason. The primary school education has not been great, our kids are bright but we feel like they’ve been let down. The lack of investment in the north is definitely evident here and a big contrast to where we lived near Oxford.

Due to recent events we are now quite flexible with where we move to. We’re looking to move to a town/village near a town with access to a number of good/excellent state secondary schools.

We’ve considered a move to the midlands/gloucestershire/Shropshire/Leicestershire, loads of places really.

Can anyone recommend somewhere that is lovely to live but also strategic for secondary schools?

OP posts:
pancakestastelikecrepe · 19/05/2024 22:42

@Peewee233 yes, times have changed re Grammar - I'd turned down places for both my Ds based on this...

sunlightdancing · 19/05/2024 22:39

It Is hard to narrow it down when the area you’re considering is so vast.

Maybe just start with something like the Sunday Times best schools list, and work through them one by one to see which ones might be feasible?

We moved partly “for better schools” and I have regrets. I think I got a little bit swept away in the madness of league tables, ofsted, exam results. Now I’ve been a parent for longer I feel I have a more nuanced view of it all and I look back on our old area and see that whilst it didn’t have perfect schools on paper, it still had an awful lot to going for it.

My DH on the other hand is still really glad we moved and thinks the DCs have much better opportunities here so it may just be me!

Original poster
Peewee233 · 19/05/2024 22:31

@pancakestastelikecrepe I went to one of the local Grammars here and it was excellent. I was shocked when we moved back to find a factory- type system of intense coaching for the 11+. Hundreds of kids are put in huge halls for hours on end every week throughout year 5. I agree, it’s ended up with one of the grammars being no better than the struggling comp in the area because the kids can’t handle the work once they get there.

When I went hardly anyone was tutored to get in and if it was the same now I’d consider putting mine forward for the 11+ but I’d prefer to save them the stress and find somewhere that has a decent comp instead.

OP posts:
clary · 19/05/2024 22:31

tbh I would suggest a direct correlation between grammars and less good non-grammars! I am from an area that is still heavily grammar-focused and if you went to the sec mod, tough bananas.

So really you want a non-grammar area with good comps. If you narrow it down a bit that might help? But may I pitch in with two suggestions:

*Littleover (in Derby) in catchment of Littleover C S.
*West Bridgford (Notts) in catchment of West Bridgford School

There must be many more tho

pancakestastelikecrepe · 19/05/2024 22:24

In addition, OP, don't make the mistake of coaching your DC within an inch of their lives to pass the 11+. The Grammars around here are littered with kids whose parents are determined they attend a selective school, then can't cope with the wider curriculum...
If it's any consolation, bright kids do well in the state system (I teach A Level)

Cottagepiefortea · 19/05/2024 22:23

Finland

qwertyasdfgzxcv · 19/05/2024 22:18

I don't think there is an easy answer to this sadly.

whiteboardking · 19/05/2024 22:17

I'd just decide where you fancy living then deal with schools later. Even the northwest is vast in terms of good schools

TaggySits · 19/05/2024 22:16

Northern Ireland.

pancakestastelikecrepe · 19/05/2024 22:13

Lincolnshire has loads of grammars - there are 4 within a 20 mile radius of me. However, you may need to calm down a tad...