Secondary schools in Enfield

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering which schools did you go for? Where did you get a place? Thank you.

My child will attend Southgate secondary school, I have heard so many negative opinions about the school. Should I be concerned? Can anyone help with more details about the school?

Laurel Park School is in New Southgate near Broomfield Park. As a small school we are able to ensure that every student in our school get the support they need. Have a read of our latest Ofsted report to find out what they thought, and Ofsted Parent View to see what our current parents think.

We always recommend visiting a school for yourself and seeing if it is right for your child.

@Pammi2 Laurel Park is what was formerly Broomfield.

If you are in Enfield please consider Laurel Park School for your child. I am a parent at the school, and Deputy Head - so I can honestly say the school is good enough for my own child.

Ofsted visited us in November 2024 and rated us Good in all areas.

Looking at all the comments on here if you are looking for a small school (136 per year group) that is nurturing, encourages academic excellence, with exemplary SEN support and prioritising each child as an individual, I really would recommend that you come and visit us.

We host monthly Coffee Mornings with our Headteacher where you can go into lessons, see learning in action and speak to our students.

Find out more about us here: www.laurelparkschool.co.uk or ask me your questions

I know that this is an old post however we have spaces in several year groups and it is not to late to change your choices for September 2025.

Isn't St Anne's a Catholic school?

Latymer- best in Enfield. Lots of parents I know, tell me their kids love it.

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I think of your choices I'd go with Southgate OP 👍👍

Interesting feedback @Pammi2 - sounds like you've been really thorough! Glad you've found a few options you like.

Interesting about Chace and Highlands. Chace is local to us and until recently is one that many people wouldn't touch with a barge pole (behaviour issues, poor results etc) - but recently I keep hearing similar reports to yours, that they're now on the up. They're due to be fully rebuilt soon too I think.

Conversely Highlands I do think is coasting a bit - someone close to me was at a schools' meeting with their Chair of Governors recently and he was very (a bit too!) frank about admitting there's no way they'd get Outstanding if they were inspected now (moot point though anyway as Ofsted's done away with single word judgements). Again, I've heard similar feedback to yours from people who have visited/have kids there currently.

Southgate sounds promising! Good luck with it all.

@StolenChanel and @TempsPerdu thank you so much, this is really great to hear about DAO and I will also look into Alexandra Park School too.

I do have a call scheduled with the Head of Learning Support at DAO so will see how that goes.. 😊

@Zael2807 I've heard similar about DAO - I wouldn't discount it on the basis that it's academic. A friend's son started there last year - not SEND but he needs some additional support due to SEMH issues. They can't fault the school so far, and said that it was a really gentle induction into Year 7 compared to some other local schools, which are much more 'sink or swim'.

@Zael2807 from what I’ve heard, DAO are quite good for SEN. If it’s not too far from you, I’ve heard the same about Alexandra Park in Haringey.

Oldest's long time friend recently left Ashmole to go to 6th form elsewhere, she didn't enjoy her time there.

I'd say probably Chace community for special needs

Thanks StolenChanel, I did think about it but thought that it may be too pushy academically? He needs a nurturing school but one that also has mostly kind children and supporting teachers.
To be honest with you, we could even choose Dame Alice Owen as its still a state comprehensive (although part selective) but I'm not looking for a strong academic school as I believe (my opinion) that they may not be strong in providing the right SEN support but instead more focused on grades.

It's giving me anxiety trying to find the right school for him where he will be happy and not bullied.

@Zael2807 have you looked at Ashmole?

Hi LennyBalls, which one of these schools would you recommend for a child with additional needs? My son has an EHCP so we can choose without the worry of catchment. He currently attends one of the primary schools closest to Highlands and most of his friends will be going there which will be good for transitioning. However I have heard so many mixed reviews about this school.

I'm looking for a school with a great behaviour policy, kind children and fantastic SEN support.

It also lost its outstanding rating recently I believe

I would say Bishops is a no. Friends who have worked there both a few years back and recently have said the same thing about poor management and lack of behaviour policy. Pupils I know from there love the school purely because it’s socially “fun”, which is great for them and I’m sure will give them memories for years, but reflects what teachers have told me about the behaviour (or lack thereof).

Absolute bollocks!

Dd1 and her friends go there and are perfectly normal kids. They're a really nice bunch, and as @TempsPerdu said, great sport, art, drama and music provision alongside academics.

Homework has now ramped up in Yr 10 but before that she got less than my other daughter who goes to a local comp.