Fortismere last distance offered

It's reputation has been really really patchy recently, so I was expecting it to be bad but not that bad. I don't think it's the strictness either tbh, yes strict schools are in fashion atm but there's schools like Parliament Hill that are incredibly popular atm and are very similar to Fortismere in terms of ethos etc.
This is unfortunately what happens when people base their choices off of rumour and opinion, which in those circles is the case. But it can destroy a great school.

Judging by the parents’ chat at DC’s primary school, it’s because everyone wants APS these days.

Schools go in and out of fashion. I suspect it’s because APS is outstanding and Fortismere isn’t. APS doesn’t get as good results as Fortismere though, and I’ve heard APS is very strict.

There’s always a fashionable school that everyone talks up in N London!

Both. F very narrowly avoided a RI judgement a couple of years back due to safeguarding fails. But catchment areas are expanding everywhere.

falling birth rates in Haringey is the main reason for expanding catchment and its a (very) large school, the houses with over £1.5m price tag are simply unaffordable for young families and many fo those who can afford it go private, so its not surprising. its still a solid choice for "middle class type" North London families along with APS. Fortismere* * is of course a large school which often leads to a rich mix of opinions from parents on social media and local FB groups.
There is also Archer and it has more socially diverse intake but the catchment system there is a bit odd and a handful of places that are allocated for N2 can be quickly filled in by kids from the nearest high rise estate blocks and flats, so its N2 catchment is tiny!

I know parents who were happy/unhappy with all three above.

I get the impression it's less popular than it was- but also so many families are leaving the area I suspect there are just less kids in MH than there used to be.