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Secondary education

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Original poster

Only secondary school is bad - what lengths to avoid?

83 replies

Curlewwoohoo · 08/02/2026 14:50

What would you do if the only secondary school your child will definitely get into, sucks? I'm talking disruptive kids, unhappy teachers, ineffective management. Maybe my title was a poor choice as avoiding may not be an option and there might be other ideas to mitigate.

OP posts:
Itsmetheflamingo · 08/02/2026 15:54

Also look at any other schools that have spaces- a few good schools within 10 miles of here do, usually because they are religious in an area without many families. Scour the CC website to analyse past admissions data and talk to your primary school headteacher

Todayuneed · 08/02/2026 15:54

Todayuneed · 08/02/2026 15:51

I honestly would

In fact I did it of sorts

and zero regrets

Show quote history

Is decent secondary really that far away?

how far is primary child from moving to secondary?

and even if it was a longer commute to the primary - I would do it. Short term pain for long term gain

Itsmetheflamingo · 08/02/2026 15:52

I would sit all selective exams within 30
miles

i would sit all schools with sport/ music spaces (admittedly we were prepped well in advance to do this)

finally, move. Even though our options are good 7 people in my DC year 6 have moved purely for school catchment

Todayuneed · 08/02/2026 15:51

Curlewwoohoo · 08/02/2026 15:49

Do you think you really would, though, @Todayuneed ?

It would mean moving to a different town, away from friends and family, and taking younger sibling out of a great primary school.

I honestly would

In fact I did it of sorts

and zero regrets

Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep · 08/02/2026 15:51

If the secondary school child is moving school they will be making new friends and the same will happen if you want to younger child to go to the same school.

Original poster
Curlewwoohoo · 08/02/2026 15:49

Do you think you really would, though, @Todayuneed ?

It would mean moving to a different town, away from friends and family, and taking younger sibling out of a great primary school.

OP posts:
Todayuneed · 08/02/2026 15:47

I’d sell my soul

In reality… I would move or temporality rent a dirt cheap studio flat close to my preferred school and then do whatever I had to do to get that address to be used eg… move in to the studio for the period necessary!

TeenToTwenties · 08/02/2026 14:59

Put it last choice.
Put other ones you prefer higher up on the off-chance.

If other schools have criteria you could meet to get higher up then consider this. For example, would moving primary schools get you into a formally 'linked' primary school for a better secondary?

Do other schools have obscure or less obscure criteria such as 'aptitude' tests or church attendance criteria you could meet (depending on current year group).

Moving is expensive, disruptive and costs money, but could be an option.
Private tutoring as and when needed at secondary also costs money but could mitigate poor classrooms.