new secondary school- would you?

[thegrumpallo]

Deadline for application fast approaching and we are torn between an underperforming but established state school, and a relatively new (academy) school, not yet had GCSE results and not in its permanent building so therefore on a very small site - quite well set up, but still.
Both schools very local, so equal chance of getting in if we apply.
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How much would you factor in what each school head is like?

How do you know it's underperforming?

I think a decent head teacher can turn a school around. Our local primary school was ofsted ‘requires improvement), as a result they put a new head in and she’s turned the school around to be ‘good’ within a couple of years.

Have you visited both schools, try and get a tour during school times, rather than just the open days, get a feel for each place. Depending on your child’s needs the school may end up being an obvious choice .

i'd try and find out about the head teaches and base my choice on that. as theblue says, they make a big difference. sounds like peer pressure will be the same at either school as they have same catchments?

Thanks for replies. We have visited both schools.
The state school has consistently had worse GCSE outcomes over the last 5 yrs at least, than other local comparable schools.
But the head is new ( this will be their 3rd academic year) and really impressive.
Catchments are the same-ish, but it probably makes a difference that the new school has a much smaller intake ( sorry should've mentioned).