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Original poster

Choosing a secondary school

30 replies

UndertheCedartree · 03/07/2022 14:45

I'm just trying to get my head around how this works. We have a really good Grammar near us and a Catholic school. These are the school's I would like DD to go to. There's also a Comprehensive that might be ok but the open evening isn't until September. Then there are another couple of schools that I really don't like.

I'm not sure if DD will pass the 11+ as she's had Long Covid and missed lots of school as well as not being able to do 11+ club at school. So obviously if she doesn't the Grammar isn't an option.

I understand if you don't get your choice you can appeal. But if that doesn't work you can go on the waiting list in case a place comes up. I'd rather home-ed DD than send her to the schools that won't suit her. But what is the chance of you getting a place if you go on the waiting list?

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/07/2022 15:54

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 03/07/2022 15:14

Look at who got into each school the last couple of years. (What criteria, distance etc). This will give you a better indication of how likely you are to get in.

(FWIW... anyone who applied, and many that didn't, got the Catholic school around here. All the comps were over subscribed.)

Ok, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/07/2022 15:55

TeenDivided · 03/07/2022 15:28

'Banker' in terms of admissions is a school you would pretty much definitely get in to. So this is usually your local comp school, though not always. Some areas also have black holes with no guaranteed school.

Definitely check the criteria for the Catholic school as you may need to prove you meet faith criteria.

Even if you are OK to home ed, still accept whatever school you are offered whilst appealing, going on wait lists etc. You can always turn it down in the July/August before secondary starts.

Ok, thank you for the information.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/07/2022 16:07

SausageAndCash · 03/07/2022 15:29

OP - we can't give you the answers to details of admissions criteria because they can be different in different areas.

Some LAs operate actual 'catchments' - but not many.

Most schools base their criteria on specific categories (SEN / Looked after children / siblings, for example) followed by distance.

Some schools such as Catholic and Grammar may have areas within which the priority criteria are different e.g there are grammars which operate a 'pass rate' admission for children within the area, and a superselective admission criteria for children beyond that area, which means that admission is based on the highest scores.

In both cases it is quite likely that the priority area is irrelevant if you do not meet the threshold for Catholic observance of Grammar Pass.

It is all down to the detail, of the admissions policy, explained in the 'tie breaker' or over-subscription criteria.

So:


  1. Visit all schools that you are interested in and (just as importantly) your dd would have a chance of getting into based on criteria. Do not discount schools based on rumour etc, you can be surprised! A good / good enough comprehensive can do as well by their top st kids as a grammar school can. My kids went to S London comprehensives and have done very well indeed in academic success and progress to top courses / top Unis. And, shock horror, that was at a school where some kids were on the edge of gangs etc. But my kids had nothing to do with them at all.

  2. Do your research thoroughly. An overall low GCSE pass rate can hide a stunning performance by the top set who are supported to work to their best ability, irrespective of the overall average of the school. Likewise an fantastic overall average can hide under achievement by students who need more support and do not meet potential. The Progress Score arguably tells you more about the standard of education on offer than the GCSE average.

  3. The LA and / or the school will show the number of places awarded under each admissions category last year, and the last distance (if relevant) that places were offered to.

  4. Put the schools down on your form in the exact order that you would prefer. It is OK to include a hoped for wild card at the top, but as your lower preferences you really should include at least one school that your dd would get a place in based on the admissions criteria. If you do not do this, you could well end up being allocated an even worse school further away.

  5. Accept whatever place you are offered. This in no way disadvantages you getting a waiting list place. But ensures you at least have a place should you change your mind about HE a secondary age child.

  6. You can at that point go on waiting lists for other schools that would suit you, as well as schools that were higher on your list. There is typically a good lot of movement a few weeks after the place acceptance date. Lists move throughout the summer, and even into the first couple of weeks of term.

  7. You can only appeal places that you applied to and didn't get. The basis of successful appeal is pretty tight - lots of info and experience on the Secondary Education Board.

  8. There is lots you can do to help your dd get the knack of VR and NVR tests in the 11+ . There are practice books available.

  9. Hang out on the Secondary Schools board on MN as the application process gets going - lots of advice and support.

Thank you yes, I will look very carefully at the admission criteria.

We have visited all the schools with an open mind. Thank you for all that great advice.

Our grammar school test doesn't actually include NVR or VR. It is more the fact she needs to know the Maths on the paper that is not taught in Y5 and generally her Maths is weaker. She also needs more practice on being faster at answering the questions. She did a Mock test at school and didn't complete the 'Applied Reasoning' questions at the back of the booklet as she didn't think they were part of the test as they seemed like 'puzzles' to her! So she clearly needs a bit more familiarisation of the paper. She is on the mend now so I'm hoping that we can catch her up over the summer.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Secondary education
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/07/2022 16:07

TeenDivided · 03/07/2022 15:34

You can accept a place on March 1st, and then withdraw on August 31st. It gives you 6 months for more thinking. You'd feel pretty upset if your circumstances changed in that 6 months and you could no longer Home Ed but you had no school.

I see, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 03/07/2022 16:09

TeenDivided · 03/07/2022 15:43

If you accept a school you hate you can:


  • go on waiting lists for schools you prefer

  • appeal for schools you prefer

  • (go private)

  • Home Ed

  • go to the school you hate whilst waiting for other places

Ok, thank you, that's really useful. Unfortunately, private is not an option.

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