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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Woodford county high school for girls

8 replies

Fedduup32 · 15/08/2021 02:24

Can’t sleep so been reading reviews of a school I would love to put my DD in. She’s very young right now but I’ve been looking at moving to an area where I thought had nicer schools than the area I live in now. There’s a grammar school that I thought was the best school around.

I’m really shocked reading the reviews. I know you shouldn’t believe everything you read but the same themes run through all the reviews I.e. poor teaching, extreme pressure on kids, lack of resources. I really thought this school was something to aim towards. Yes realistically my daughter might not get in as entrance tests are difficult but I’m panicking now as I thought grammar schools were supposed to be good.

Any advice on anyone who knows about this school? Or surrounding areas?

OP posts:
PoodleJ · 15/08/2021 12:10

I think that the main problem is the use of the word ‘best’. What is best for one might not be best for others. Taking an entrance exam just means that they only take the more academically able meaning that it’s far easier to get good grades from them.
I would not place my kids in a school with an entrance exam as it’s not fair for those whose parents don’t have the money for tutoring which is often used to get some students up to a good enough standard.
If your kid is a well behaved kid they will find others like them in any school and do well. Don’t assume that there are poor teachers in other schools that don’t have amazing grades from their students. It’s a lot more complex than that.
Personally I would go around some open evenings of your local schools before you believe the Ofsted reports. You might save yourself a lot of effort as you might not need to move!

ilovetomatoes · 15/08/2021 12:39

I think one of the problems is that many of the secondary schools in the area aren’t great and if you can’t afford some of the excellent private schools but have a bright child you’re a bit stuck. so there is a lot of competition for places at the grammar and once you’re in that pressure just continues.

itsalldope · 15/08/2021 12:42

@ilovetomatoes

I think one of the problems is that many of the secondary schools in the area aren’t great and if you can’t afford some of the excellent private schools but have a bright child you’re a bit stuck. so there is a lot of competition for places at the grammar and once you’re in that pressure just continues.
That's just not correct though. The schools in that area are fine.
Original poster
Fedduup32 · 15/08/2021 13:21

I haven’t moved to that area yet as I said I was looking to move because of that school but reading reviews it’s obvious it’s not a good school.

Where I currently live the schools are awful with lots of behaviour issues and crimes. The only decent school is out of our catchment area abs very overly subscribed. If we stay here her local school is awful and she will not be happy there. That’s why I was considering moving to an area where I thought had good schools for behaviour which it definitely looks like they do but other problems bu reading the reviews and talking to other parents.

OP posts:
itsalldope · 15/08/2021 13:35

Walthamstow School for Girls is an outstanding school that's not a grammar, so if you live close enough then your daughter would get in. At least then you don't need to worry about the 11+

Creamegg18 · 30/12/2021 19:46

Just came across this post. My DD goes to this school and she and I are very happy with Woodford. Don’t be put off by the negative Google reviews, looks like some may have been written by some disgruntled students.

My DD, as are her friends are really happy with the school. School is strict in terms of discipline, ie if you forget homework etc but in my opinion, if you have a child who is organised, self motivated and has inspirations to do well, then she’ll do well at this school. It’s a grammar school after all.

Whichcatthatcat · 30/12/2021 19:55

This thread makes me sad. I didn't realise there were bad reviews. I went to that school and have nothing but fond memories. But I left in 1990 so not really relevant to your question. Sorry for not being more helpful, but thanks for reviving good memories for me.

Lozza70 · 30/12/2021 20:01

The majority of schools in the area are good. Is there a specific reason you are looking for grammar, single sex? A lot of the comps have additional stretch for high performing kids if that is what you are after and you get a school population more representative of the community you live in.

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