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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Norwich secondary schools

56 replies

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 07:51

Hi all,

Posting here for traffic as I posted on mums net local board for Norwich but it’s quite quiet there.

I am looking to move to Norwich with my child who is in year 9. Does anyone have any recommendations for secondary schools? I have looked online and at ofsted but they don’t always capture the essence of a school so it would be good to gauge peoples opinions/real life experiences. I will be planning on visiting the schools as well.

i cannot afford private, I am non religious and would like a mixed state comprehensive. I am looking to move to NR2, NR3 postcode.

many thanks 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 13:35

Shameless bump

OP posts:
Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 18:50

Bump for the evening crowd.

sorry for all the bumping, I know this topic isn’t very exciting or AIBU but the current school my child is at has been horrific for their mental health and I feel really guilty about that so I want to do as much research as possible.

many thanks

OP posts:
ejecoms · 28/04/2022 18:52

I think CNS has a reasonable reputation, though I have heard kids sink or swim. Hewitt Academy has good reputation and I think has good facilities.

Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 19:16

Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Cyderdelic · 28/04/2022 19:56

Mine are at CNS and I think its great. Have heard awful things from various different people about how bad Hewitt and Jane Austen are.

jewishmum · 28/04/2022 19:58

There was definitely a teacher who had an affair with a student in his classroom cupboard as I know the girl. Hewett.

Marjoriesdoor · 28/04/2022 20:01

The Hewett has had a very colourful history, was quite surprised to read the comment about it having a good reputation locally.

www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/hewett-academy-norwich-ofsted-report-first-inspiration-trust-1206012

Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 20:03

Oh dear…… @jewishmum

@Cyderdelic when you say bad things re: Jane Austen and Hewitt - what do you mean? My original choice was CNS but they don’t appear to have space, although the admissions said that spaces do come up.

on Norwich school finder they were showing as having a few places but it was last updated in Jan and they have apparently filled all the spaces.

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Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 20:04

@Marjoriesdoor I saw that article and lots of things online and I can’t make my mind up about it. I can see there has been a lot of change but 🤷‍♀️

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Marjoriesdoor · 28/04/2022 20:05

What about Thorpe St Andrew school? Has an outstanding rating and I can’t say I have ever heard anything bad about it locally although I don’t have personal experience of the school. Definitely worth a look.

Marjoriesdoor · 28/04/2022 20:08

Best thing is to visit the schools and also try and seek out opinions from existing students and parents if you can.

RoyKent · 28/04/2022 20:09

JAC is very tatty and they teach in a very structured way. Heard great things about CNS.

Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 20:13

@Marjoriesdoor it looks good there but seems quite far away, not sure if we would be in the catchment area. I’ll call them tomorrow. Thank you

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Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 20:15

@Marjoriesdoor I’m trying to arrange visits but I’m not from the area so I don’t know any parents or children that attend and I don’t know how to create that opportunity esp in a secondary school when parents don’t really collect their children from schools.

i do keep seeing bad things about JAC but unfortunately that is the only place that has spaces. This is so difficult

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Christienne · 28/04/2022 20:30

DS goes to JAC (and we had our pick - literally - of schools).

I don't recognise any of the comments here other than it teaches in a very structured way. That much is true.

Thorpe, CNS are indeed well regarded.

Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 20:31

@Christienne thank you, what do you mean by it teaches in a structured way?

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Christienne · 28/04/2022 20:33

Couple of examples - they have an extended school day (optional) to include homework sessions.

They do a lot of rote learning. Works for my DS, not for everyone.

Christienne · 28/04/2022 20:37

Oh - and it's a city centre 'campus' with (very) little outdoor space.

They have different break times for different years and travel to Hewett for some PE lessons

The staff is young which has advantages and disadvantages. They were great during lockdown, moving very quickly to full lessons via Zoom and Google classrooms

I've been happy with them.

Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 20:53

@Christienne ahh ok, I am not so much worried about the learning side as my DD is quite academic and I feel would manage in a range of different learning environments. It’s more about the feel of the school, she doesn’t really have many (any) friends at her current school but is very sociable and has had a really bad couple of years and it’s been hard for her to come back from that at her current school.

she wants a fresh start and a new opportunity to make friends in an environment that is caring and friendly.

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TheElephantAndBun · 28/04/2022 21:01

CNS is good and I think has a realistic attitude towards uniform - they now have an official school hoodie. Can email the teachers with questions and have always had a response.

TheElephantAndBun · 28/04/2022 21:02

CNS had some lovely old buildings, a HUGE field and a newish theatre space. My DC is in year 9 and enjoying it.

TheElephantAndBun · 28/04/2022 21:05

I've also found their response to pastoral issues (with my older DC) to be swift and supportive. There are clubs for the quieter types as well as sportier activities too .

TheElephantAndBun · 28/04/2022 21:07

@jewishmum which teacher?!

Original poster
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 21:07

@TheElephantAndBun CNS is/was my first choice for the reasons you have given but they don’t have any places, which is such a shame.

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Greywhippet · 28/04/2022 21:07

JAC and Hewett are Inspiration Trust schools- for that reason I wouldn’t fancy them for my DC. Their takeover of Hewett was particularly resisted at the time by the local community and steamrollered in anyway. Caused resentment.