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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
DisneyMillie · 28/04/2022 21:08

Personally I’ve not heard good things about Hewitt. Hethersett is meant to be very good. Wymondham college always had a good reputation.

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 21:12

@Greywhippet what do you feel isn’t suited to your children with inspiration trust?

OP posts:
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 21:13

@DisneyMillie thank you, I haven’t heard of those two schools. I will check them out.

OP posts:
vipersnest1 · 28/04/2022 21:14

If you want to go for WC, you have a much better chance paying as a day boarder - it's highly unlikely you will get a day place from out of catchment unless your DC excels in sport or music.
I assume hope you have already discounted CAN?

Marjoriesdoor · 28/04/2022 21:15

In terms of opinion from existing parents, could you post on the local community Facebook groups? I have seen parents moving into a new area do that before.
Yes, Hethersett is good but out of catchment so would depend on spaces. Wymondham College is fantastic but nowhere near Norwich city centre and always massively oversubscribed for day places and I am guessing the OP wouldn’t be interested in boarding.

Sleepyquest · 28/04/2022 21:16

I've heard good things about Hethersett. Costessey, Wymondham and Thorpe St Andrew.

I hated CNS as a student!

Neverthecornflakegirl · 28/04/2022 21:17

God no, not Hethersett (really bad local press about being v militaristic about pointless small rules) and definitely not Wymondham High. My DC has had a horrendous time at Wymondham High. No places at Wymondham College for my year 9 when I asked about 3 months ago.

Marjoriesdoor · 28/04/2022 21:23

Day boarder spaces at WC still comes down to proximity and usual admissions criteria, so you have to secure a day place as normal and then you can choose to opt for day boarder status then. It’s not a separate application process as such. They also don’t offer the sports scholarship now and haven’t for at least a couple of years. They do still offer the music scholarship for gifted musicians looking to enter Y7 or 6th Form. Lots of misconceptions locally about their admissions process but the info is on their website.

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 21:29

I cannot afford boarding. DC is good and enjoys sport but not at the level she would need to be to get a placement, love her but definitely no musical talent either.

im not on Facebook but I could start an account and post on there if that would be a good place to get advice from.

OP posts:
vipersnest1 · 28/04/2022 21:29

@Marjoriesdoor, I stand corrected - it's been a while since my DC went there. Smile

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 21:30

Does anyone know anything about Sprowston academy?

OP posts:
Greywhippet · 28/04/2022 21:35

Mainly for the DC it would be the rote learning, which my youngest especially would not get on with. For me, it would be mistrust of the whole operation on ideological grounds: gaming Ofsted, etc. I just personally don’t think they play fair.

Greywhippet · 28/04/2022 21:35

Sorry that was a reply to Tangledzebra!

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 21:40

@Greywhippet thank you for explaining.

OP posts:
DrMauraIsles · 28/04/2022 22:08

I have children at Sprowston. We have recently moved to Norwich too. They like the school, it has good facilities. I like the Head, can't say it hasn't been a bit of getting used to, no Parent pay!!

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 28/04/2022 22:09

Notre Dame is also an outstanding school and right in the centre of Norwich.

JAC is in a building not really suited for a school, with little outdoor space.

CNS is an excellent school with a wide curriculum and really good teaching, lots of forward-thinking teachers interested in developing their own thinking for the benefit of tueir students.

Hewitt is very small these days, dropping in numbers which is one of the reasons the inspiration trust took it over. It is improving.

Yes, the IT is quite rigid in some ways and has some strict routines, also a philosophy based on knowledge, which can translate into rote learning and lines for homework. But schools that do well often attract excellent teachers and my DC, who is at a IT school, has a strong rapport with her teachers, most of whom are both excellent and caring. The curriculum is stuffed with arts, which is unusual for a school with high academic achievement these days, sadly. I'd expect JAC and Hewett to continue to improve, as they haven't been in the trust that long, really.

In NR3, Sprowston would be a contender. I don't know much about it, I'm afraid. It does have some staff who have worked at CNS, which you might be interested in.

Those living in their catchment who don't go to Hethersett often choose wymondham high instead, though I have heard that it isn't as consistently good as it has been in the recent past.

As others have said, you won't get a place at wymondham college unless you pay for a boarder place, unless you live close.

I'd have a look at Notre Dame if you haven't already.

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 22:10

Thank you @DrMauraIsles where did you move from? What years are your DC? How did you find the schools admissions process? Was it in year?

OP posts:
tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 22:15

@TheBitchOfTheVicar that was really useful thank you. I did look at Notre but it’s a catholic school, which isn’t in line with my beliefs but it does look an excellent school.

OP posts:
sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 28/04/2022 22:44

I went to CNS, both DC are there now and I think it's pretty good! It is always oversubscribed though, and there were a lot of children in DD's year at junior school who didn't get a place even though they lived in NR2.

Pastoral support at CNS has been absolutely excellent IME. They even phoned me once to let me know that DD was noticably BO whiffy after PE & perhaps I ought to have a little chat with her before the other students noticed Smile DS has had great support for his mental health too, I really have appreciated how much they treat the kids as individuals. DM me if you want to chat (and welcome to Norwich!)

DrMauraIsles · 28/04/2022 22:56

We moved from Surrey. Due to covid we were delayed moving so they did move in year which really concerned me, Admissions was easy, looked round with Head of Year. They had shadowing for 2 weeks with a child from their tutor group to help them find classes and get lunch etc

jewishmum · 28/04/2022 22:58

tangledzebra · 28/04/2022 22:15

@TheBitchOfTheVicar that was really useful thank you. I did look at Notre but it’s a catholic school, which isn’t in line with my beliefs but it does look an excellent school.

I went to Notre Dame. The teachers were excellent and comparable to private schools in terms of the quality of education. Don't be put off by the Catholic thing, and I say that as a Jew.

Christienne · 28/04/2022 22:58

One thing to be aware of with Sprowston (that’s our closest and we elected for JAC) is that it’s huge - 1600 pupils, and set to get bigger.

tangledzebra · 29/04/2022 07:56

@jewishmum thank you, I thought you had to be catholic to attend as it asks for evidence of baptism. Perhaps I read it wrong. I’ll double check.

@DrMauraIsles thank you, I will see if I can view it and just put it on my list and hope a space is available when it comes to it

@sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea thank you for the welcome. Norwich seems really lovely so I’m hopeful that it’s a lovely fresh start for us. Pastoral care is so important and exactly what I’m looking for.

OP posts:
bikerqueen · 29/04/2022 08:26

Norwich is lovely. Welcome :)

I have a kid in secondary in Norwich. I’ve also worked in a couple of Norwich schools. Problem is - every school has its issues, and it’s good bits. You genuinely won’t know until you look round which fits your girl. I know people who have kids at nearly every school in the city and I could tell you horror stories about every one- and as many excellent stories as there are bad.

I'm not trying to not be helpful! I would honestly focus on getting a lovely home and work the rest out from there. Thorpe and CNS you’re unlikely to get in except after a long wait. Notre Dame has been over subscribed with catholics for the last 3 years so chances of getting in without being one is very small- also there is a lot of Catholicism involved. Not a problem if that’s your bag but without that background your daughter might feel a bit weird.

can you get up some time before applying?

DrMauraIsles · 29/04/2022 08:34

Tangledzebra feel free to pm me if you want. I know how anxious a time it is xx