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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about usual chestnut with secondary school decisions

81 replies

Onthedowns · 06/10/2022 21:21

So we have a realistic choice between two schools. One is an established school historically great academically, recently in 2019 became an academy. School is split into two sites lower (years 7 and 8) and upper. Both old and facilties are there but not great it's an old school, used to be a girls Catholic boarding school - the nuns still live on site. The upper school is in need of refurbishment or rebuilding however they are on the government list for funding for this. (however appreciate current government means this might be delayed!,) This one is a 20mins bus ride away as we are out of catchment. Roughly £80 a term. I love it and my DD does too. Headteacher very welcoming, good structure, discipline. Kids all dressed smartly polite etc

Catchment school 10 min walk. Fantastic top class new facilties. Been an academy for 9 years. However up until earlier this year was in requires improvement. Now is a good school. Historically Academic results are not great,however this could be improving. Was always under subscribed and catchment now opened up. Hasn't the best reputation for discipline and disruptive children etc. Open evening was great but felt like head was selling a product not a school 🤷🏼‍♀️. Pupils friendly but felt a bit disorganised bit messy etc uniform wise. Didn't hate it didn't love it either. DD hasn't viewed yet. All years in one school and its absolutely huge! Mixed parent reviews

It would make my life easier to go here less costs better facilities. I don't have to worry about ferrying to and from local friends. After school clubs she can walk home.

How much of this makes a difference to parents ? DD is academic but loves sport too. I think she would be ok at local but worry she will just coast rather than be pushed to her best ?

It's giving me such stress deciding

OP posts:
Original poster
Onthedowns · 06/10/2022 21:24

Also out of catchment start GCSE options in year 9. And have 4 choices. Other school has 3 and usual year 10 start. Can see pros and cons with both

OP posts:
Sewwhatmrmagpie · 06/10/2022 21:32

Such a hard decision isn't it, we are at the "let's toss a coin!!" stage now in a similar situation.

I would take your DD to see the other school and see what she thinks, I reckon that will make the decision for you. I have found that where I've tried to choose based on results, facilities etc that's all gone out the window when my DD has looked round.

We have a realistic choice of 3 great schools. I knew which one was the right one from watching her reactions to them, and the right one for her is not the one I would have put first had I been choosing without her input.

Original poster
Onthedowns · 06/10/2022 21:54

Sewwhatmrmagpie · 06/10/2022 21:32

Such a hard decision isn't it, we are at the "let's toss a coin!!" stage now in a similar situation.

I would take your DD to see the other school and see what she thinks, I reckon that will make the decision for you. I have found that where I've tried to choose based on results, facilities etc that's all gone out the window when my DD has looked round.

We have a realistic choice of 3 great schools. I knew which one was the right one from watching her reactions to them, and the right one for her is not the one I would have put first had I been choosing without her input.

Very. We will be taking her next week. She already knows some children for the out of catchment as she plays sport with them. No doubt will be with lots of children from her primary got the catchment school.

I know which one I would like for her but it does involve a bus journey and money. 🤷🏼‍♀️. I they are like chalk and cheese schools so different

OP posts:
Original poster
Onthedowns · 06/10/2022 22:29

Sewwhatmrmagpie · 06/10/2022 21:32

Such a hard decision isn't it, we are at the "let's toss a coin!!" stage now in a similar situation.

I would take your DD to see the other school and see what she thinks, I reckon that will make the decision for you. I have found that where I've tried to choose based on results, facilities etc that's all gone out the window when my DD has looked round.

We have a realistic choice of 3 great schools. I knew which one was the right one from watching her reactions to them, and the right one for her is not the one I would have put first had I been choosing without her input.

Just doing lengthy reading about 3 year GCSEs as well now its a minefield

OP posts:
VestaTilley · 06/10/2022 22:39

I’d send her to the Catholic ex boarding one. Obviously take DD’s view too once she’s seen both, but if one has much better results and established, good quality teachers, then I’d go with that every time.

Original poster
Onthedowns · 06/10/2022 22:54

VestaTilley · 06/10/2022 22:39

I’d send her to the Catholic ex boarding one. Obviously take DD’s view too once she’s seen both, but if one has much better results and established, good quality teachers, then I’d go with that every time.

This is my personal preference on feel etc too. They do 3 year Gcse here so currently reading pros and cons. However could be going in any direction now it's an academy 🤷🏼‍♀️

The cons are the travel bus is at bottom of our road but only one bus home 😬. So i would have to pick up for after school clubs etc.

Another pro id ipad learning which is purchased by the parents.

OP posts:
Karamna · 07/10/2022 02:22

The first one, the ex boarding school with good discipline and results, 100%. Disruption in classes is a huge problem these days and it will make a huge difference to your DC's experience. Worth the extra travel time I would say.

Original poster
Onthedowns · 07/10/2022 05:23

Has it made a difference to anyone's child care regarding facilities ? The newer one has everything you could want !

OP posts:
Ragwort · 07/10/2022 05:35

First one sounds much better.

RedWingBoots · 07/10/2022 05:39

There is no point being in a school with good facilities if your classes are disrupted so the teacher can't actually teach you anything.

DragonMovie · 07/10/2022 05:46

I’d go for the catholic school. Only red flag is the starting gcse in y9. This is a big no no under current ofsted framework so would make me worry they weren’t particular to date with updates in the education sector, research, exam board changes etc. but none of that is as significant as good behaviour.

ignore the fact it’s become an academy. Most schools are now and it is more relevant to funding than anything else.

monkeyblonde · 07/10/2022 05:53

Most schools are now moving away from 3 year GCSE courses due to Ofsted requirements and also desire to keep curriculum broad for as long as possible. One to bear in mind as this could well change during your time at the school (if it hasn't already).

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 06:00

I'd ask for a walk round at school 1 and go with a list of pre-prepped questions. A good rating is... good. Scruffy uniform no problem, it would be foolish to factor that in.

Ask detailed questions about academic and behavioural issues.

What are the progress eight scores for each school?

If school 1 answered my questions well I'd pick that one.

Original poster
Onthedowns · 07/10/2022 06:35

DragonMovie · 07/10/2022 05:46

I’d go for the catholic school. Only red flag is the starting gcse in y9. This is a big no no under current ofsted framework so would make me worry they weren’t particular to date with updates in the education sector, research, exam board changes etc. but none of that is as significant as good behaviour.

ignore the fact it’s become an academy. Most schools are now and it is more relevant to funding than anything else.

I have been reading about this. I can see pros and cons to both. I don't think it will be moving away from the system . It appears to be a choice of many academy schools. They have 4 options here with recommendations of a languages and humanities

Unfortunately the facilities at school 1 are poor . Extremely outdated in some parts. There is a clear issue of lack of space, some pupils on the tour said there wasn't enough room at lunch time etc especially during poor weather. On open evening head stated wasn't immediate plans for refurbishment. Some parents stated poor communication from the school.bAcademic progress has been above national average for years, students are very disciplined, smart, relayed strict with uniform and behaviour. School has more c of e ethos too. Only two years in lower school so more friendly personable feel.

Whereas 2nd school tons of space, more facilities, academically below national average historically, pupils seem lovely but there is a slightly chaotic feel even on open evening. Head was just singing praises of facilities etc 🤷🏼‍♀️. Not much regarding academia. I can see positives for DD due to facilities but dont want her not to reach full potential ?

Equally will combined travel and lack of first class facilities hold her back on choices

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 07/10/2022 07:13

Uniform. The really neat one may be neat because they hand out detentions quickly and it might be stressful to be there.

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 07:16

What does 'academically below average' mean? What are the progress 8 scores?

The catholic school sounds a bit shit, to be honest. It has the advantage of selection on religious grounds so they should have higher marks - but what is the value added score?

Really strict with uniform does not mean a good school, it means a head with the wrong priorities!

PaperPalace · 07/10/2022 07:17

I don't think the 2/3 year GCSE thing is the most important issue - I know schools who do both and it doesn't seem to make that much difference. I would focus on the key issues of distance and facilities and the school ethos. Unfortunately (as obviously it would be more convenient to choose the second school) I think I'd go for the first. Low level classroom disruption is such a big thing.

PandaOrLion · 07/10/2022 07:21

Having worked in similar schools to both, I’d be going for the second one. My role was pastoral rather than teaching but students were by far happier in the second school. Parents happier with the first!

PaperPalace · 07/10/2022 07:22

It's hard though. The walking to school thing is a big advantage!

Smithstreet · 07/10/2022 07:30

I think I know where you mean. If it is a school starting with S. If it is be warned that being out of catchment if you get a place it may not be at the site you want but at the other campus in ST further north. They do all come back together at the senior site in S at year 9. This happened to a few people I know, delighted to get in but when they looked closer at the offer it was at the other site which was difficult for transport, friends clubs etc. None went. Apologies if this is the wrong school.

Original poster
Onthedowns · 07/10/2022 07:35

Smithstreet · 07/10/2022 07:30

I think I know where you mean. If it is a school starting with S. If it is be warned that being out of catchment if you get a place it may not be at the site you want but at the other campus in ST further north. They do all come back together at the senior site in S at year 9. This happened to a few people I know, delighted to get in but when they looked closer at the offer it was at the other site which was difficult for transport, friends clubs etc. None went. Apologies if this is the wrong school.

Hi yes it is that school.

Majority we know seem to get their campus. But the facilities bus ride etc worry me !

However discipline academia is better

OP posts:
MakkaPakkas · 07/10/2022 07:36

The second sounds like it could be the better one to me.
My question would be why was it in special measures? I'd discount it as a choice if it was for disruption in classes associated with gang related violence or if it was anything to do with drugs or safety of pupils (an issue in some schools near us). This is because the older pupils in the school will be socialised to that situation. If it was because of management etc. I'd seriously consider it.

Original poster
Onthedowns · 07/10/2022 07:38

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 07:16

What does 'academically below average' mean? What are the progress 8 scores?

The catholic school sounds a bit shit, to be honest. It has the advantage of selection on religious grounds so they should have higher marks - but what is the value added score?

Really strict with uniform does not mean a good school, it means a head with the wrong priorities!

It's not a Catholic school now the old site was. But it's still the old site !! Hence old facilities.
Last results attainment was 1st school 0.25 above average gcse. 2nd school. 0.4 below but 2019

Ebac Higher at seconds school

OP posts:
lannistunut · 07/10/2022 07:41

Onthedowns · 07/10/2022 07:38

It's not a Catholic school now the old site was. But it's still the old site !! Hence old facilities.
Last results attainment was 1st school 0.25 above average gcse. 2nd school. 0.4 below but 2019

Ebac Higher at seconds school

Show quote history

Sorry, misunderstood that - so they do not select on religious grounds?

You are really not being very clear about the comparative results.

Maireas · 07/10/2022 07:42

What matters to your daughter will be supported learning at home and cultural capital. You can always get a Maths/English tutor for GCSE if necessary.
What's her preference?