Tring school versus Misbourne?

[Fluffbun7]

Hi there! I am hoping to find some insider views on the above two schools one in Bucks and one in Herts. DD will be attempting the 11+ but as that is by no means a sure thing I wanted to get some background on these schools so we know which would be the best option for her if she doesn't get a Grammar school place. We are not in catchment for either school but don't want her to go to the catchment school as (currently anyhow) it is not doing well. I was leaning towards Tring school but saw a comment on this thread saying it was not good. Any views on these two school and also on Aylesbury High? I feel if DD does get into AH she will be in middle sets at best so that may not be great for her self esteem. She is creative musical and leans towards the arts/literacy not so much maths and sciences... Thanks!

I wouldn't touch Misbourne - we had a nightmare with DD but to be fair they do have a new head now but I still don't hear great things. I know a few of DDs and DSs friends at Tring who have done really well.

Thanks bucksmum! It seems that most of the uppers in Bucks yoyo in terms of how well they do - being rather too optimistic maybe our local upper will be on an up cycle by the time my DD is due to start! I am keen on Tring because it is comprehensive so all ability levels. Ethically as well as for social and self esteem reasons I do prefer the comprehensive system (I went to a good comp and managed to do well) and I think that environment is the one that will suit my DD best. Just concerned that they have almost 100% over subscription according to their admissions stats and although we are quite near geographically we are OOC. A friend from our village managed to get her son in but they lobbied using 'social' reasons (he was being bullied at junior and bullies were going to the local upper). Need to look at their admissions criteria again tho I think we will be bottom of the priority list . After struggling to get daughter to do a tiny amount of maths HW last night I am thinking that GS is a more and more distant prospect... How I wish we didn't have this skewed system to battle with!

PS if you have time, can you say what specific issues you had at Misbourne and whether you think these are being resolved with new HT? It does seem to be "improving" tho stats are still not overwhelming and not much above the local upper (John Colet) in terms of results.

Misbourne, holmer green and Ramsey all bounce between needing help and being the best out of the three. I've worked at both hg and the Mis and both have their merits!

Thanks Fluffy! I think HG and Ramsay are further afield for us (need to check map...) but it sounds like they are all much of a muchness! I am attracted to the Art and Design specialism at Misbourne as DD is keen on (and talented in) these areas. The web page dedicated to this subject on their website makes impressive reading but I wonder what this translates to in reality . I guess many of these questions could be resolved by a visit when the time comes. I have just been feeling quite despondent about the poor choices for non grammar school and hoping that there might be some encouraging news out there!

I went to Aylesbury High (albeit 20 years ago!) and at the time it had brilliant art and music facilities - and I would think that they are the same or better now. Definitely worth looking into - but it is quite tough academically. In my day (I feel ancient!) they only streamed for maths, and only from Year 10 upwards, but that may be different now.

Have heard good things about Tring but rather lukewarm things about the Misbourne.

Thank you Eyore etc . I do think AH sounds like a great school for the right kind of pupil, just not 100% convinced it is right for my DD assuming she even managed to get in! She is a bit of a dreamer and for now anyhow requires a lot of cajoling and chivvying to do her homework so not sure she has the work ethic to get along OK there. I have discovered St Clement Danes in Chorleywood which sounds utterly amazing on paper. Our only chance there would be if she got in on musical aptitude as we are nowhere near catchment. She does seem to be talented musically but it is very early days to say how much... Might start a new thread on St C D...