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What to focus on when choosing a secondary school?

26 replies

lexlees · 20/10/2015 12:13

I am feeling very befuddled.

My ds did an entrance exam to a selective school. It has excellent results. When I did the tour of the school I did not have any 'warm and fuzzy' feeling. I thought the teachers were tired with their lot in life. Something felt stuffy or just 'off'. Ofsted is outstanding.

I then did a school tour of the local high school which on paper has very average results (though improving year on year) but I had all the warm and fuzzies and thought ds would be happy there. The teachers were animated and were able to answer my questions. Ofsted is good.

Both schools look similar (ugly 70s!) with similar facilities. So it was nothing to do with the buildings. I think my ds will enjoy any school and will make the best of anything.

Wanting to do the best for ds - what do I focus on - my warm and fuzzies or send him to a school which is considered 'the best'? What if I make the wrong decision?!!

I am staring at the form and do not know which school to put in which order!!!!

Any advice would be appreciated

OP posts:
BabyGanoush · 13/11/2015 21:26

Investigate a bit more.

I had the same choice as you! I chose the friendly happy school.

They are "famous" for pastoral care and approachable staff, good communication abd friendly atmosphere.

DS in yr8 has really come out of his shell and likes it there.

It's not perfect, nowhere is, but I think it was the right choice.

Combine your intuition with research, talk to parents, talk to the HT etc. Good management makes or breaks a school.

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