Secondary school managed move, Bromley

[CathyDee73]

Dear Mumsnet,
I'm in the process of trying to sort a managed move for my son in Yr 9.
I have been advised that Bishops Justus CofE can accommodate.
I know nothing about this school and wondered if anyone could offer some information/advice?
TIA!

A friend’s sons went there and thrived, She wanted them to attend for religious reasons but it isn’t ‘in your face’ religion as I understand it. I think at the time her sons attended (last left a year ago) there were teaching staff issues but that is true same for many comprehensives. Girls often go to other higher rated schools like Darrick or Bullers or the grammars, that may explain why there are significantly more boys at the school than girls???

I have heard quieter children might find it daunting as it is a bustling school. They also have kids coming some distance. The number of GCSEs sat is quite low compared to many other schools (but similar to Coopers), typically 7 or 8 at Bishop Justus but that might suit some children, but limit others.

Good luck with the move and hope someone with more first hand experience comes along.

That's very helpful, thank you.
Will also look at Bullers Wood Boys and Ravenswood so I can make the best judgement.
Thanks again

Name change as I work in Education locally.

I would suggest you do look at the other local schools, possibly Ravensbourne too.

The behaviour of students at BJ is an issue, there is an issue with bullying and I am aware of numerous children who have moved away from the school for that reason. I appreciate that there will be bullying in all schools, it is how the school deals with it that is an issue. I think the previous poster's use of the work 'bustling' is definitely education speak!

Last term, Bromley jobs website had over 10 teaching posts advertised for BJ.

It is the only local school that staff from our department dread going to.

As pp said, as it is a faith school, CofE primarys throughout the borough are feeder schools. This means many of the pupils have travelled from as far away as Downham. This means friends are often not local. Also, if you look at the leaver's destinations from local primary schools, BJ seldom features. Last year, not a single one of the Year 6s from one of the local primarys went there.

Bromley secondary schools are notoriously oversubscribed so I would ask yourself why BJ has spaces.

Extremely helpful, thank you very much for taking the time.

My son did well at Coopers in Chislehurst. He went on to University from there and now has a well-paid job x

JHJ52

What are YOU doing about your ds' behaviour? A managed move is an alternative to being on the road to permanent exclusion. There will have been many warnings that he was on this road. You can also bet that the school have spent more time on your ds than many other students in the school. Some of the kids in our school in similar positions have had many hours of support, changes to their timetable etc etc. Their parents are only interested when they realise that the move or exclusion affects them.

You can also guarantee that he has had a massive impact on his peers' education.

@JHJ52 it may be worth starting a fresh thread to get specific feedback on your situation.

Sorry to hear this @JHJ52 but you might want to start your own thread. In Bromley there are hardly any schools that you can't get to by public transport, it may mean a couple of buses but nearly all are accessible, even if a bit awkward, unless there are disability issues which make it more complex.

Y10 isn't a great time to move either, as you point out it may impact his GCSEs, so do look at how they can map the current GCSEs to the new school for your DS.

You do need to look at the causes of the behavioural issues as otherwise they will just follow him to the next school.

Do try and stay positive yourself as it you start talking about how awkward it is then your son may use this as an excuse not to follow-through with attending.

If he isn't coping in a traditional school then looking at a technical college that may suit him better? This isn't my area of expertise but I had a friend whose DD really didn't suit traditional education and a technical college (they take from Y9 up I think) worked really well for her.

Good luck