Waingels vs Piggott

[Voiceofreason92]

I know there have been a million threads about this, but i'm having such a dilemma.

School 1- Waingels. It's a 'good' school on paper but it doesnt have a great reputation, its ok- has a bit of a tough catchment. My son's entire school will go here. He'll know so many people. He can use the gym. It's ok. Kids do ok here. Is my catchment school. Son can walk there too.

school 2- Piggott- also good but closer to outstanding. Has an amazing reputation locally. But my son won't know a soul and can't walk there. It will be a faff. Son is quite bright.

Academically he'll do better at Piggott but he'll be much happier at Waingels.

What do I do.

Waingels.

Your DS won't necessarily do better at Piggott just because they have a more academic intake generally.

My sister's DCs go/went to Waingels and have done brilliantly in terms of academics, sporting opportunities and socially. Pastoral support has been good too. Middle DC has just finished Y11 with a collection of GCSEs all at grade 8 or 9.

Would he actually get in at Piggott? It's usually very oversubscribed even if in catchment. If you're in catchment it's considered walkable. If not in catchment (SEN, cared for or religious grounds take priority still I think) most cycle but there is a bus 850 goes every 20 mins along A4 & into Twyford, most get off at the centre and walk up with mates but some do stick with the bus to the school.

I wouldn't worry about not knowing anyone, as at both schools they always split the primary intakes up, so at most, whichever school they're at now, they'll be with perhaps 4-8 of their school/class in tutor group but there's a different splits again for some subjects, so they mix with others. Soon settles to finding new friends they didn't know before.

Also, don't overlook Bulmershe. A lot of people are negative about Bulmershe as it takes a wide range of children from a diverse background, however this opinion is usually from people whose children are not yet at secondary - those whose children DO go there always report how well their children are doing.

Worth reading feedback on the schools on local FB pages.

I know the most wonderful teacher at Piggott, someone I'd want teaching my kids. But I know nothing about the copse.

I know lots of people whose DC have thrived at Waingels.

I'd be amazed if you got into Piggott.

I was in the same situation as your son. DF agreed to send me to the school all my mates went to rather than the better (in all respects) school where I would have been the only one going there.

Altho' I sometimes wonder how my life would have changed if I'd gone to the "better" school, I'm sure I was happier where I went.

I used to work at Waingels unless their intake has changed dramatically in the last few years I wouldn't say they have a tough catchment.

Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone.
Decision has to be made by Thursday and every time i sot down to do the form, i can't decide what to do.

It is unlikely we'd get piggott but they are taking an extra 50 kids this year and it's a low birth year- at least it was when my son first started school- i'm sure those places have all filled out now

Which school does your son prefer?

If you both prefer Piggott put it down as your first choice, if you don't get in, it doesn't affect your chance of getting a place at Waingels.

In your position, I'd still look at Bulmershe too.

And I would go on what your son thinks of the schools - tell him to ignore the friends from primary situation as they WILL be split up he'll be only with a few from his class. Which school does he like the facilities of, the teacher sof (presume you did the open days)
Whatever you do, ensure you put your catchment school Waingels down as one of the choices.

@Mewthree as someone who used to work at Waingels, what's the behaviour like?
I know there's bad behaviour everywhere, but wondered how it's dealt with there. The head talks a good talk

Well, unbelievably, we got in to Piggott. Must have been a really low birth year. There are a handful of kids from his class going- rest are going to Waingels. Feeling very apprehensive now!