Are there any good state secondary schools that are not over-subscribed?

[liv99]

Can anyone recommend a good state secondary school, anywhere in the UK but preferably north, Lake District, Peak District, rural etc. which is not over-subscribed, does not reqire 11+ pass and simply admits all children from its catchment area? We are moving back to UK after 6 years in Canada and are looking for a school for our dd, aged 9. We are flexible as to location. Would greatly appreciate any advice. League tables leave me befuddled!

Thank you very much.

What do you mean by "good".

I am sure there are some OFSTED "good" schools that are not oversubscribed - but perhaps fewer "good" schools which you might be looking for.

I believe a lot of the Lake District comprehensives are pretty good (Keswick, Cockermouth etc) - though have not done extensive research! You just want to be somewhere where there isn't a lot of unevennness and everyone is happy to go to their local school - that way you'll be fine whatever.

League tables are not very easy to decode and Ofsted reports reach a new level in bland and incomprehensible.

Ofsted Gradings are apparently

1. Outstanding,
2. Good
3. Satisfactory
4. Inadequate

Having looked around a few schools and read a few Ofsted reports, I am now convinced that the gradings are tremendously broad and in no way match what a reasonable person might expect from a school.

So decode, thus

1. Outstanding = just about acceptable but don't look at the extracurricular activities

1. Good = not very good

1. Satisfactory = profoundly unsatisfactory

1. Inadequate = prepare to spend your twilight years prison-visiting

I don't have many suggestions for schools - that's a huge area you are covering. A lot of good schools are oversubscribedthough and I hope you find what you are looking for.

you need to move to a rural area, to a town with only enough teenagers for one school. (product of Scottish version of the above).

Of course there are lots - that is, not oversubscribed by catchment area families.

We are in Derby and our local school is well rated, kids do well in exams, seems busy and active and lots going on, children I know there are very keen.

Everyone in catchment gets in and plenty who aren't. That's true of the nearest outstanding school as well FWIW.

No grammars here thank goodness. Not rural tho.

quattro, according to your decoding of Oftsed, no school is actually any good.

Now I am no apologist for Ofsted but surely that is nonsense?

Quattro, YABVU!

When I read your OP, I assumed that you would be looking for a child who was already of secondary school age. Given that you are looking for a younger child, and you are not tied to one geographical area, then the world is your oyster!

Simply find the secondary school that you like, then buy/rent accomodation within its catchment area. There are good comprehensives out there, but they will have a catchment area, which may change each year according to the number of applications. Catchment areas for small primary schools can be tiny, perhaps only a few streets. For most secondary schools you will be looking at distances greater than 1km, probably much greater than that in the area you are referring to. (I live in London, so obviously population density is much higher, and catchment areas will be smaller).

If you do this, then you will probably get the secondary school of your choice. You may not get the primary school of your dreams, but this is because primary classes are generally do not go over 30, so if the nearest school is full, then it is full. However, for 1-2 years a little bit of travelling will not hurt, and you may be lucky.

I am assuming that your dd would be in Y5 if in the UK (born between 1/9/99 and 31/8/00). If this is the case, then you would need to be in your new address by Oct 2010 to apply for secondary school. Generally state schools require proof of address with applications, and the fact that someone will definitely be moving into the area at a later date will not impress admissions staff (unless you go private, then they will not care where you live so long as you pay the fees).

Cumbria council has a really good section on secondary school admissions. It tells you which schools are oversubscribed, how many children appeal, whether they were successful etc. There are some selective schools in cumbria, but there are also some good comprehensives. Also check out the dfes school league tables site. Look for schools getting more than 60% GCSEs incl maths and English. The grammar schools and private schools will be significantly higher, but for a comprehensive over 60% is good - They do not approach that figure in my area of London, unless they are faith schools.

Well that's a load of crap quattro

OP it depends on your definition of 'good'. And on what you want for your child.

lol Quattro- I disagree with you but think your alternative ratings are v v v funny.

quattro - i liked your ratings. sadly my dc's school is satisfactory, but may mean i am not prison visiting in later years!

Quattro! The new Xenia!

Thanks to everyone for replying, especially Madsometimes for pointing me towards Cumbria council information, and giving me some guideline figures. I can't find similar information for Derbyshire, so just on the off chance would anyone happen to know whether Lady Manners school in Bakewell is over-subscribed? Thanks again.

Nonsense quattro I teach in a school which has judy been rated outstanding and we are a fanstastic school with lots of extra curricular activities

Don't happen to know about Lady Manners Liv, but I am sure if you live in the catchment area you will be fine.

Honestly. It's a big fat myth (IME) that it's mysteriously "impossible" to get your child into this or that school. If you live in catchment you will get in to any school in Derby, and I find it hard to believe the same is not true for wider county. Lady Manners is the only secondary in Bakewell (isn't it?), so if that's where you live where else would you go?

Don't panic, please.