Wymondham schools

[takethatlady]

This is a totally bonkers question as I am only 21+3 with my first baby, but DH and I are seriously thinking about moving to Attleborough from Cambridge and, because of our mortgage situation, this will be a very long-term move - at least 10 years, I'd say, and probably longer in the same house. So we're trying to consider all the long-term implications of so the move, and secondary schools is one of them! (Okay, okay, I'm mad).

My question is, I know that Wymondham College is absolutely brilliant and that it's halfway between Attleborough and Wymondham. Its criteria are apparently musical/sporting ability (well, we can try), brothers/sisters already in the school, and proximity of your home to the school. So, let's just say the baby turns out to be a straight A-grade concert pianist (ha ha!) - do children from Attleborough get to go to the schools in Wymondham or do they just automatically go to Attleborough High?

Obviously this is doubly nuts, since the baby (a little girl :)) may equally well be an illiterate urchin without a musical or sporting bone in her body - but I'm just thinking through all the variables :)

I've heard that Wymondham High is pretty good too, so the same question applies - where do the catchment areas lie?

Any replies greatly appreciated!

Threetimes - we are on the 'W/O' development. Fimbo - I have just the one, dd is 3.5. I can't drive so use public transport or bike, although am considering learning in near future. Because of transport I like having a shop nearby to get essentials, and there is no better local shop for where I live presently than Waitrose. I feel spoiled!

I know where you are, I have another friend who lives in a bungalow on the street leading up to yours. Do you have social housing on your estate? We do and I know its snobby and horrid to be nasty but some of them are and do cause problems. We had car arson on ours last week.

takethat - you are a leetle mad for thinking about high schools already, but as you are wanting to be forwarned - atm all places at Wymondham college are taken up by boarders and then siblings. Last year for eg every spare place went to a sibling.

There are about 2 or 3 scholarships a year.

In terms of 6th form entry (v long way away!) the same applies, but those who apply from schools with no 6th form also get priority, and then it goes on predicted GCSE grades.

So, for eg DS has just been offered a 6th form place at Wymondham College despite not having a sibling there or wanting to board, as the school he is coming from has no 6th form and he has been predicited excellent GCSE grades.

OTOH - he was turned down by Wymondham High as he had already accepted a place at another 6th form. Lots of competition!
(We live about 8 miles from Wym)

Ooh thanks for that Merrylegs didn't realise about being higher priority if no 6th form at your own school.

That's OK, Fimbo. The things you find out... have been to a LOT of high schools recently. Was most impressed by Wymondham High actually. But they didn't want my A child. The bst*rds.

merrylegs I know. Mad. Let's just say I like to plan. And then I never follow through on the plan.

That's very interesting to know about Wymondham College ... and about Wymondham High.

I think we're deciding now to let the house decide - i.e. we'll look at lots of places around that sort of area and pick the house we like best, and worry about schools later (I know, I know, some of you have been gently telling me to do this anyway ).

Seen a lovely one in Great Ellingham though not sure if the estate agent's suggestion for a 3rd bedroom really works. Shouldn't keep looking at houses anyway, as this is also premature - we don't even know if we can sell ours yet!

You ladies are amazingly helpful :)

PS - yes, their loss!!!

aha! threetimes... hello!!

i am rather biased about WHS too, but chickened out and changed my name on another thread. you can borrow it from me some time, if you like!

Just marking my place on this thread as we are also thinking of moving to Wymondham.

Sorry to hear about Norfolkbumpkin's experiences making friends as I'll be in that same position and it is something I'll be nervous about.

When are you thinking of moving, OP?

It depends ... still the bank are being weird about the mortgage (they've released all the details of it to the press but not told their own staff, apparently, so I'm playing a waiting game until the bank manager finds out enough to help ...)

If we get the green light from the bank then we would need to put our house on the market, and we could move any time from now until December (preferably).

If not we'll be renting our house out and renting there, so then we'll be going in the school summer holidays :)

How about you?

Hope you get your mortgage sorted soon. Sounds like the bank are being a bit unprofessional, really.

We are not sure about our timescales either. DH is talking to his work about moving but until we get that sorted we won't know for sure. DS1 is six and at school, so ideally we'd like to move either this summer holidays or latest next summer (because DS2 starts school in autumn '12 and we don't want to disturb more schooling than necessary).

We have identified a primary school that has a place for them at least, but we don't know which are the best schools and we still have the same thoughts as you about secondary schools.

Finding the right house is harder, so we'll probably rent first too. That said, we're looking at a couple of places when we're up there next, and if we fall in love with the property, we might just have to accelerate the whole move!

If it makes you feel better, Merrylegs, there were about 450 applications for 200 places for sixth form... no, doesn't help?

Fimbo - sixth forms have their own admissions policies in the same way that high schools do - these are decided by governors. Obviously, I can't speak for other schools, but I know Wym High changed theirs last year to (I think): 1st priority - special consideration/SEN; 2nd - WHS students; 3rd: Other yr11s whose own schools don't have a sixth form; 4th: everyone else.

Takethatlady - don't think any of the History dept. are planning on leaving - I'll let you know if that changes (or I figure a plan to oust one )

Fimbo - our house is next to the social housing area, so yes it does come with a certain amount of 'baggage' that the nice lady in the sales office never alluded to in her spiel! So going back to schools, the nearest one to us is where virtually all of the children go from the estate. I am assunimg that to have an outstanding rating the school is doing wonders with the children attending, regardless of their upbringing.

I live in wreningham village that feeds into Wymondham High, the village also has a primary school(4-11 yrs) that is a catchment primary.

this year a couple of children from bracon ash (which is on the edge of Mulbarton and the catchemnet school is Hethersett) have got places at wymondham high. If you attend a catchment primary you are high up the pecking list than being out of catchment alone. if they have more children in this critera apply than spaces left available then they award places to those children who live nearer (as the crow flies).

I wouldn't think either great ellingham or attleborough would get you a place at Wymondham high, especially as they are still building in Wymondham.

Wymondham is only 5 mins further on the A11 and in my opinion (i have lived in Wymondham and now and a village for 15 yrs) is a much nicer town to live in and has alot less trouble regarding the children. The High school is very good and the current head is the old head of Wymondham College (she seems determined to make it as good as the college)

Spooner Row is a nice village to consider as it is bang in the middle between wymondham and Attleborough and has its own junction off the A11 (the same one as Wymondham College) and its own Train Station and great Primary school (4-11 yrs) this is a catchment primary and area for Wymondham High and has also the village has had much success getting children into Wymondham College due to its proximity. (Also has a fantastic pub!! and pre school)

Another high school to consider is Old Buckenham (you'd get a place if you live in Spooner Row) it is much smaller than wymondhams 1500 pupils at only 600. Allthough the results don't seem as good as Wym High it does depend on your child as this school suits some children alot better being smaller and friendlier.

Wymondham College is also changing its critera for entry from 2012, so after awarding places to siblings the remaining places are going to be awarded on a lottery basis so proximity to the college is not going to be relevant. This is all presuming you are after a day place (boarding places are not a difficult to get, you just have to be able to afford the £9k it costs per year, eek)

I hope this has been of some help.

Hi

Can i ask where you heard about the change for admission policy for day students? Cant see anything on their website and admissions didnt mention it when i called them. We are looking at moving close to the college so impt for us.

thanks

I have a child at Wymondham High and I would not recommend it to other people. There is a lot of bullying and casual violence. Staff seem to be unwilling or unable to do anything about it and less confident children sink. Administration is chaos, mixing up children with similar names and sending letters out to the wrong parent. Some staff are lovely, but many are not at all helpful. Great if your child falls into the "Gifted and Talented" group, but the vast majority, that are not trouble makers and try hard are overlooked.

Just thought I would ad to this post although it is old, the admission criteria for Wymondham College did not change to the lottery system in the end, I think there was too much opposition.
ML

eek, awful reading, we were thinking Wymondham might be good place to move to :(.

Don't take notice of the one negative comment, lljkk. I have insider knowledge of the high school and know many people whose children are at the primaries. Feel free to pm me.

Thank you, I will!! :)

Feel free not to take any notice but remember this message when you are wiping blood from your child or wondering why they have got detention on a day they at home sick. When their equipment is smashed or stolen and they get the blame. When your child can't get a locker because there are not enough but the newly rebuilt front gates look lovely. When there are almost 1700 children outside moving from building to building and there are no members of staff supervising them, and when a fight breaks out right beside the building it can take 15 minutes for any member of staff to notice or they are told to "Go away, I'm busy" when they go to Student Services to ask for help.

I assume you've moved your child from this school then, WymM?

I thought I'd update & mention... I phoned Norfolk LEA & asked about getting 4 DC into Wymondham schools if we moved to Wymondham next summer. They laughed in my face.

No they didn't, but they would have done if they were being bluntly honest. They said there was a chance my KS2 child would get a school place within Wymondham ,but the KS1 child would have to go elsewhere. My KS3 children would also be diverted, to Attleborough or Hethersett. We'd be looking at a £100k mortgage to move into Wymondham which won't leave much ££ spare for other stuff. Because there's transport cost to the high schools if out of town (would LEA pay, I didn't ask? Costs ? £400/yr per child, otherwise).

LEA woman talked about appeals, but laid on the guilt how it was unfair if I forced a 31st or 32nd child into KS1 classes. It's unusual where we live now for any class DC are in to have > 27 pupils.

She couldn't have done better at hanging out a "WYMONDHAM IS CLOSED" sign if she tried!

We are looking to move elsewhere.

Wymondham college is still a state school. Therefore to apply for a day space for yr 7, you apply to the county council. The criteria is the same as any other state school, looked after children, those with a statement, siblings and then it goes on vicinity to the college. Hope that helps