Choosing a local secondary school

[DarkBlueEyes]

Hello all. I'm new to Mumsnet, and have joined as I was hoping to get some advice and information on choosing a secondary school for my year 5 daughter. I have found a massive thread on Education, but this seems to be more on a policy basis rather than a discussion on the pros and cons of individual schools. Can someone point me in the right direction? I can't imagine this hasn't been covered to death.... but if not, please feel free to post any top tips or views and news on local (private and state) schools here. Thanks in advance.

Keep going down and you should find the thread RPA v Christ...RPA being Richmond Park Academy. Good luck

Whereabouts in the Borough do you live? if you are looking for a state school place there isn't usually much choice unless you are Catholic or live near Waldegrave.

Darkblueeyes, you can use the Advanced Search feature to find comments on individual schools. Put quotes around the school name in the search field if it's a phrase, e.g. "Orleans Park". You might want to limit the search by date though as things evolve quickly.

However, as LProsser said, if you don't find the comparisons you're looking for, it's because people don't tend to have a choice. And also because most of the schools are very good or improving, and people are supportive of them. However, if schools start going rapidly uphill or downhill, or have a change in leadership, or a specific issue, it sometimes generates some chat.

The policy stuff on the Chat thread gives background context - the school landscape has changed a lot in the last few years. People are generally good at answering questions too, if you're after information on something specific.