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Original poster

SECONDARY SCHOOLS - HELP

49 replies

RadfordAJ · 22/09/2015 12:01

As I'm sure everyone who is looking at Secondary Schools is, I'm totally confused as all the Head Talks are so convincing and obviously they only let their most well behaved children take the tours.

So I'm after opinions of current parents on the following:
Harris Beckenham
Kingsdale
Harris Crystal Palace
Bonus Pastor
Thank you

OP posts:

LocalEditorBromley · 10/12/2015 00:16

Hi Vanilla Latte - Harris Beckenham have let me know that you are very welcome to call Mrs Sue Miles, Central Administration Manager on 0208 662 6602. She will be happy to have a chat with you about your query. All the best.

PettsWoodMum · 10/12/2015 06:43

Yes the new free school wasn't on the form, it is application direct to the school and you could in effect get an offer via your SCAF and an offer direct from one of the free schools (Bullers boys being the other one). Great news local editor that this is still an option.

YogaPants2441 · 15/12/2015 13:39

Didn't sit the test. The deadline was over for Beckenham Academy any way so it is too late to apply.

PettsWoodMum · 18/12/2015 21:36

But the free school didn't have a test. Maybe not too late to apply for that? It is based at TRS for the first year at least. Also on the subject of band in tests - I know some who didn't sit the banding test for Coopers for example but got offered the school in the past.

Rufflepuff · 05/01/2016 00:05

Definitely, definitely go for Ravenswood over Coopers or a Harris or Ravensbourne.

YogaPants2441 · 05/01/2016 15:43

Just received a letter that Bullers' wood for Boys won't open in 2016. Veri disappointing. Now dilemma between Coopers and Ravenswood ...

hornetgirl · 25/01/2016 20:03

yes it was very disappointing, we are hanging our hopes on the new Beckenham Academy. Fingers crossed, not too long to wait now.

Patry · 30/01/2016 18:56

I know quite a few kids in Ravens Wood and it sounds like a fantastic school

Saying that I think Coopers has made huge progress sonif they carry on in the same line it may be good too

YogaPants2441 · 07/02/2016 19:59

Thanks.
Coopers was first and Ravenswood second choice. Will be one of both, will find out by the end of the month ...

YogaPants2441 · 01/03/2016 14:56

Waiting impatiently for an email and logging on and on ... and wondering if I made the right choice ...

YogaPants2441 · 01/03/2016 15:00

Rufflepuff, why is Ravens wood to be chosen over Coopers? Sorry, just asking - I have heard only positive feed back about Coopers. Also my gut tells me that my son would prefer a co-ed school ...

What kind of schools are they - I know that Coopers is a technology one, read the same somewhere for Ravens wood?
Thanks.

Mumofmanychores · 01/03/2016 19:28

I've heard coopers isn't a great school and ravenswood is definitely better however I think it depends on the child. Ravenswood didn't suit my son however it doesn't mean it isn't a good school.

Hope you all get your choices despite the 2 new schools no longer opening this year.

YogaPants2441 · 02/03/2016 14:16

Mumofmanychores, that is what I want to understand why Coopers is not great. What is not good about it ?

Ofstead is not the main factor of course but I read both reports. Coopers is a good school with a prospect to become outstanding. They have also invested in couple of new Apple IT rooms and lots of new facilities for Maths, Science and ICT. For RW the Ofstead says that 'Computer programming is not taught well.'
Options in Coopers to study cantonese, russian etc. modern languages. They are very open also about their university intake.

What is so great about Ravenswood reputation?
Can I kindly ask why this school was not suitable for your DS please?

Just trying to find out, do not know any parents with children in both schools and have no info except forums, prospects and Ofstead.

Thanks. And sorry to keep on and on ...

Mumofmanychores · 04/03/2016 04:54

My brother lives in Chislehurst and does a lot of work working in schools and it wasn't one he considered. His kids are at bishop justus and chis & sid.

From what I hear from other parents is mainly to do with lack in teaching and discipline. I believe the school is up and coming and always think you shouldn't rely heavily on ofsted results because an outstanding school does not mean that school is best for your child.

Ravenswood was outstanding however I felt the teachers did not know him for the 2 years he spent there.not much progress was made. The school encourage all students to be leaders and take control of their learning ask questions, ask for support etc which is all fine but for those that lack confidence kind of get forgotten about. Those in middle sets are left with not much support given. This was highlighted in the recent ofsted that more is done for those with special needs and those in the lower and higher sets.

Chasing a right school is hard as all you can go by is other people's views, ofsted results and that one time open day visit which obviously is mainly staged to impress. With no other school space in the borough we opted for private.

YogaPants2441 · 04/03/2016 09:05

Thank you very much, Mumofmanychores, it is great as you have an insight. Unfortunately I do not have other option at present as the other good schools are too far from where we live. You are really helpful.

Mumofmanychores · 05/03/2016 10:37

Try and be positive and look at the positive things about the school. The school may actually be really good and meet your child's needs. Never rely on hearsay. Everybody sees different things in a school. Anything you see that might not be working just speak to the school. You can only make the best if what you have. Also ravenswood and ravensbourne both have a very high pupil turnover, students are always leaving although most spaces at ravenswood tend to be filled up by those transfering from ravensbourne. You could also appeal for a place if you got specific reasons why you want a specific school. We are in that process now.

YogaPants2441 · 07/03/2016 12:09

Thanks for that.
We cannot afford private schools for 2 children. DS did not pass his 11+ and I opted for Coopers due to its profile of being IT college with football school. Sid & Chis and Bexley Grammars (incl. Beths) were our main preference, but we didn't get there. DS plays for an interdependent team that is very high up within the league. Also, I heard that the new head teacher makes significant difference.
It is important for us that our DC are in best schools as English is not our first language and they need support and more guidance. Both are very good in Maths.

You are right about the fact that you can make the most from the school. A friend of mine has a son there who is aiming the grammar stream next year and has received a lot of support to progress to this level.

Bishop justus (from what I've read) is a music school and DS is not into music at all.

Boys from our primary school did not get in to Ravens wood regardless it was their first option.

If I appeal it will be for Langley rather than Ravensw, although it will be impossible to win as we are 2.8 miles from the school.

I was thinking to make an In-Year application there and wait until space is available ...
So disappointed that Bullers wood is not opening this September. It is literally 15 mins walk from our house and I would imagine that they will try to have the same reputation as Bullers Wood Girls. The campaign was major and very optimistic, so I thought they will open in an alternative site despite of not securring planning permission.

Unluckily - not!

Mumofmanychores · 08/03/2016 20:29

It's such a shame the 2 secondary schools didn't open. Many parents were disappointed. I was hoping for langley primary to open last year but is now opening this year.

You have nothing to loose from appealing but unless you have strong grounds very unlikely you will win with langley as you are quite far out. Bishop justus are good on sports. Although they specialise in music it's not a route you need to go down if that subject doesn't interest you.

Best thing to do is go on the waiting list for your chosen schools and check the in year transfer Admissions criteria altho it mainly goes siblings then distance. Places might also still be available after the second offers in may. Langley is our nearest school but not hopeful of winning an appeal as they had a bulge class last Sept due to the shortage of school places

Patry · 10/03/2016 14:43

Sorry to slightly change the subject but do you know know what's happening to bullers wood for boys now then?

Mumofmanychores · 13/03/2016 06:38

From what I've heard they are planning on opening next Sept 2017.

YogaPants2441 · 26/03/2016 09:59

That's the latest update. However from what I've heard they are inviting parents whose boys are currently in year 5 an 4 to register interess. Which means they might not open in 2017. The site they appointed is proven to be unsuitable and high risk due to the level of traffic. They haven't securred alternative site yet so I don't see them opening soon. Wrote to various institutions involved and from what I understand they do not have a clear plan.

YogaPants2441 · 26/03/2016 10:01

In a matter of fact Bullers Wood for Boys never applied for planning permission till date.you can check ot the website of Bromley Borough.

amarante · 09/06/2016 14:00

Does anyone have more reviews regarding Ravenbourne, Ravens wood or Harris in beckenham? Really appreciated.
Thanks

Mumofmanychores · 21/06/2016 17:09

My son went ravenswood for years 7 and 8. Didn't like it and didn't suit my son. However it is a very good school and highly spoken of by many parents.

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