South cambridgeshire village colleges - any advice?

[1busybee]

I am currently considering secondary for my children and am really confused by it all. I have one child with mild hfa (currently in ms with a great teacher and therefore requiring no real support, previous years has had other teachers who were not so black and white and therefore needed much more support as well as getting very anxious and disruptive)! I also have a younger child who has been diagnosed with a hearing impairment. He is currently doing really well in ms primary but I am looking for a school that has awareness of his needs and the ability to easily cater for him if needed further down the line. Both my boys are quite bright, they both love sport, one very naturally able at most sport he's tried, the other tries hard and does ok but hates being left out of teams because someones always a bit faster!!!. The less sport able one is very musical though and loves drama music etc! Has anyone got any advice or knowledge of south cambridgeshire schools....or anything a little further afield if suitable! I think there should be a good choice of state school around but would consider private if it demonstrated a clear difference. I would ideally love both kids to go to same school but have already realised that what's right for one isn't always right for the other. Tingalingle it looks like you are very knowledgeable in this area and I'd be really grateful for any advice or feedback!

I can't comment on S Cambs state schools as these were full when we applied. You mention private schools as an option and I would just advise you against Cambridge International School. A year ago it would have been an excellent choice for your situation but a recent takeover by International Schools Partnership has left parents and pupils in deep shock, the staff are demotivated and ready to leave and it is now a very unhappy place.

hmm tricky - the other issues for state are where you would get in - do either have a statement or the new version of, and also getting there - would you be planning to take him there . For village schools schools buses can be a factor for example. Where do children from your current school normally go? Perhaps then people could give a indication of suitability

Thanks for the replies. There is a complete mix of where children go - fair few to Bassingbourn, melbourn and some further away at Comberton and Sawston. Neither child has a statement/EHCP. Obviously a school bus would be great but happy to drive them if its the right school. I am lucky in that I can arrange my work hours around school drop off/pick ups.

Errm , well, our expertise in Combs schools is entirely inadvertent, really, and stems from DS1's statement for Asperger's. He was exceptionally well catered for at Comberton - but he had a full-time statement, a 1-to-1 TA and a place in The Cabin (the Asperger's centre), and from what you are saying, that wouldn't be the level of need for your older boy?

DS2 (Sawston VC) had a close friend with autism at Sawston who seemed also to be cherished there. I like Sawston a lot, and DS adored it. Should warn you though that DD, who is younger, just regards it as 'Meh - it's school.'

Combs = Cambs.

Thanks Tingalingle. Yes you re right my eldest doesn't appear to need that level of support but does need adults who understand him and where discipline is fair and consistent to all!!!! He likes to police!! It's great to hear that your son did well and yes I think my younger one maybe more "whatever" about school. The eldest will either be really really in love with it or completely hate and loath it......all dependent on the fairness of the day!!!

Thanks t00tles for your comments on CIS it's a real shame things have changed so dramatically. I was under the impression that school was partnered with another school in Cambridge already?

The music and drama at Sawston is great, so I suspect your dramatic son would love that - though I'm told by those with artily inclined children that it's pretty impressive at Comberton too.

My slight reservation about Sawston currently is the new 'vertical tutoring' system, which has just been brought in and which has separated DD from all her friends for tutor time. Essentially, each morning, they go into tutor groups containing 3-4 from each year for tutor time, to encourage cross-year interaction. For a somewhat anxious child who doesn't willingly speak to anyone outside her small friendship group, this is a bit of a bummer, though I can see that the intention is good.

Where are you more likely to get in, as this is quite a crucial point?