We were put off Acland by couple of things, some more personal than others - the obvious thing being two bad Ofsted reports in a row, I'm normally very sceptical with regards to Ofsted reports but two bad, one after another - must be a reason for these.
It is the furthest one away from us, we are not familiar with the area as yet and when driving through the route, Im not so sure I'd be comfortable with daughter walking there.
Another one is that it is a heavy boy school, boys can be very disruptive at this age and the reason for her wanting to go to the mixed school is to have the balance..
Then there is the documentary on Channel 5.. absolutely put me off!
And last, although daughter thinks it is a positive, the no uniform thing is not my favourite. I went to a non uniform school and it was pretty hard - judged for wearing not the right clothes, not the right trainers, etc. At least with the uniform, it is easy and one thing less to worry about bullying-wise.
What we like about RHS is the partnerships they have, the variety of accreditations and simply things they came up with, like the CD for literacy resources, etc. It just tells me they try and encourage to try.
Good Ofsted reports - must be doing something right.
I like the facilities (I know this should be the least of factors) but.. daughter attends a very good school at the moment, oversubscribed, in a very privileged area but the school facilities are so poor I feel sorry for the kids. All run down and dingy dark. So for me, if for a change she can have nice environment to learn in, it's a bonus! She was pretty impressed too :)
And I like how she's walk on the main, busy road. But this is very personal..!
Our other closest school is Camden School for Girls but that is pretty impossible to get into, and she is so not keen on all girls school! We put an application in but no high hopes!
Now, all of the above is just my research and my personal feeling about both schools, we have never lived in the area and only moving next month; I don't know any parents who would have given me their opinion so I might be totally wrong :)