Schools in Barnet, Brooklands, Akiva, Manorside

[KangarooBarnard]

I know there are a couple of old threads on this but looking get recent opinions from any parents with kids at Brooklands in Hampstead Garden Suburb and Akiva and Manorside in Finchley - all in London for any non Londoners who are interested. Thanks to falling birth rates we’re likely to get into all three, which is a surprise and it’s making us rethink our options and preferences. So would like to hear a bit more from parents.

What do you think of the schools, the teaching, the other kids etc?

Are the schools academic, pastorally supportive, sporty, arty, other? We’ve got a bright, over-energetic kid who excels at some things but struggles with one or two others.

How have the schools been affected by funding cuts?

Is staff turnover bad?

How is the social side of things at Akiva? is it tough for kids to make friends and have play dates if their parents aren’t already immersed in the community etc.

Thanks so much in advance

Are you Jewish re Akiva? If you don’t meet the practicing requirements it’s unlikely you’d get in.

All schools have been impacted by funding cuts. It may not be readily observable to a parent (far fewer TAs, much less individual time from teacher, fewer trips etc).

staff turnover will impact every London school - teachers wages mean many have or will leave. There are lots of open posts popping up throughout the year generally.

think about ease of journey. Makes a huge difference.

Yes our kids are half Jewish, but we’re not very embedded in the north London community - partner grew up abroad and I’m not a Londoner - but we know it can be quite closely knit. In theory anyone can get in if they get the required shul points and live close by. Much the same as other faith schools. I doubt anyone does though.

I asked the questions about funding and teachers as some schools will have more funding if they have more kids that are eligible for pupil premiums or if parents do a lot of fundraising or make contributions. Also from knowing lots of teachers, yes it’s rough out there for them, hence why they do tend to stay in schools that treat them well.

All three are good options but I’m sure there are differences that are more apparent to parents with kids at the schools, so I’d be very grateful for any specific knowledge if you have it @ConkersBonkerz1992

To be honest, funding is tenuous and varies year to year really - depends on every cohort and ECHPs for that year so I wouldn’t put much stay by that.
Akiva performs very well academically but is pretty strict.