How do you know which is the right school?

[mrsmummy]

Have just completed the open nights for 3 secondary schools, 1 has been dismissed by me and dh and ds, so the choice is between the other 2. 1st one has outstanding ofsted and slightly better GCSE results a - c (including maths and enlgish), they also do accelerated learning - GCSEs early for the more able - ds is a more able kids, the school is modern and the teachers young and keen, 2nd one is a COE on, no problems getting him in as we attend church, GCSE results not as good but only slightly but they get more grades A</strong> A and B, the other school were majority C, the building is old and needs work, teachers a mixture of old and young, and I think he will get pushed that bit more at this school, DS is leaning towards the 1st one me and dh the 2nd,he is not bothered about going where is friends are - 2 are going to the one we prefer no close friends going to the one he prefers, how much say do i let him have? I just want him to be happy, enjoy school but come out knowing he has done the best he could with GCSEs help!

I think if you are pretty happy with either choice, I'd let DS decide - I wouldn't let someone that age pick a school I was unhappy about, but when they sound roughly equal in your estimation I think there's a lot to be said for DS being able to pick. That way, he will have an emotional investment in making it work, and is less likely to meet any minor issues with "I never wanted to come here anyway!" which he might well throw at you if you send him to the other one.

I agree with AmuminScotland. But make sure he understands the bit about the school which gets more A*s and As, if he's bright. And that older teachers can be more experienced, better at teaching and classroom management than new young ones with a lot to learn! My DS has a wonderful tracvher at the moment in sixth form and we're all praying she won't retire for a good while yet!

Do both schools have sixth forms? If so, have you looked at A level results and range of subjects offered?

Thanks for your replies. Have said to ds that he will have some say in it. The one we are leaning towards has a 6th form but we also have one of the best 6th form colleges in the country on our doorstep which he has already decided he wants to go to!!! I would have no problem with either decsion regarding 6th form

If they are tied on the academic front, what about non-academics? Which one is best for extra-curricular activities?

Just a minor point, mrsmummy, but it?s possible that a school which is getting a lot of Cs is concentrating on getting the borderline students into the A-C category at the expense of the brightest DCs. Might be worth digging a little deeper to see if this is the case.

This is obviously a good thing if you have an average DC, but may not be if you have a bright one.

Have you visited during the day ... might make a different impression

Well DS has made HIS decision and he has chosen the one we were leaning towards which did suprise me a little. He had looked at the exam results plus plus he had heard his friends mum(teacher) saying what her deputy head thought aboutt eh school mattellie
which was roughly what you said, it was a failing school and the new head has done a fantastic job to get the GCSE results they did but he may have taken it has far as he could. Anyway decision made and a weight of my shoulders, thanks for your responses

I am really unsure about early GCSEs. Well, actually, i;m not unsure at all - I think it's a rubbish idea. And looking at my dd's friends and the impact it's having on their lives reinforces my view. I can't see any advantage at all to the child.