Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Can anyone suggest a good company that will help me choose what school my child should go to?

77 replies

Reece001 · 12/04/2011 22:50

I am looking for a list of companys, (anywhere in the UK) who would help me in finding a good school for my 16 year old boy. He is currently at an Independent School in Scotland. We are moving down to England. I just need someone to help me through the whole process. As I really woudn't know where to start. I dint mind how much it costs or where I need to go to get the best help as possible from a professional company!

Many Thanks

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 12/04/2011 23:33

What are his needs? Any sn? Academically gifted? Sporty? Drama? Each school has different qualities.

harecare · 12/04/2011 23:34

No company knows your child. Only you and he can make the decision after visiting your shortlist. It sounds like you have a choice of 2. Can you/he/both make a visit in the holidays. If there is little in it then really only a visit will make the decision.
Some things need time not money. It's unfortunate that you seem to have more money than time, but you need time for this decision. Shorten the time needed by making one visit to the area and seeing both schools.
I'm sure you'll find a company to tell you the relative merits of the schools in that area, but they won't be your son and they won't know which he'd prefer.

Original poster
Reece001 · 12/04/2011 23:35

Thankyou MollieO, thats exactly what I am looking for.

OP posts:
MollieO · 12/04/2011 23:36

You're welcome! Good luck with the move.

Original poster
Reece001 · 12/04/2011 23:38

No special needs. He is very sporty and recieved a sporting scholarship in the school he is at ATM. He is resonably academic, but more sporty.

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 12/04/2011 23:40

Westminster is't the best way to head then as it's very highly academic. St Paul's is a good school.

Seriously, you don't need to pay for this info. It's best that you do the leg work as no one knows your child like you.

Original poster
Reece001 · 12/04/2011 23:42

ok thankyou belledechocchipcookie

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 12/04/2011 23:43

Best of luck. It's a mine field out there Wink

Maryz · 12/04/2011 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DarkSkies · 12/04/2011 23:49

Isn't 16 a bad time to move from Scotland? Has he already begun his Higher courses? Wouldn't it be better for him to board in Scotland?

NonnoMum · 12/04/2011 23:54

Methinks the child is posting.

Too many glaring spelling errors for a "gratefull professional trying not to be offencive".

Strange.

Original poster
Reece001 · 12/04/2011 23:55

Maryz, yes you are correct. I infact just became a member today. I was looking at several different posts last week and thats when I came across this post. I cant remember the site name. I think it was something like schoolschoice. But cant find it. As there was not a post that suited what I was looking for, I decided to become a member today and post to see what would happen. And it has been a godsend.

OP posts:
Original poster
Reece001 · 12/04/2011 23:58

DarkSkies, I know pulling my boy out of school at 16 might be a bad descision, but as I am down in London re work ect.. And we have been down to London together on several different occasions, he has really taken to it. And is really set to move. I am happy with that, as he would be happier than he is ATM. But yes it is a big descision for me, but I do want him to be happy, along with get good results.

OP posts:
Original poster
Reece001 · 13/04/2011 00:01

NonnoMum, I am really sorry about spelling mistakes, and yes you are funny thinking that my child is posting. I really dont think that it is his cup of tea sitting here on 'Mums Net'. He is more the facebook type. We all make mistakes dont we?

OP posts:
DarkSkies · 13/04/2011 00:02

Well, moving him now would mean him repeating a year, and starting A Levels from scratch in September- is he happy with that?

Original poster
Reece001 · 13/04/2011 00:11

Yes, he is happy with that. But im unsure if he is just saying that because he would be happier and like to move to London because its bigger and better. If you know what i am saying!

OP posts:
EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 13/04/2011 00:20

Does his current school only take day pupils?

leeks70 · 13/04/2011 09:22

I have used this organisation before, not specifically for the same purpose as you but found them very good for my needs. I know they do provide a schools search too. www.suelaidlaw.co.uk/
HTH

thekidsmom · 13/04/2011 09:30

This thread is strange to me - OP you say you have no time to research schools for your son but you do have the time to spend an evening posting here? All it takes is a quick look at the websites for the very few schools in your area to get a feel of them. No matter what happens you'll want to visit a couple - just arrange an appointment and go and get an idea for yourselves.

Plus, you son's current school will be able to help - they all know each other in this market.

Loshad · 13/04/2011 09:38

no decisions to be made here, if he's bright enough and you can afford it - westminster.

LIZS · 13/04/2011 09:49

Can his current school not recommend anywhere appropriate ? It is sometimes offered as part of a relocation service so worth contacting some agents.

mrsdenman · 13/04/2011 10:06

Trollhunters abound, as usual. Hmm

slipshodsibyl · 13/04/2011 11:16

For a reasonable fee, the Good Schools Guide will provide the service you want I think - they used to anyway. As Mollie mentioned above, Gabbitas do the same thing.

I do think that although Scotland is not far away, it is far enough that there might be aspects of a London school's culture that you might not be aware of and an independent advisor might be able to explain some of these for you without your having to visit them all.

There are other specialist companies, but be careful that you use one which is independent and not paid by the schools it recommends.

Westminster is a great suggestion, but awfully hard to get into at 6th form.

Good luck for a successful move.

diabolo · 13/04/2011 11:22

Surely you should choose your child's school?

Not leave it up to some random strangers who don't know the first thing about him?