Catholic secondary schools in London

[universalis]

I have a year 5 boy at a catholic primary and feel a little overwhelmed by the talk in the playground (by the parents) about secondary schools anyone any advice? It all sounds so confusing, we definitely want a catholic school state or private that will nurture his faith as its something very dear to him however we are worried now that we aren't prepared. We thought we'd look round a few "good" ones in September and choose one but now we worry we have left it too late should we be on a waiting list? Which catholic schools are thought to be nurturing?

whereabouts are you? There aren't any waiting lists for state secondary schools until after the admissions procedure is completed in Y6, so you haven't missed the boat as such.

your primary should have given you some advice by now about secondary transfer - ask them to talk you through it. You will need to get yourself to open days in September and make sure you do the catholic supplementary forms supplied by each school as well as the local authority admissions. Where abouts in london are you looking? I have a son at primary too but worth that while the catholic boys schools might nurture his faith they may not nurture him

we are in Herne Hill/brixton our son is fairly bright/ sporty/ musical and is sociable does well at school but is not particularly competitive or driven his faith seems to be all encompassing I find it hard to see a difference between nurturing his faith and nurturing himself.

Wimbledon College? Gentler than Cardinal Vaughan or the Oratory, and not as ferociously strict.

Or St Benedict's in Ealing if you want private.

Sacred heart Camberwell? St Michael's Bermondsey? St Joseph's Beulah Hill? Bishop Thomas Grant Streatham?
These are all popular Catholic schools, look at websites and visit them with your son in September

Thanks, so many!! I guess we'll just have to look at lots, will I know what's right for him when I go? Are the oratory and cardinal vaughan really ferociously strict? are boys happy there? Does anyone have children at Bishop Challoner shortlands or tower hamlets or Bishop Thomas Grant and what are your experiences?

It's worth checking the admissions websites of the schools you might consider. Our catholic secondary serves 6 named parishes, and priority is given to catholic students living in these parishes. Other schools have different policies.

My son's best friend is at Bishop Thomas Grant and he loves it there, and his mum is very happy with the school too. He travels with others from East Dulwich but I'm sure you would find children going there from your area too. It's good to ask children you meet at the open days about their school.

What are people's experiences of open evenings do they give a accurate depiction of what the school will be like other than facilities?

They are surprisingly revealing, ime. You can tell a lot about a school's priorities from how they organise the open day, and pick up the atmosphere, particularly the interaction between staff and pupils, and the way staff talk to the parents/each other. But if your child is in Y5, surely you must have had conversations with other parents about secondary schools? By Y5 many parents are talking about little else, tbh.

The Oratory and Cardinal Vaughan are love-it-or-hate-it experiences -- some people think it's education heaven, others think it's bootcamp for small boys. Horses for courses.

What schools do dc routinely go onto from your primary school? Regardless of personal preference, your options will most likely be constrained by which schools your ds would realistically get into. Which will in turn depend on some variation of where you live, which primary your dc goes to, and your level of catholic practice and involvement in parish life.

What does what does the d stand for in dc or ds? Parents are talking about secondary choices but tend to put the catholicity second to "results" in my opinion and I'd really like a truly spiritual school for my son. Children do go to the oratory from our primary and to a lesser degree to cardinal vaughan but also to a variety of private, grammar and more local catholic schools and some to secular state so its two or three to any one secondary.

if you don't mind saying - what primary does your boy go to? it sounds like they should be giving you better advice/support

I would agree with clarabb, my childrens' school has actually sent out sec, sch. information to yr 4 & 5 parents already.

Your church newsletter should soon begin to detail upcoming open days, too. Ours does.

Perhaps a bit far for you but my boys go to the John Fisher School in Purley and I have been amazed by the level of pastoral support as well as academic achievement. Eg when boys have not made as much progress as expected teacher asking how can I deliver lessons differently so it better supports your son.

Open days are difficult as so many people and so much to see. You need to see quite a few schools before you know what you are looking for and what to ask. St Mary's Church West Croydon is organsising an event on 10.9.14 for prospective parents to meet current parents of Croydon schools and Catholic secondary schools in neighbouring boroughs to get their views as well as basic info and help with form filling before attending round of open evenings in autumn.

This thread is 3 years old!!

Do any of you can say something about St Joseph -Norwood?