Secondary schools in Bath

[mrsrat]

Please help. Had to choose a secondary school without visiting so chose from Ofsted report. MNers advice was Hayesfield was ok but looking at exam results am seriously worried. Before our move we were able to afford private school where 10 ish o levels were the norm. Should I have chosen Oldfield ???????

I have actually taught in both at some point in my teaching career, and to be honest I don't think there is a great deal to choose between them. Oldfield has a slightly different catchment (some may say more affluent) - in fact until recently a lot of childen have come in from Bristol. Hayesfield is on a split site which some people like - others think it is a negative. Oldfield is now coeducational where as Hayesfield is still all girls until 6th form. From my experience both schools have some really great students and both have their fair share of difficult ones! Both have fairly strict Heads, and so poor behaviour is dealt with and from my experience they made sure the staff were doing a good job.
What age is your daughter? If she is coming from a private school either would be a bit of a new experience for her to be honest! If your daughter has a degree of self motivation I am sure she will be fine at Hayesfield, it is by no means a poor school at all. The other very popular option in Bath is Ralph Allen - or if you can look outside Bath, Wellsway School in Keynsham is a very good comprehensive.