Acland Burghley, Stoke Newington, other north/east London secondary schools

[olympicwashing]

To those in the know: if you could choose, is there much between them?

Can look up results easily and ofsteds - interested in finding out where best to find a culture in which is cool to do well or at least to give it a go, where kids are empowered and articulate, happy and safe, i.e. without an undercurrent of bullying between peergroups etc. Interested in whether there is an issue with drugs or if pretty much the same everywhere or if anywhere particularly low on problems with this. Whether new arrivals are welcomed in a way that puts them at ease (have heard tales of big anxiety issues for some children starting other schools.)

My brother went to Haverstock and absolutely loved it... very empowering, nurturing, etc....

was that recently badmiss?

Not that recently, but have also had lots of friends whose kids have been there much more recently, and still loved it.

thanks, I'll check it out. I knew people there a very very long time ago when i think it was pretty rough...

Haverstock is good- fortismere in muswell hill- Hampstead school used to be great, gone downhill IMO- Stoke Newington v good- I like Acland Burghley (very good arts focus)...

Have you visited any?

I know people who have children at Acland Burghley and they really like it. it's probably where my ds will go in the future, unless William Ellis improves or the new UCL academy is brilliant.

I don't know about Highgate Wood (is that what it's called?) - isn't it meant to be improving a lot?

thanks v much. no not visited yet - missed chance for this year as started looking into it too late. dcs not that age quite yet but trying to think ahead and get settled somewhere and stay the course.