Secondary School for DD1,choice between one in Special Measures & one with a drug problem.

[Mirage]

We have to decide on a state secondary school for DD1 this year and I'm getting really worried.The catchment school has always had a bad name,I went there and swore that I'd never inflict it on a child of mine.Classes were continually disrupted,things set on fire,if you were quiet or tried to work,you'd be bullied for being 'posh'.No one I knew went to university,I left at 16 just to get away from the place.

I've tried to put my bad experience aside and was gradually coming around to her having to go there,helped by the fact that it was rated good in it's most recent OFSTED inspection.However,last month it was inspected again and was classed as inadequate across the board and put into special measures.There were serious concerns about attainment,quality of teaching and pupils' behaviour.

The only other school locally is smaller,but has an equally bad reputation for behaviour and a serious drug problem.Parents are pulling their kids out left right and centre.If DD1 goes to this school,I will have to drop her off and pick her up every day,as there is no transport provided,which at least means that she won't be hanging about the place after school.She'll only just have turned 11 when she goes and is not at all street wise.

She wants to go where her friends are going,but a lot are going private if they can afford it.We can't,but could manage to pay for a tutor if need be.

My head is spinning,I really wanted better for my DDs and am gutted that the choice of schools is so bad. DH doesn't come from around here and doesn't know quite how poor they are.He seems unconcerned about it all.

[toolatetobed]

OP, I don't know enough about the private school system to know whether any schools do offer such things as 100% bursaries, but I think you should find this out definitively before you rule out applying for private schools.

[Evageorge]

OK, what is the Ofsted of the other school, that parents are pulling their children out of? You only have anecdotal evidence about what this school is like. You need to call them up before open evening time next term, and ask for a tour during lesson time, to see what you think.
As for the school in special measures - yes, it's a risk. You need to find out what is happening now, because schools in special measures are required to improve quickly. It could be that an academy chain with lots of experience is taking them over. Ask for a visit in school time again, and see if it looks better to you. You also need to go to their open evening, and be convinced about what improvements are taking place. Sometimes, if a school is improving, it's a good place for your child to be. www.how-to-choose-a-school.org/open-evenings-and-school-visits.html will help you. It's not for profit, and tries to be impartial.

[teacherwith2kids]

I live in a town full of private schools - posh ones - and 4 pupils being expelled for drugtaking from one or the other is, while not exactly regular, not unknown (and wasn't unknown back when DH was at school locally, either). It does depend on your DD's character, too - is she a determined 'do her own thing' child? Or one likely to 'fall in with what her mates are doing'? Able / top set material, or likely to be in middle / bottom groups?

[ICanTotallyDance]

Sounds drastic but:

-state boarding school
-bursary/scholarship (day or boarding)
-send her to live with relatives somewhere with a nice school

All could be temporary fixes unless a school reputation improves or you move house. Or they could be permanent solutions (except maybe the last one).

If lessons are as bad as they were in your day, she will spend 7-8 hours doing nothing every day no matter her attitude unless she skives off and goes to the library. In that scenario you would be better off having her home-educated (particularly in a group where you all chip in for a tutor) because everything she would be missing out on from a good school she would be missing out on at those schools a well.

I normally have trouble believing schools can be that crap, but I just came home from a birthday party where a 7 year old couldn't read his own name (top of his class at a "good" school).

HOWEVER sometimes even beautiful schools with great results have a couple of kids who get into trouble with drugs. Have a thorough tour with the schools and discuss your concerns with the head and the guide.

Is your DD really only in zone for two schools? Even a long bus ride might be better than this.

[HabbaDabbaDoo]

'most secondary schools have drug problems of some sort'

And the award for Generalisation of the Day goes to .....

[tiredaftertwo]

A generalisation is extrapolating from the specific to the general. Saying most secondary schools will have drug problems of some sort is a statement of a belief that as drugs are used by a significant minority of young people (general), it is unlikely there are many secondary schools containing hundreds if not thousands of young people, none of whom ever use drugs (general). The OP seemed to have a different view (fair enough), so people were putting an alternative viewpoint, politely.