outstanding school or local academy?

[cwazycaz]

dilemma is such; 2 local schools to choose from. one has been rated outstanding but is not in our borough, DC won't know anyone and it's huge! or one local academy where most of his friends will be going but results and reputation more relaxed. DC has no preference

2/3 of secondary schools are academies and the number is rising fast - by the election almost all will have converted
and then they will be snapped up by sponsors

I would go for the outstanding one because of proven results. DC will make new friends - as it's a large school, there should be lots of extracurricular clubs to choose from and therefore opportunities to meet new people.

Not enough information to go on really. Would you be offered a place at school 1 if you live out of borough i.e do you live close enough? How recently was the inspection where it was graded Outstanding - the OFSTED framework has changed significantly within the last year so this may be out of date? It may be better to choose a school that is improving year on year rather than rely on past reputation.
Have you visited both schools and which did you prefer?
If you put school 1 as first preference would you still be allocated school 2 if you didn't qualify for school 1 i.e. how close do you live to school 2?
Most children do make new friends at secondary school, but not knowing anyone does sound hard. Where are the remainder of his friends applying to if they are not going to either school 1 or 2? If you have 3 preferences then you really do need to place 3 schools in order of preference.

Hi, just about to move my daughter out of 'outstanding' school and move her to our local 'improving' academy! My fingers are crossed for her, but I don't think she can be any unhappier. She starts after half term and doesn't know a soul! I don't think 'outstanding' is always worth the paper it is written on. Go with your gut...I wish I had have done that.

Great questions crazymum! choice is for DC2
School 1 & 2 both walking distance.
School 1 - last ofsted july 13 - school rated outstanding for many years. DC1 in school 1 and is not happy - still trying to figure out unhappiness
DC2 has slight preference for School 1 as outstanding - visited both schools and didn't like either. indies not an option
tried grammars - only one nearby and too competitive - others too far
School 2 - improving but still feels too laid back - many friends going to school 2
other schools in area oversubscribed so only 2 options are school 1 or 2.
maybe real question is, academic results or social network, which matters most?

also need to mention that DC1 in Y9, not happy in School 1, has not made any friends, and finds school 1 too academic. would like to move DC1 to school 2 but don't want to give anymore excuse to do even less work. and not sure she'll make more friends.
DC2 very bright, very popular, needs to be in academic setting but will miss friends terribly.
2 very different characters and 1 school needs to fit both

Hello all, joined Mumsnet today and would like some of your advice if you can help. Has anyone been faced with a choice for their DD between Henrietta Barnett and St Michaels for next year? Both are outstanding and both with a reasonable commute and DD likes both but will know no one going to either. Has anyone else faced this choice and what has been your deciding factor? Any advice will be gratefully appreciated.

Why do both your children need to be at the same school? Or will you only have a good chance of getting DC2 into school 1 if DC1 is still there?

Regarding academic results or social network it's a real tricky one. My DD is doing really well academically but is suffering socially. I feel that there is only so long she can carry on that before she either cracks or is too unhappy to achieve. I am hoping a new school will open new doors and bring new friends, and I will just have to hope the academic side to things stay the same. I think teenagers need friends and to feel included. I wish she had have had primary school friends to move up with but that just didn't happen...they mostly went private...only 5 went state and all to different schools! Good luck with your decision :)

Does either school have a "thing" that will click with your DC? Ie, are they good at sport, drama, music.....

I wouldn't necessarily go for an outstanding school, and the fact that the other school is an Academy makes no odds really. Our local comp converted to Academy status about 18 months ago, and noting changed.