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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

StCecilias, Jonh Bosco College, Southfields College, Ashcroft...

42 replies

Vixxxen · 25/01/2014 14:35

Any comments?

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 09:38

ntw I was unhappy at the beginning, but I'm happy with the school now. But for section I am worried not only about the educational side of the school but also the kind of friends she will mix with.
I really hope I am not being precious but I would rather her not making friends with the drugdealer's children or the stripper daughters. Also I would rather her not making friends with teens that as small kids were shouted at and swared at as a norm.
I am not generalizing but this is what I see on daily basis here.

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 09:43

The

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 09:43

t

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 09:43

C

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 09:44

CofE school is 0.8 miles away. 15 minutes walking and 5 minutes by car..

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 09:56

I am shocked!!!
I have just called the CofE school out of curiosity and Dd is not only still on the list but she is number 3!!!!!!!!
They will contact me when/If she get a place there!
OMG this is crazy and now I am not sure what to do.....

ntw will she have more chances to get into an all girls CofE secondary school if she goes to a primary school??

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NearTheWindmill · 28/01/2014 10:08

No. Her chances will be based on the extent to which you meet the admissions criteria.

Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 10:14

NTW you have been so helpful and patient with me. Here is my Thanks to you.

Dd's best friend in her current school is moving for Y3 and I am so sad.
Maybe we will make a move too if there is a place for her. The CofE have a lot of after school clubs, breakfast club and this is lacking in the current school..but I am in two minds still.

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 10:52

Reading the CofE school website I found out that the school receive the only London Dyslexia award...guess what, DD is dyslexic....

I hope we get a place now.

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Vixxxen · 28/01/2014 10:53

Not the only school to receive the dyslexia award but the first one.

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wheresthebeach · 30/01/2014 22:42

Fingers crossed for you

Vixxxen · 31/01/2014 10:32

This is a extract from LMS's website

After admitting girls with statements of special educational needs, the school will give first priority to looked-after girls and to girls who were previously looked after but were subsequently adopted. Preference is also given the applicants who have a sister at the school in Years 7-11

Is dyslexia considered statements of special educational needs?

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Londonlady48 · 31/01/2014 10:59

All the schools you mention have mixed reputations, it depends which one you think your child will fit into best. Each school will have its own entry policy, I suggest you look at their websites once your child is in Y3 to see what the position is - no point in relying on hearsay on this.

Also don't be put off by a few rough looking kids outside the school. Unless you go private or to a grammar this is bound to be the case as the schools you mention are comprehensives. A lot will depend on whether you want a single sex environment.

My dc is at St Cs and it is a kind caring environment. Lots of middle class children from Southfields attend the school. Most of them do well, the main thing is how determined and hard they are prepared to work. You will also find that lots of parents pay for private tuition once you get closer to GCSEs. Ashcroft has an excellent and improving reputation - it is more science based and has a zero tolerance attitude to discipline which is not to everyone's liking.

Burntwood has a good reputation. It is a large school and I think it is 60/70 % muslim now due to preference for single sex education. I have friends with children at all these schools and at the end of the day there does not seem an awful lot to chose between them.

The only school I know nothing about is Southfields. This school was perceived as being mainly for non English speaking children and I have never been aware of any children with English as a first language going there. It does not appear to be marketing itself for English as a first language children but I may be wrong about this and schools change.

Londonlady48 · 31/01/2014 11:04

Re statements - these are legal documents you get from the Council after going through a set process. They are getting harder and harder to get as the statement obliges the school to give your DC a specified amount of extra help. Dyslexia in itself won't mean your DC gets a statement, if you think you DC needs one you should talk to the school and the council.

All schools are meant to be able to cope with dyslexia and will have strategies in place, I suggest you ask the particular schools when you visit on open days etc.

Vixxxen · 31/01/2014 11:25

Thank you for your input londonlady.
Lots to think about, thank God I have time ahead of me.
DD was assessed by a Children's Psychologist and I have a report which sets specified teaching strategies for her, but still not sure if it is a statement. Will have a look into it.

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Londonlady48 · 31/01/2014 18:16

No problem, an Ed Psych report will definately not be a statement but could be useful in getting a statement. As I said you or the school will have to approach the council for one. it used to be easier to get statements but now vast majority of special needs pupils on School Action or School Action +. The advantage of a statement is that the funding is ring fenced. With SA and SA+ you will get an individual education plan (IEP) but I found that often the sessions did not happen due to the school having other priorities.

PleaseNoMoreMinecraft · 01/02/2014 22:10

DS is in year 5 and we've been asking around about schools so have heard from the odd parent/child who know some of the schools you mentioned.

I spoke to a teacher who's worked at Southfields and says she wouldn't even consider it for her children, and a couple of parents have echoed that (although you don't know how much is hearsay) and I know one boy who's going to Ashcroft and is really loving it and thriving, although I've also heard it's extremely strict which may or may not suit some kids.

We are, however, looking more at other schools so that's really the limit of what we've found out. Hope your application goes well!

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