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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

South East London secondaries - thoughts please!

41 replies

HappyPrince · 21/09/2014 15:29

My son is in year 6 and we are currently trawling schools in Forest Hill/Crystal Palace/Dulwich area. Any advice, either from parents with kids already at schools in this area or prospective parents, would be very welcome. Thank you!

OP posts:

SpringHeeledJack · 06/10/2014 11:19

thanks SE13Mummy- it's good to have another perspective. And the last bit is making me see the head in a new light- not quite as Malory-Towers-y as I'd thought!

(I think I met you ages ago, looking at primary schools. Tho I might be thinking of someone else entirely...)

HappyPrince we haven't looked at Conisbrough, although it was on our list- I know it's popular; the catchment area looks quite tight for us, but then we're quite a long way away

(I appreciate that isn't very helpful!)

LadyWellian · 06/10/2014 13:42

SpringHeeled, don't write it off though, for sure. I'm not coping very well with having a 14yo and it is colouring all my perceptions a bit! I'm not sure the school is so high-performing that your top or nearly-top daughter would struggle - in fact she'd probably get the benefit of whatever it is that those in the top sets get the benefit of (sadly this is outside my experience ).

I was actually more impressed than I had expected with Sydenham when we went round there, but we were happy with the offer of Prendergast (our second choice - we put Aske's first as DD is an only child and of the two we would have preferred a mixed school). I dare say it will turn out OK in the end if I don't drive myself insane first.

SpringHeeledJack · 06/10/2014 14:35

Oh god poor you

don't worry, I promise it gets better in about 4 years or so

(can't go into any detail as am pretty identifiable on here, but I feel your pain. And am bracing self for having two 14yos at once)

we all have reservations about PHF, but we shall see. Apart from that none of us are too happy with idea of single sex schools-all found it quite an odd environment. One D thinks ss is strange, the other wants to go mixed 'because I think I'll probly want a boyfriend by the time I'm about 14 or 15'

LadyWellian · 07/10/2014 14:20

LOL, DD said on finding out she had been offered PHF 'and they take boys in the sixth form, and by the time I'm in the sixth form I'll be old enough for a boyfriend'. I said you just keep thinking like that, darling.

Oh, those days of innocence!

Thymeout · 07/10/2014 19:32

I can see that Ms Roberts comes across as rather traditional, but there's a very deep-rooted streak of social conscience in her nature and she's straight as a dye.

I think she's retiring at the end of this academic year, tho' I expect the Governors will be looking for someone similar. Prendergast has always had a reputation for high standards academically, and in behaviour, but also a genuine sense of trying to help the disadvantaged, whether in ability or social background.

I agree it does feel a bit old-fashioned, nothing cutting edge or trendy about it, but it's a very solid and reliable sort of institution.

AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves · 08/10/2014 13:34

Many years ago a friend of mine was a supply teacher in another Lewisham school. A child she was teaching had already lost most of her family. Her mother was all she had left. Sadly, the mother died. My friend went to the funeral. Not one single other person from the school was there.

Around the same time a girl from Prendergast had experienced something similar. Not only did Ms Roberts attend the funeral but a close relative of hers led the service. The school staff used all their charitable contacts to get hold of money to help with the costs of the funeral and the headstone.

Not long afterwards there was an awful family tragedy affecting another girl there. The school staff acted immediately in a number of practical ways to support her and her family, which made a crucial difference to them at a very difficult time.

All of these stories are from a good few years ago now, but I'd be surprised to learn that the place had changed much.

meadowquark · 09/10/2014 09:12

Just a quick word about Harris CP, see the parentview: here 75% do not recommend the school!! What's going on in there?!

SpringHeeledJack · 09/10/2014 09:37

WOAH that's interesting quark

mind you only a small sample?

and re Sue Roberts- that's also really interesting. Perhaps she should play that (pastoral care) up a bit in her head's talk

that said maybe she's just giving the prospective parents what they want

sorryforher · 09/10/2014 13:36

Have to say that the parental dissatisfaction with Harris reflects many of the comments made by friends of mine with children there.

Thymeout · 09/10/2014 13:38

Re Harris CP - have no idea what's going on. But that percentage was based on the opinions of only 28 parents.

glorious · 09/10/2014 14:03

Shameless advertising here but i notice a few of you are near me. We have a local meet up for ladywell/hither green which is all babies/todders/ young primary atm so if anyone with older children wants to join us then please do. We meet once a month at various times and places to suit people, and you can find details on mumsnet local Lewisham (click meet ups then select ladywell/hither green).

My DD isn't yet 2 but I'm dreading school applications already, good luck everyone!

sydenhamhiller · 09/10/2014 15:14

Anyone else with boys? We are 15 min walk from Kingsdale, also visited Forest Hill (in number 1 position for me at the mo, DS dazzled by kingsdale's free goes on iPads...). Also went to Harris CP, and feel like I perhaps should have gone to Harris Boys East Dulwich - not as close, but direct bus.

Ah, the illusion of choice. 3 schools, possibly 4 - and two more slots on the form.

Anyone else in my position? What are your thoughts?

SpringHeeledJack · 09/10/2014 16:40

have you looked at Sedgehill, syd?

we all really liked it. Might be well out of your way, but maybe you're on a direct bus route?

it reminded me of Kingsdale years ago-school shaking off its bad rep and really, really trying

peony68 · 09/10/2014 17:51

Harris Boys Academy East Dulwich definitely worth a look if you can manage it. I have a Ds in year 7 there , I know its only 6 weeks in but we are really happy with it so far . Ds is a very shy introvert boy , but is really happy and confident going off to school each day , and coming home full of it . Such a relief for us as our older son is at Forest Hill and although we are really happy with it for him it is too big for DS2 to manage , so quite a big decision for us to stray away from the tried and trusted . DS2 has found it really easy to adjust to his new surroundings and finds the staff easy to approach , the lessons very interesting and the building easy to navigate . He has made lots of new friends , which is not easy for him as he is so shy . As I say so far so good ....... sighs with relief , and wishes all of you going through secondary transfer at the moment every good wish .

Original poster

HappyPrince · 12/10/2014 16:20

Good to know about Harris East Dulwich, peony and thanks for good wishes. It's one that we didn't visit but will go on our list. Hoping for Forest Hill but think ds would do ok at any one of the schools mentioned here.

OP posts:

SE13Mummy · 01/11/2014 23:29

Yes, SpringHeeledJack we did sort of meet - I think I was teaching my Y4s when you visited 'my' then school.

What did you go for in terms of secondary schools in the end?

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