Hi there JP,
I have a child who started at Netherhall in September 2015. My advice would be to look in to it very carefully.
The school received two `requires improvement' Oftsted reports and the head was suspended, we understand, due to financial mismanagement in August 2015.
A leadership team has been drafted in from the `outstanding' rated Bottisham Village College to drive the necessary improvements at the school and there is no doubt they are competent and committed to getting the school back on track.
The teaching staff seem to be committed and on a day to day basis, everything is operational.
Nevertheless, there seems to be management, organisational and communications issues at Netherhall.
Transition to the school was relatively well managed for the children. However, there have been big gaps in communication about some very basic things. Netherhall has failed to produce any form of welcome pack for parents of newcomers, the information on the website is scant and it is difficult to pin down who is responsible for what.
Half way in to the first term, there were unexplained movements of pupils in to new classes, causing considerable disruption.
Where the communications surrounding the outcome of the suspended head are concerned, due to the legalities, little has been said. Nevertheless, the school has missed an opportunity to give the parent body a sense of when the situation might be resolved and what the final outcomes may be. We all feel in the dark.
A school, no doubt with its heart in the right place and good potential but that requires a huge shake-up and some visionary, permanent leadership to boot.
Good luck with your decision!