Help me Choose: Highgate Wood School or Greig Academy, Harringay

[deliciouslytipsy]

A friend with poor English has asked me to help her decide between two secondary schools for her daughter. She has no idea about either of them! I have looked online but find it hard to make a real informed helpful input.

She is in Y6 at a harringay primary school has been offered places at both Highgate Wood and Greig Academy.

She is a bright child who loves school (wants to go in on weekends and holidays) and is in the top sets for literacy and maths. She wants to go to university. Teachers love her. She is not sporty and doesn't play an instrument.

Ofsted reports are from 2011 and opaque. Any input or help much appreciated!

Highgate Wood, without a doubt.

Can I ask how she has an offer of a place from both schools? Does she have a statement of SEN?

I had a child at Highgate Wood although she has left now. I really rate the headteacher. HW is a diverse school with an increasing contingent of (white) middle class kids from Crouch End. It is a friendly school, also big and a bit disorganised. Greig City is a church school (if that matters) and takes more minority ethnic kids, and possibly fewer middle class kids. I have heard good things about it but only know one family with kids there. Has she visited? I wouldn't worry about the non-sporty/music bit but would rather go on which the parent and child prefers in a visit (even though late, visits probably can be arranged). Child sounds as if she would do well at either.

www.greigcityacademy.co.uk/39/latest-news/article/187/praise-from-a-professor

My Step Kids went to Highgate Wood - had a great time. Head very good and teachers interested. I've been on several occasions and seemed a really nice school.

I'm a little confused as to how she's had 2 offers. Highgate Wood is oversubscribed and Greig Academy is not. She needs to take her daughter round both schools to have a look and see how she feels. If she is an EAL parent then she might prefer the feel of one of the schools over the other. No school is perfect - it depends on the child.

I would pick Highgate Wood.