Secondary schools North London

[stilllovingmysleep]

Hi all, we're looking to move from near Golders Green, more to the north e.g. High Barnet, Hadley, Whestone, Friern Barnet. We're thinking ahead though towards secondary schools in the wider North London (Barnet / Haringey) area and it all feels mind-boggling to me.

I would appreciate any suggestions in terms of:
--secondary schools that you would recommend and what they're like (e.g. Compton / Friern Barnet school / East Barnet school / Totteridge academy / Southgate / JCOSS and any others)
--secondary schools that you would AVOID
--and whether you would prioritise, at this stage (my son is year 2) a nice area e.g. High Barnet village rather than a good-school catchment area.

I'm concerned that we may make a choice based on school and not area, and feel miserable in an area we don't necessarily like...and schools do change a lot in 5 years. So what would you do? Selective schools would of course be another option as there are quite a few very good ones in North London (Latymer / Dame Alice Owen / QE Boys) but of course that's a risk as it may not work.

Has anyone heard about another Compton School ? Supposed to be opening a Free School in Barnet but difficult to find out where.
However if it's locate din N3 then I assume it will free up more places for the existing Compton which is always over subscribed and has a tiny catchment area
Any more information much appreciated

Never heard of that, and I'm pretty up to speed on Barnet schools!

There are some huge black spots in the Borough. Totteridge, Woodside Park and Mill Hill are very badly served. Around Frith Manor would be a great location, but that's wishful thinking.

I know the Compton head presented to parents at Frith Manor so maybe they are thinking of N12 NW7 as there is sure to be increasing demand due to the ever expanding Millbrook housing development.

Don't go near Finchley Catholic School if you have a boy and are (or are not) Catholic. It's not a 21st century school and it's very poorly led. I always hear good things about Archer, Compton and The Wren.

Thanks. I also hear good things about the Archer, Wren and Compton. I know the Archer have changed their admissions requirements to nominated feeder primaries and so N3 unlikely to get in. Wren look good but its a faith school whereas the Compton is a community comprehensive and gets very good results.

Since my last message Ive found out Compton have held information evenings at Manorside N3 and there will be more at St Marys and Dollis Junior and their website says they're looking for sites for a second school in N3/NW7. So should improve choice of secondaries in Finchley and Mill Hill but website says not opening till Sept 2018

Do you know anyone in Barnet? Wondering if you could accompany a friend of a friend on open evenings this Autumn?
Ashmole catchment about 0.7mile, Compton 0.6mile. FBS improving & has the advantage of being small. Wouldn't even consider TTA. If you're thinking High Barnet/east barnet, then Southgate school would be within catchment & is excellent.
5 years is a long time though - they're thinking if building another school by EBS I believe. And wren are creating a primary - if you wanted a church school, that might be a good way in...