Convent of Jesus and Mary in Willesden information

[crystal112]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of applying for high schools for my daughter to start next September. As I live in Cricklewood I've had my heart set on Hampstead High school (my older sister and brothers used to attend there in the early 90s) and the school is doing well (rated 2 by ofsted and GCSE results are good) but my daughter wants to attend Convent of Jesus and Mary in Willesden (well address says Willesden but it's actually based in Harlesden).

I had never considered it as an option but we went along to the open evening on Monday as I thought it was only fair to her we visit the school at least. I was quite impressed and they were last rated outstanding (1) by ofsted, are quite strict and really help/push the students to their full potential. My daughter wants to go there because her cousin just started, she has a friend who transferred there last year and also her best friend will be going next year as her sister is a current student. I'm just a bit worried about the area, I'm not racist as I'm Black British but I don't actually venture into Harlesden unless my mum wants to go shopping for certain Caribbean ingredients. My sisters (one is a teacher) don't recommend the school based only on the area but surely it can't be that bad? Initially the thought of sending her to a school there did terrify me due to what I've read in the papers and seen on the news but every area has their good and bad parts and points right.

We are still going to view Hampstead (which is a 10 min walk from me) and another school in Edgware as options. So any thoughts on Convent? Do your children or do you know any children who attend there? What do you think of the area?

Hi Crystal,

I have no first-hand knowledge, but this is a school I am interested in keeping an eye on for my DD2 in a couple of years (although we will probably also consider some independent schools), so bumping for you - despite seeing that you have found a new favourite school (Whitefield which you also started a thread about and which I know even less about).

Harlesden is (slowly) gentrifying from a fairly deprived starting point, and I agree that it is fair to give the school a chance on its own merit. For me the most important thing would be trying to make sure it is not uncool to do well / do your homework, as peer group attitudes would be crucial for the attitude and effort I would expect from my own DD(s). So in your shoes I would try to avoid friends dominating the choice, and compare the schools on the basis of stats for the relevant ability group and also your own + your DD's gut feel.

I had a look at the stats now, and to me it looks like high attainers do very well at GCSE (A- average) whilst low attainers sink completely. Good value added. Low absences.

www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=137994

In case it is of interest, Queen's Park Communitity School and Burlington Danes are two other schools I might consider when the time comes, although with a bit of skepticism as what I hear is mixed, and I have not checked recent results/reports. And perhaps St Marylebone, Greycoats or Holland Park, although DD probably would not get into these. (Capital City on the other hand, despite the beautiful building, we would skip).

Great if you let me know how you get on - good luck!

Hi NWgirls.

Thank you for your reply. Hampstead school in Cricklewood is actually my first choice, I'm just waiting until we attend the open evening to make my decision and submit the application. I agree with you on the matter of not allowing her friends to dominate her decision. My DD absolutely loved Whitefield and has actually gone off the idea of convent now. I have a feeling she will love Hampstead as that was also her original first choice until her best friend informed us she is going to convent with her sister. Their other close friend's mum didn't include convent due to the distance so they will all be split up anyway and in this day and age can remain in contact via phone. All the best with your DD when her time comes.

Hi NWgirls and Crystal,

Transfer can be a stressful time for all students and parents. I hope you don't mind me joining in but I work at the Convent (of course I'm biased - I love my school) but just wanted to clarify a few things. Our low attaining girls also do extremely well - many make more than expected progress and we are often recognised nationally for the value we add to all students. We have also been awarded the Inclusion Quality mark which recognises that we support and challenge all students and that all achieve. I'm glad you enjoyed our Open Evening and would welcome you to visit us during the school day - it's difficult to quantify the happiness and strong work ethic of our girls in data! As I said, of course I will advocate CJM but would love for you to come and see for yourself.

Hi DMK12,

Thank you soo much for your input especially as you actually work at the school, I really appreciate it.

You are welcome. As I said, please do come visit. If you call the office snd let them know a convenient time for you we can arrange a tour so you can see the school in action. Whatever school you choose or are seriously interested in, do try to see it during the school day, in 'real life', so you can rest assured it's the best choice for your daughter. ??

Thank you DMK12 I will call convent tomorrow to book a tour during the day, I already have booked a daytime tour for Whitefield school

Dear DMK12:

You state that "Our low attaining girls also do extremely well - many make more than expected progress and we are often recognised nationally for the value we add to all students"

This might be your feeling (and as a Convent employee perhaps you see it as your duty to make such claims) but I am afraid the facts are more sobering, and my view after another look at the data is that the performance is somewhere between mediocre and poor:

Of the 25 low attainers in your 2014 cohort, zero achieved 5 A-C and zero achieved A-C in maths and english. Furthermore, only 28% made expected progress in maths. (English was much better at 80%). The average grade of low attainers was E+ or 220.4 points. Please re-read your own comment above in light of these facts - can you spot the rose-tint?

FYI, Capital City, rated 4 by OFSTED, is well ahead of you on these metrics, and beats your OK value added for low attainers (1019.7) by a big margin (1044.7).

This does not mean that I will not consider your school for my DD2 (especially as I expect her to be at least a middle attainer in year 6). I also appreciate your welcoming attitude to parents + MN response.

Aww! This is my old school

It was great 35 years ago!! [not helping]

Harlesden'sGreat