N London (state) secondaries - again!

[mrsmayitstimetogo]

Looking for advice from people with kids at these N London secondaries at the moment - things change so fast, and there's so much rumour/herding... We're going visiting, but it's hard to know what to ask/look for in a short time.

City of London Academy - Highgate Hill. Have all the Mount Carmel girls left, and it's just got a Yr 7 at the moment? Does anyone have a child there? What are COL Academies like?

Central Foundation (we're possibly too far, but it's expanding this year)

Marylebone Boys

Mary Magdalene Academy

Any views on these, or others in the general area (Camden/ Islington/ Westminster) that you think are really good, or should be avoided?

If you have a musician, particularly one who likes jazz, then Burghley has AMAZING standards. There's one incredibly talented and dynamic teacher who plays sax and is just wonderful with the kids. The Burghley jazz band/big band (configuration changes from year to year) is always one of the star turns at the La Swap schools' joint concerts. The relationships between students and staff always seem v warm and genuine.

Hi yes the girls from the previous school are stll there, I 've seen the school yesterday.

Provisional progress scores for 2017 now published by the DfE.. AB v good score of +0.24 www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/100053

I have a child at Central Foundation Boys. It’s so strange that people are condemning it on the basis of pollution levels. I agree, as the mother of an asthmatic child, London itself is a massive concern but I’ve never heard this with reference to City Boys which is far more congested and rarely in relation to Marleybone or Westminster.
I have a boy here in year 8 and whilst parents are always be the best advocate of their school choices, I implore you to visit the classrooms and listen to the head who is utterly compelling. I could only have dreamt of such passion and total dedication from my teachers and each and very one of them is as such. I totally love the traditional building but it is being hugely modernised over the next academic year. There is also a huge regeneration project over the next few years aimed at significantly reducing congestion around the roundabout. If your priority is results, Central wipes the floor with every other Islington comprehensive, and indeed with most of the country.
Sorry to sound evangelical but it was a big decision to choose the school over City Boys and never a day goes by that I’m not grateful that I did. I have a second son beginning there next September.
Best of luck with the process which I have found utterly exhausting!

I forgot to add that it’s worth noting the double catchment area, due to being one sex, aside from the extra intake for this year.

any earlier and 2019 intake want to contribute to the thread. Still so confused about where to go in Camden! Town between ABS, WES, UCL, RH, H - all of them! ( i know I cant possibly be in catchment for all....)

Hi JC4, I’ll pop back, not that I’ve anything to add, and no boys, but I’m always interested in what other locals have to say.

Yes, I would like to hear how early days have been. There was someone last year into AB who had very similar ideas to me about school vibes. Last I heard she/he had been given 6th choice and was appealing. Just wondered how it panned out..

Avoid ColaI, there are so many issues with the school, including them, contacting parents to inform them of detentions when the child was absent. Police attend on a regular basis. Staff Do bully some of the students (yes reported). Not as inclusive as you would think considering the school they share the site with unless of course there is an imminent inspection. Parents regularly transfer their children out. Lunchtimes can be an issue, staff levels are very low and lots of behaviour including small fights have been ignored. Lots of complaints from the other school about the behaviour of students and attitudes from staff. I could go on

Central not as grim as it's made out on here. And lol at the shirts dirty by lunchtime. They aren't. Behaviour is a key positive in the school, the disruptive child is removed immediately rather than continuing to disturb others. Over the academic time, staff get to know the students very well as the teachers move years with them, unless there is internal movement/promotions etc. Smaller class sizes than other schools within the borough which is a bonus.

I’m going through the Islington schools now and can see that although we are south of the borough, very close to city of London, if I’m going by previous years distance cut off... the only two schools my daughter would get into are the arts and media one and Holloway. Anyone have experience of these please?

I know of one child who has been taken out of Holloway, but another that moved from a local girls school to it.

You don’t have to apply to Islington schools, are there any schools in another borough you might be eligible for?