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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Viewing a school tonight

107 replies

Gileswithachainsaw · 27/09/2017 12:35

What do i look out for so I don't fall for any nonsense.

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Toomanycats99 · 28/09/2017 20:22

We went to see a school last week.the y8 along is round told us they had cctv outside so they were safe from mugging. The teacher behind us looking slightly horrified said but we have never had a mugging. I piped up that’s because you have cctv!!

In all fairness the town centre of the borough this school is in is fairly rough but the school is at the very edge in a nice green residential area and has a good reputation. The Mugging risk would not cross my mind!

CottonSock · 28/09/2017 20:26

Is it usual to actually have a choice at secondary? Or is this private?

Thingsiseeinmybathroom · 28/09/2017 20:29

Is it usual to actually have a choice at secondary? Or is this private?

In our borough you get 3 choices, 1st, 2nd, 3rd..
As it happened my DD was not offered one of hers, but the local academy which is terrible, but we are in the catchment for.
We were preparing for appeal when her choice of school called offering her a place.

CottonSock · 28/09/2017 20:33

I guess you get a c hoice where i live in the application form, but the actual choice is limited

ineedamoreadultieradult · 28/09/2017 20:34

You don't get a choice you get to express a preference. In our council it's in order or preference 1 to 3. But if your preference is totally atbifds with the selection criteria then you are wasting your time.

Toomanycats99 · 28/09/2017 20:36

@CottonSock

We are quite lucky where we live. We have 11+ so we have one grammar and one with a Grammar stream we can apply to (hopefully!)

I then have 4 non grammars I can be fairly certain of getting into. Plus a new one opening this coming year that would be a possibility. All the non grammar have above average a-c grades at gcse.

All of the non grammars have been quite different and would suit my dd to varying degrees. I have just been thinking this week that actually I am quite fortunate in this respect, I’m not sure how I would feel if I literally had one local option and I felt it was not the right fit for my daughter regardless of how well it performed.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 28/09/2017 20:43

We can list up to 6 bit I didn't have 6 to list so I've filled up the gaps with ones I have no chance with but have nothing to lose. Have obviously listed the banker school

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CottonSock · 29/09/2017 08:06

We live in a city and the catchments for the good schools are tiny. Our local comprehensive has awful results, but others are worse..one of them was on the tv programme educating....... (insert city). I need to win the lottery to move near a good school. I guess I assumed it was like this everywhere

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 29/09/2017 08:16

Yeah it's bizarre isn't it i mean off the top of my head I cab think of so many nearby schools both secondary and primary it seems ridiculous to think you would have any problems getting onto a decent one.

Then when you realise the catchment is small and it's a faith school or a grammar school and your catchment school takes longer to get to than ones further away it all just seems so bonkers...

I just wish they could all be good schools then it wouldn't matter

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claraschu · 29/09/2017 08:23

I think that it is a mistake to be too influenced by the child who shows you around. I have been shown around by several kids who didn't have much to say and didn't have a quirky sense of humour, which put me off the school a bit, but that isn't really fair.

I know that if I got a lively, slightly irreverent, guide, with lots of opinions and a friendly attitude, I would be very impressed with the school, but actually I should just be impressed with the child and his/her family.

TansyVioletta · 29/09/2017 10:28

That's true claraschu. Our next door neighbour said they'd be happy to send their baby to the local primary as our kids went there and they are nice. I thought "well thanks, but some of the kids there are horrible!"

ChocolateWombat · 29/09/2017 12:53

I would ask a senior teacher about the proportion of low, middle and high achievers and which students they were adding most value to.

I would ask about GCSE options and the numbers which are offered 2 languages or triple science and if there are any other things which are only available to certai X true to and which ones.

If my child getting in is questionable, I would ask for historic info about kids who fit my DC profile in terms of distance etc.

I'd like to know the % going into A Levels and from 6th form into uni and % going onto RG uni.

I might ask about the % playing an instrument or the numbers of Yr7 in a sports team or music group, or the numbers taking DofE at each stage.

If they couldn't tel me any of that stuff (especially the first Q) off the top of their heads, I would want them to find someone who knew or take my details so they could get back to me with answers.

Realise not everyone will be interested in this stuff, but I'm more interested in this than science experiments which are being shown and happen once a year.

ReinettePompadour · 29/09/2017 17:18

I went last night to DDs current high school but for DS to view. I was very disappointed in how it looks after 12 months with a new head. The school looks sparkly new after thousands spent on refurbishments but the the text books are very old and desperately need to be replaced plus nowhere near enough computers to teach a class of 20 let alone 35 really has made me cross.

They had new water coolers in every corridor that my DD tells me weren't there this week and have been removed today after the open evening.

The comfy chairs we sat on last night in the hall have all gone today.

It looked ok but the staff didn't really know much about the community or results for high mid and low achievers. They just all said the same words so clearly staged. Sad

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 29/09/2017 17:37

That's so shit :(

Why have water coolers and not put them out

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TansyVioletta · 29/09/2017 17:39

Maybe they hired them for the evening. Dd takes a bottle of water to school so wouldn't need a water cooler.

CamperVamp · 29/09/2017 18:06

"If my child getting in is questionable, I would ask for historic info about kids who fit my DC profile in terms of distance etc." Teachers are not part of the admissions process, and often don't actually fully understand it. Their job is to teach the kids in front of them, not worry about how they did or didn't get there.

Bekabeech · 29/09/2017 18:26

I’ve heard a lot of wrong information from teachers even deputy heads and heads of year. Those kind of statistics are often in a prospectus or other booklet. Heads often do know but can sometimes be misleading.

ChocolateWombat · 29/09/2017 21:29

But at most open evenings, there will be a range of people available who can answer questions.
A teacher might not know about admissions, but there will usually be someone there from the admin section who does know that stuff - because it's a key area people want to know about. That admin person will usually answer about school transport and other practical issues too, such as free school meals or maybe uniform.
It's fine if every single person at the open evening can't answer every question....as long as they can direct you to someone who can, or are able to put you in touch with someone who will later answer the question.
Open evenings/mornings are all about information provision, not just seeing the shiny water coolers.

Go with lots of questions. If you don't ask, the chances are you wont find out and only hear the glossy spiel.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 06/10/2017 12:06

Well sevond viewing now completed not sure how I feel about this place either. Very mixed feelings of gone in with an open mind but secretly hoping I'd see something that would stop me worrying about dd going there but I think I'm more worried than ever now..

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ToffeeCaramel · 06/10/2017 12:25

You might get the grammar. What percentage get the grammar in your area and is your dd at that level?

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 06/10/2017 12:36

I don't know the percentages of my area. I honestly don't know if she is at the tight level. One minute she's off and knows exactly what she's doing and the next im.surprised she even knows what day it is.

I honestly couldn't call it....

I've got one more school to see and That's the one I really want

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ReinettePompadour · 07/10/2017 22:56

I've been to 3 this week and got another 3 to see. My ds likes 1 so far but I think a different one will suit him better. I'm hoping one of the others will find us agreeing.

All the staff have been very cagey at all the schools. Everyone has said the results are irrelevant this year because of the new exams and theyre not prepared to state either way how the school is doing. I managed to get a few teachers to admit they wouldn't send their children to the school they work at so thats given me more of a reason to not consider those schools.

I wish all schools provided the same level of teaching and support then this wouldn't be such a problem. Confused

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 08/10/2017 09:39

I know. Dp works nearby the catchment school he's been advised by a teacher not to send dd there.

I was not impressed at the open evening either. Facilities looked fab but what's the use if the rest sucks.

I'm honestly heartbroken she will be going there and that there's fuck all I can do about it besides waiting on a list with the other hundreds of parents trying to avoid the same school...

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DizzyDandelion · 08/10/2017 17:01

Hope teacher does not work there...
If teacher does Not work there maybe take what they say with pinch of salt as well...

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 08/10/2017 17:17

No they don't work there but it's hard to remain positive when everyone at school is telling dd how bad it is

And it's being used as an example of where not to go by parents :(

I really wanted to like it so at least I could relax about our waiting list time

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