Secondary school in Cambridge

[cc2018]

Hi there,
We moved from Australia not so long ago and are not very familiar with Cambridge schools. We are considering a good secondary school for my son starting September next year, preferably academically focused.
For state schools, some parents suggested Chesterton community college and some suggested Parkside community college. Both of them Ofsted ranked Outstanding. Anything more we can't tell. It would be very helpful to have your advice or suggestions on this topic. Thanks a lot!

A Good Schools Guide subscription (can get 3 months on iirc) can be really helpful to give you preliminary info about lots of schools in your chosen area.

Are you in the catchment area of those schools?

Ok. Should be earlier this time as I have a meeting at caits new school at 4.30

Sorry, wrong topic !

Should Have said as admission allocations have already been made you may not have much of a choice as schools may be full already. You will need to make a late application and put your name on waiting lists as I imagine that the schools will be fully allocated as outstanding rated schools are rarely undersubscribed

If your child is going into year 6 this September (so is currently 10 or will be by the end of August) you will need to apply for secondary school this autumn (I think the deadline is end of October). Most secondaries have open evenings in Sept/Oct so you can go and have a look around. The admissions criteria for each school should also be published on their websites - living within the catchment area is a big factor in whether you will get a place. Both schools mentioned have excellent reputations, Parkside is smaller (120 per year) whereas I think Chesterton is expanding.

Thanks!! Yes my son has just turn 10 and good to know the deadline for school application is the end of October. We are not in the catchment (either Chesterton or Parkside) at the moment, but we are thinking to move into one of the school catchment in the next month of two. A great advantage of renting I guess.

Yes both schools are ranked Outstanding. Probably there is really not much difference apart from the number of students? We do prefer academically focused school.

Thank you all again!

Both schools will offer tours if you contact them. There will also be open evenings in early October so you can take your son to have a look and have his input. Take advantage of both if you can.

Chesterton is currently rebuilding parts of the school but this should be finished by Sept 2019.

If both are outstanding, then both should be sufficiently academic!

Thank you so much! I'll book a visit to the school.
One parent told me today that Perse offer bursaries to some families too. I wonder if any parents have such experience?

And is it very hard to get into Perse through their bursary system? Thanks a lot!

Whilst it might be difficult to get a place at The Perse due to it being superselective the bursary system there is very generous. Around 10% of students have a bursary; around 25% of them on 100% bursary and around 50% on over 50% bursary. Also the fees are pretty much lower than all the other private schools in the area. They are also aiming to double that number by 2025.

There is increased demand for support due to hardship though.

Forgot to mention Chesterton is ranked ahead of Parkside in 2018 and 2017. Is this true? Does anyone know anything about Parkside's ranking history? I know it is the top in 2016.
We visited both schools recently but couldn't tell much difference except the size of the school.
Does anyone know if there is any difference between Parkside and Chesterton in terms of teaching quality (math, computing, literacy, music etc), in particular, for lower grades (say, Year 7, 8 and 9). Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

If you're looking outside the centre, my academic niece is at Comberton Village College and very happy.