Bucks Secondary Schools

[Jane1727]

Hi,

We have recently moved to Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury. The Grammar school system is all new to me (not sure I really agree with selective education).
I am going to look round all secondary schools in the local area and have read the Ofsted reports, although realise this is one persons opinion of one day.
Can anyone share any views, positives, negatives of schools in the area?

Many thanks

Jo

I have a friend in Stoke Mandeville and their catchment secondary is John Colet in Wendover. This is one of the better regarded secondary moderns in the county. There are also the three grammar schools in Aylesbury itself. Aylesbury Boys and Girls are single sex. Henry Flloyd mixed and seems to be on the up at the moment. If you are church goers you may be able to get a place at Waddesdon which is the best Secondary Modern/Upper in the county, results wise. I'm afraid I don't know anything about the other Uppers in Aylesbury.

All 3 Grammar schools have good reputations The High (girls) The Grammar (boys) and The Floyd (mixed). All the secondary moderns are mixed. Mandeville school does not have a great reputation, I think the Colet is better. I don't know much about the new school at Berryfields. Waddesdon has a very good reputation but as you are out of catchment you will struggle to get in as it is always oversubscribed.

Thanks for the advice. I am not keen on single sex schools. I will take a look at the mixed grammar school and also the local schools.

I forgot The Grange, a secondary modern, as far as I know that's OK.

All the secondary modern schools in Aylesbury have had constant problems. They are yo yos. Ofsted do not just rock up for one day. They have reams and reams of progress and attainment data before they arrive. They have the schools assessment of its performance. They know what they are looking for. You are very out of date with your assumptions. Look at the progress 8 scores for the grammar and secondary modern schools if you want a more informed piece of data. You will not be disappointed by the grammar schools and you might be suprised how good they are.

The secondary modern schools have not always been we led. They improve and then they go backwards again. The Sir Henry Floyd very much fills up with children from MK. Not enough get the pass mark in the catchment area. It’s never been held in quite the same esteem as the other two Grammars and is often not the first choice for the brightest children. (1 child out of 28 11 plus passes went there in DDs year). You would be mad not to look at the appropriate single sex grammar. Most people choose single sex.

If you are John Colet catchment, you will find it pretty good. I think it has a new Head. Ofsted found a few things wrong a few years ago, but this is not a school to not put things right quickly. I know loads of children there and who went there, and they have done very well. It has a 6th form and very engaged parents. It’s way better than many comprehensives. It is rarely a huge disappointment when children go to the Colet rather than a grammar.

You will need to find God if you live in Stoke Mandeville and want Waddesdon. It has a minuscule catchment area and fills up from the God Squad. That’s why it’s so successful. It’s semi selective.

Many of the grammar Ofsted reports might be a bit dated. However I think only the Floyd has ever been Good. The others are outstanding and will almost certainly remain so.

Do you want a place for September? You cannot just choose. The places have been allocated. You need to talk to Bucks CC Admissions team about spaces in year groups. If any. Also who will test your children? Bucks or the school. You need to understand the procedure for entry. The Bucks 11 plus is taken in September of Y6 for the following September’s Y7. If you want another year, you have to be tested after application if there are spaces. What year group are you looking for? Bucks might have details of spaces on their web site. The most sought after schools might be full.