Secondary School Applications

[Itsear]

So the deadline for secondary school applications is 31st October. Anyone else torn over what to put for their first choice? Our catchment school is ‘requires improvement’ but life would be so much easier if DC went there (walking distance, friends going). I feel obliged to apply for the outstanding school but it would mean driving there and back and making new friends. I think DC would get into either as the outstanding school is rural and so there isn’t a massive population trying to get in.

have you been to look round both? its important to get a feel for both schools, and not just look at the ofstead.

Yes, we changed priorities. We have looked twice, compared the teachers’ approach to education, ranks, reports, exam results, behavior of students, facilities and extra curriculum. Nevertheless, we do not put our nearest school into the list. We have discovered - there are plenty of places through the year in it.

itsear. If your nearest school "requires improvement" have you read and dissected the report? What are the problem areas? Are there many problem areas? Does it make you feel uneasy?

If you are likely to get the outstanding school then why not put that first? It's only a few years driving them back and forth. The quality of education your child gets will affect their whole life, their academic opportunities, college and university options and the career they may want. An outstanding school may offer:

more sport and arts
more variety of GCSE options (children being offered more than the basic 8)
better out of school clubs
better pastoral care
more involved parents
better finances
better trips and events

There are plenty of new children in year 7, your child will make friends easily.

Aim high.

Check when the outstanding school was last inspected. Outstanding schools are generally left alone. Some haven't been inspected in 5, even10 years!