Would love real opinions on Burntwood, Southfields or St John Bosco please

[Nessie19]

Hi there. We are new to the area and looking to find a school for DD in year 8. Wandsworth advise space available at St John Bosco, Burntwood, and Southfields. DD is quiet and introverted and I wonder if you have kids at any of these schools and can give comment as to the behavioural and teaching standards at these schools and also how wonderful the leadership might be? With thanks!!

Going into year 8. My daughter is going into yr8 at Burntwood. There is a real mixture of girls in the school- not unsurprising given there's 300+ of them. However don't let the size put you off. They mix with half their school year - one half does Spanish the other French. So really only 350 or so. Mines not particularly loud, and she's totally blossomed this year. They have done very well by her. She has found her tribe - friends which she (and I) are happy with. All classes have quiet and loud. They are hot on discipline so the loud ones don't get away with it for long. So many extra activities and opportunities for them. She's happy there. I don't know much about Southfields / St J B as it's in the wrong direction for me.

Leadership is great at Burntwood - don't know results for this year - but has done well in previous years. Willing to try new strategies and innovate.

Hi Gabster. Thanks so much for the insight. It’s really helpful. My dd was hoping for coed but honestly the girls school she has been at has suited her well in terms of the lovely wide social pool. She too found her tribe and that counts for soooooo much at school doesn’t it?

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/compare-schools?for=secondary

That’s where you can compare teaching and intake.

JoJo thank you! I hadn’t found this before and it was so clear in terms of the results of the schools and where I might want to steer clear of.

John Bosco is a relatively new school so there aren’t many years of results to look at. The headteacher is lovely and has had a really good impact on the school since he took over a couple of years ago. The school building is brand new and purpose built, and there’s a lovely atmosphere. It’s a Catholic school and it recently received an outstanding judgement in it’s Section 48 RE inspection. Definitely worth a look.

Thanks Pud2. That’s great to hear

Southfields is a tough call for an introverted child.

The school site at Burntwood is also brand new - last one to have the schools funding. School site has won architectural awards. Buildings are easy to get around - plenty of extra circular activities as well.

Thanks Gabster and TheWitchCirce. Really helpful info. I can’t wait for the schools to reopen so we can check them out. I think I’m leaning towards Burntwood unless something closer to home pops up with an available space.

Gabster is that 300 girls in the year level?

Burntwood is a massive school. St John Bosco only has 60 per year group so I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone knows everyone. I’d also say that while their attainment is pretty low, their progress score is actually average so it’s possible to learn there too. Is your daughter quite high, average or lower ability?

Yes it is big - but it doesn't feel it - the 300 are split in half - you only ever know your half until Yr9 for sure. They give priority in lunch for the yr7/8's. The buildings are compact so it's not daunting and very well laid out as it's all brand new and architecturally designed. Only full school assemblies do you feel the size of it. The kids are well looked after and the scale means there are plenty of opportunities for all the girls. There's everything from chamber choir and photography club to scuba diving lessons! It's done so much more for my daughter in a year than primary did in years!

Which area are you in - Burntwood cream off a selection of girls from a further distance out so many come from quite a distance away so there are a good few high achievers - which has pushed my daughter to better herself this year. I have found some other girls starting yr8 there this morning local to me in Balham.

We will be in Clapham Junction. Moving in on September 2nd - have arrived from o/s but currently tripping around the UK so don’t have a good feel for distance...just google maps. DD is average but moving here means she’s skipping half of year 7 to dry with her age group. The curve may be steep for her but she’s conscientious so should be ok. JoJo do you know if John Burns has an even boy/girl ratio? Thanks ladies!

Nessie, I’m only going by official stats and it doesn’t say that for John Burns. Interestingly, though, looking at their exam results last year, boys achieved much higher than girls (23% vs 0% at higher standard).

Lol... John Bosco not Burns right? I'm getting confused with my primary and secondary. Jojo thanks for the info.

I have read info in the past that says in the younger secondary years girls will do better academically in an all girls environment. Boys will do better in co-ed. I think it evens out as they get older. Maybe JB is following that trend.

Gabster I was wondering are those extra curricular activities only available to "most able" students? I had a look on the website and could only find extra curricular info under the "most able" heading.

There is John Burns Primary in Clapham Junction I thought that ,a year your were thinking about another child.

John Bosco seems to have more boys than girls (Y11 last year was 39 boys and 23 girls). They also have amazing progress scores for low prior attainers and do well for middle attainers.

Burntwood is clearly the most desirable school generally speaking, but I wouldn't discount John Bosco just yet. Their GCSEs don't impress but they're probably skewed by the SEN unit within the school. And if your daughter is a middle attainer, statistically, there wouldn't be much of a difference between her GCSE outcomes in Burntwood or St JB. F I were you, I'd have a good look round as going to a tiny school might just be good for her personality.

Good points JoJo. I”ll definitely check things out come September and take her with me.

You may already know this , but you don’t have to apply just to schools in Wandsworth as your Borough . Might be worth looking at Westminster / Lambeth if you want a wider choice.

Is there a reason you are discounting Bolingbroke academy or do they not have space?

Hi hooplahoop. Do you have my suggestions for great schools in those areas that I might look at. I had just focussed nearby to save overwhelm and also to try and get my primary/secondary girls somewhere close to one another

Stir crazy I have applied for Bolingbroke but the school advises no space available. I have now applied for Harris, Bolingbroke, Ashcroft, Burntwood and John Bosco. Initial response from council is that the final 2 are the ones with space. Southfields also have space but I’m not sure that’s the spot to send her.

If you’re in Clapham Junction, that opens you up to other schools too (though I know you said you’re focusing on Wandsworth). You’re a short train ride to Wimbledon so you could try Ricard’s Lodge or The Ursuline - both good schools for girls. Definitely worth contacting Merton too I would think. Or there’s Holy Cross in New Malden which comes under Kingston. Also very accessible from Clapham J. All really good schools.