London secondary's

[ilkleymoorbartat]

If you live in "inner London" (talking up to zone 3), do you worry about what secondary school your kid is going to go to and gangs etc. What is your experience of these schools?

Did it make you want to leave London?

My kids are only in early primary school but this is already stressing me out.

Is it any different in other big cities outside London?

We did worry about it and moved to outer London near very leafy comprehensives. But our son has mild SEN, is academically weak and will almost certainly be placed into lower sets. I am sure though that most of his friends will do ok at the inner London comp that would have been the alternative near our old house, but they do not have the same issues as him.
Of course we don't know how he will do at the comp near our new house but we wanted to give him the best environment possible to thrive.

Quite a few of the families we have met over the years at primary moved out of London for secondary. But quite a few are also staying.

Hello!

I live in Hertfordshire and looking at Independent schools for our son. Can anyone help with what the entrance exams were like-and the interview process? Which papers did you study for and what kind of questions they may ask? Any tips are greatfully appreciated.

Yes. Didn't think about schools when we moved here (pre kids). There are plenty of great schools in London but our local one is.. not one of them. Feel worried that a lot of peoples lives will be made tougher by a recession and things like crime/gangs will increase

It's really hard to generalise.

Have a look at your local secondary schools, what are the Ofsted ratings likes? What are the secondary aged kids you see around like?
I live in an area where there has been quite a lot of gangs but actually we have a lot of good and a couple of outstanding secondaries. The ones I looked round seemed to have a really nice bunch of kids and very positive creative atmosphere. Obviously this isn't the whole story, but friends' children seem happy, and actually the problems I've heard of tend to be more typical teen ones - social media, eating disorders, than gangs.

Also in many ways London is a great city for a teen to grow up in.

Sorry!! Realised I posted in the wrong chat.

I hope you get some good advice and good luck.

I’m in north London & very central. The catchment area for secondary schools is quite big. We get to put 6 schools down on the list & all 6 of mine were outstanding. I know that we’re very lucky, my preferences were mainly linked with SEN provision & wanting a casual approach to uniform or no uniform, I’d have really been happy with any of the schools I put down.

I went to an inner city east london comp, graduated 2005.

I did v well academically but would I want my son going there? No, no, no.

Mine are three and I'm already worrying about it!

It definitely stresses me out but mainly because I have boys. I am not sure why thats the case, but I feel a lot more concerned and boy school dont seem to perform as well as girl ones in London. I went to a local London comp as did my sister and academically we did really really well but as @Chollok mentioned it, I wouldnt want my boys to go through the same. Not sure what we'll be doing about it now - currently both DCs are in primary school and am very concerned that where we live in SELondon there arent many good secondaries. We may move but am not ready for suburbia - so yep am stressed

Depends where you are

Secondary in zone 2 very sought after and people move into tiny catchment with high house prices to get in

But a bit further out and flip side with people moving to avoid but is changing a bit recently

I am in zone 3 and our two local state secondaries are outstanding, you need to remember that you can apply to grammar schools and other schools who do banding assessments that are not private, I think London has alot of options for kids, you need to start your research now and look at option

@MrsDThaskala

Hello!

I live in Hertfordshire and looking at Independent schools for our son. Can anyone help with what the entrance exams were like-and the interview process? Which papers did you study for and what kind of questions they may ask? Any tips are greatfully appreciated.

This is prob not the thread for you. There are loads of helpful threads on this. Search for the school You like to see opinions

Thanks for replying everyone. Our local secondary is rated good, but it's massive and the building is just a bit grim.

Out of interest why do you think being a teenager in London is good? I grew up in London but was quite sheltered and don't have much to compare it to. My other half grew up In A northern city and seemed to have a much more idyllic and free upbringing.

I think it was me who said that. Obviously in normal times rather than at present, you have access to such an amazing amount is things, gigs, theatre, galleries, whatever you're into. Also you have great public transport and the ability to get around the city freely and easily hang out with your friends. A big school means there are lots of different types of people so more chance of finding your tribe. I've never lived in the country, but friends who have talk about having to be ferried by their parents and having long commutes to get to school or see their friends. Personally I think the country is great with younger kids but not as good for teenagers. I'm sure there will be loads of people who disagree though, and obviously nothing is as black and white.

No, I don't worry about them in school

And they're fine.

It's outside school that worries me more about encountering or joining gangs

I grew up rurally (but went to boarding school in a town) and seeing teen dc in London makes me really boggle at opportunities he has right here. It’s been a good thing. His friends are nice no problem, good interests etc

And more likely to meet a family that bought a house at extortionate price to get in school than a gang.

However London is very varied, so that’s not to dismiss other people’s experiences

Lots depends on the school - we live in Zone 2. I think we were in the catchment for 8 secondaries. They were all incredibly different, but of the 8, I was really happy about 3, vaguely okay with another 3 and no-way about the final 2. One of those 2 was because of gang issues/ bullying, etc. The other because it was absurdly strict! The comp they ended up at was fab. That had a hugely mixed intake and I honestly can't imagine anyone bought a house close by to get in. They had zero tolerance in terms of bullying and put a huge emphasis on being kind and part of the community. I'd bet there were kids there in gangs, but no sign of it in the school. My two did really well there and made lovely friends. A lot of London schools are brilliant, but definitely do your research!

Just want to second what Stokey said. London is fab for families, despite challenges (expense, space, noise, air quality . . ). If a child has engaged supportive family then the gang threat is grossly overrated . . . it's the neglected, disengaged or abused kids who are at risk. Vast majority of state schools and their teachers are fantastic, as are vast majority of their intake . . . Ethnic diversity a huge plus.
I grew up in depths of countryside and, yes, for teenagers the isolation, long school commute and utter dependence on parents as chauffeur is grim, and I would say damaging. You waste your college years hopelessly trying to catch up on social life . . . Not to mention work experience.

Interesting what you say about the gang thing. Knives and gangs are my biggest worry. Not necessarily that they'd join them, but more that they have to worry about it.

For those with older children in London does the ever present noise about knife crime etc affect how your children live day to day?

Would this be the same issue in other large-ish cities?

The countryside isn't an option for us, but another city could be.

For those with older children in London does the ever present noise about knife crime etc affect how your children live day to day?

Not at all. No more than it does me. He sees friends, hangs out in gentrified area with them or their houses.

I think it might vary though by area

I think there's the intra-gangs crime (which doesn't really impact on other young people) and the gang crime which revolves around the theft of valuable 'street value' items (think latest phones, trainers and the like) from other young people.

It's really about being reasonably street-smart, not flaunting expensive items around, and just keeping your head down.

I am in this position with no chance of moving although all the secondary’s say good or outstanding they’re far from it In reality I’m terrified my secondary school experience was hellish (same area) and I’m not looking forward to my sons he’s only in year 2 so I’m hoping there’s time for the local schools to improve.

What area are you in @Hm2020 ?

I wonder if other cities are similar? Is it just a big city issue, or do other cities avoid this problem?