East Hertfordshire state secondary schools

[MrsDThaskala]

Hello,

We are about to move to SG13, Sg11, sg12, sg14 area, in a village - trying to not be too obvious here- Sorry! My daughter is current year 5. Do you have any advise on schools around here. I've heard of Pressdales, and the Herts and Essex girls school, but I don't know about any co-ed schools. She's in a girls indy school at the moment but am open to state schools, but not a massive one as that's too much of a shock to the system. Can you shed any light?

Had a quick look. The JW technology aptitude test sounds interesting but I wonder what that's like?

Birchwood looks nice. Never heard of these schools so would be interested to hear other mumsnet'ers opinions.

Hi my son took the aptitude test and got a place. It is basically Non Verbal Reasoning and a Spatial Awareness test similar to those in CATS.

JW has a very mixed reputation locally - the feeling being best described as if you wanted to mess about and do nothing that would be very possible. I’m pleased to see it getting good reviews on here because some girls who had their hearts set in Presdales are going their from our school and are quite apprehensive. If at all possible I’d recommend a visit.

Birchwood is the biggest secondary in stortford (8 form intake). It offers places purely on distance if you live outside their priority area (stortford basically) and people who live in takley and little Canfield regularly get places so it's definitely a possibility. It was always seen as the least popular of the stortford schools due to exam results and back to back requires improvement ofsted inspections. They have however have a shed load of money thrown at it and has great facilities and the last inspection rates it good and is now first choice for many in stortford who don't want single sex education.

The Avanti school is an interesting proposition- it's going to be run with a Hindu ethos re mindfulness and well being. As 2022 is going to be its first intake you might have a decent chance.