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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Ashmole Academy and Highlands school (Southgate)

34 replies

goteam · 20/05/2021 08:01

Considering a move to Southgate / Winchmore Hill and looking into secondaries. Noth of these schools look great. Ashmole gets fantastic results but I note most student destinations are STEM so wondering if the school supports more artistic, musical, humanities loving kids. Hadn't heard of Highlands until we began looking into houses but this also looks pretty decent but in Winchmore Hill, adjacent to Southgate. We like both areas but need to work out which school we want to be nearer.

OP posts:
Original poster
goteam · 20/05/2021 08:05

I will add that we have a few area in the mix of potential moves but Southgate / Winchmore Hill seems to tick a lot of boxes (good schools, good transport, house for circa £950k, leisure centres and kids activities, decent shops and cafes)

OP posts:
KaptainKaveman · 20/05/2021 08:05

If you are moving to that area your dc will be in the catchment for Latymer. Would you consider that ?

KaptainKaveman · 20/05/2021 08:06

For that budget OP you could aim for Whetstone and be in catchment for a lot more schools! plus the Northern line and other stuff.

Original poster
goteam · 20/05/2021 08:32

Thanks @KaptainKaveman wevactually need the piccadilly line more and the mainline rail will be more useful to us than the northern line. We do have a few links to the area (one of the kids hobbies and a few of our friends) so we are kind of zoning in on areas where there is already a link.

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Original poster
goteam · 20/05/2021 08:34

Also I think we would prefer a high achieving comp over a grammar, though wouldn't rule it out. Kids only years 4 and 2 right now.

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Swimmum1206 · 20/05/2021 11:09

Have you looked at Southgate School? I went there many years ago, but from feedback I hear when I go back to the area, it is definitely a sought after school these days.

Ichangedmynameonce · 20/05/2021 11:12

Ashmole has a tiny catchment. We live a fair bit under a mile away and wouldn't get in.

A small no each year get in on musical aptitude, so it is something they value. Ashmole is quite marmite- it would not have been right for my son, but my daughter would have loved it.

Original poster
goteam · 20/05/2021 11:54

Thanks @Swimmum1206 I will look into southgate school

How tiny is the catchment @Ichangedmynameonce ? I think our local school where we currently are is about 0.5 m but we have to move so may as well try and find somewhere in the catchment of one of the schools mentioned to be on the safe side.

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Soma · 20/05/2021 12:06

@goteam, out of the two I think Ashmole has a better local reputation and would certainly choose it over Southgate.

Original poster
goteam · 20/05/2021 21:10

Thanks all. looks like we should look to move near Ashmole

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sammyvine · 21/05/2021 17:55

Is Ashmole diverse?

Original poster
goteam · 23/05/2021 18:27

@sammyvine there is data on the government education website about demographics of schools. I imagine it is but haven't checked myself as I take London state schools being diverse as a given.

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sunshine7981 · 24/05/2021 17:51

Ashmole does much better academically than highlands. Lots of local families who used to opt for highlands are also choosing the new wren academy in Enfield so its intake will change over time. Wren Enfield is run by same team as the highly successful wren Finchley school. If I was choosing a local comprehensive ashmole would be my choice but I would also look at wren Enfield (church school but they do also have community places).

Original poster
goteam · 24/05/2021 18:48

I didnt know there was a Wren Enfield. Just had a Google and looked like it is in Edmonton so not anywhere we are thinking of moving to. Interesting that it is changing the intake of Ashmole though. I have heard that Ashmole is quite strict and while my kids are academic I'm not sure they do well.in a highly pressured or strict environment.

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sunshine7981 · 24/05/2021 19:42

The Edmonton site is temporary- they are moving to a site near Enfield chase hospital next year - easily commutable by bus from Winchmore hill or Southgate

Original poster
goteam · 24/05/2021 19:49

Thanks @sunshine7981 good to know. There is Winchmore School too although GCSE results aren't great.

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sunshine7981 · 24/05/2021 19:52

I would avoid Winchmore - I know people with children at both ashmole and wren and they are all happy and don't describe the schools as being overly strict

Original poster
goteam · 24/05/2021 19:58

That's good to know. I like the look of Ashmole too. I dont know much about Wren Enfield but went on a drive to Wren Finchley and found the area a bit too bleak to want to live nearby. We need a bit of cafe culture. I wfh and tend to work in cafes some of the time (when open!) Southgate / Winchmore Hill seems to fit the bill we just need to work out which school we want to be near (before tackling the mammoth task of in year primary admissions...)

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Mitchellernie · 27/05/2021 16:30

@sunshine7981

The Edmonton site is temporary- they are moving to a site near Enfield chase hospital next year - easily commutable by bus from Winchmore hill or Southgate
But if you live in Winchmore Hill N21 or Southgate N14 and not on the doorstep of the new Wren in EN2 I think you will need church attendance to get a place there. It looks set to be very popular from what I've seen.
sammyvine · 27/05/2021 18:10

[quote goteam]@sammyvine there is data on the government education website about demographics of schools. I imagine it is but haven't checked myself as I take London state schools being diverse as a given.[/quote]
Where do you go on the website to find out how diverse schools are?

I actually disagree, some London schools are not diverse.
For example Fortismere in Muswell Hill and The Archer Academy in East Finchley are mostly white.

Original poster
goteam · 27/05/2021 19:08

@sammyvine the 'Absence and Student Population' part will tell you what percentage on free school meals and what percentage are EAL to give socio-economic and some demographic data. Not sure where to find breakdowns by ethnicity etc

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sammyvine · 27/05/2021 20:12

[quote goteam]@sammyvine the 'Absence and Student Population' part will tell you what percentage on free school meals and what percentage are EAL to give socio-economic and some demographic data. Not sure where to find breakdowns by ethnicity etc[/quote]
Whats the website you go on please?

Original poster
goteam · 27/05/2021 20:47

@sammyvine just the Department for Education website. Can't do links on my phone

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ThedaBara · 27/05/2021 20:50

I know a family that live on the same street as Ashmole and didn't get in as they were outside the catchment, that's how small it is. The school opened their own primary a few years ago and that's their feeder now, quite hard to get a look in. Know two families that tried to get in through the music test, one failed despite having a tutor, the other got in as his dad was a music teacher and drilled him. Very very good school, and they have high standards to keep it that way. They have a priority list for admissions on their site, number 1 is kids in care, 2 is children of school staff. So if you can't find a house directly next door I'd say try and get a job there

sammyvine · 27/05/2021 21:28

@ThedaBara

I know a family that live on the same street as Ashmole and didn't get in as they were outside the catchment, that's how small it is. The school opened their own primary a few years ago and that's their feeder now, quite hard to get a look in. Know two families that tried to get in through the music test, one failed despite having a tutor, the other got in as his dad was a music teacher and drilled him. Very very good school, and they have high standards to keep it that way. They have a priority list for admissions on their site, number 1 is kids in care, 2 is children of school staff. So if you can't find a house directly next door I'd say try and get a job there
Wow is that how difficult it is to get a place there now? Living next door is not enough