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Secondary education

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Original poster

School A or B - pls give your opinion

28 replies

Pilot202 · 26/05/2021 09:50

This year I have to decide which secondary school (state) for my DS and I’m in a total dilemma about it. It’s basically between School A or B, which are a couple of miles away from each other. No open evenings last year, and I won’t have time to judge based on this year’s – if we go for school B, we’d have to move before end of October. So, here are my options:

School A we’re in catchment for, just. We’d probably get in via the waiting list. It got a very poor Ofsted 3 years ago, but a new head has come in and is turning things around. Historically, results have been well under average, but 2019’s were good, above average. No results available for last year due to Covid. It’s situated on the edge of a pretty deprived housing estate and draws 20% of its intake from here. The remaining 80% come from a fairly affluent middle class suburb. Locally it’s popular, I’ve only every heard good things but I don’t know anyone personally who sends their kids there. Pastoral care supposed to be good. From the outside, the buildings look very tatty which I know isn’t the be all and end all, but it looks uninspiring. Not sure about sports facilities but it does a lot of Duke of Edinburgh apparently.

School B is the natural follow on for my son’s primary. Around two thirds of his class will go to this school, and it’s his first choice mainly for this reason. I’m not being swayed by this as I know he’ll easily make new friends wherever he goes. School B is academic and gets excellent results, is in the top 20% of state secondaries based on academic performance. Intake is middle class achieving parents who push their kids. I’ve heard that tutors are used a lot. Less bright or willing pupils may struggle, I’ve heard mixed things about pastoral care. It’s got amazing sports facilities, excels in science and languages. The catchment however is tiny...

DS is fairly average academically but could go either way. He’s super sociable, likes to be popular, is easily distracted. Likes sport. Is good at maths but lacks confidence. With encouragement, he will work hard. I’m worried that if he’s around kids that mess about, he’ll simply slack off. School A might be quite nurturing for him compared with B, where he might feel ‘bottom of the class’ if they’re all very achieving.

My dilemma is that I’m a single parent, and a move will be huge upheaval. To find somewhere in catchment that’s affordable is going to be a struggle. The whole thing will be a nightmare I think. But I want to do what’s best for him. For me, financially, School A is far, far easier. But School B seems like the better option academically and socially.

What would you do?

OP posts:
SMaCM · 26/05/2021 09:52

School A. You can spend the money you save on tutors if needed.

Original poster
Pilot202 · 26/05/2021 09:58

Thanks SMaCM.

Yes, that’s definitely an option. A good friend of mine suggested the same.

Just not sure though - if the atmosphere of the school isn’t that academic, or the kids themselves maybe aren’t that bothered, does having a tutor make up for that?

I went to a pretty shitty comp in the 80’s and few kids expected to go to uni. It wasn’t viewed as a realistic option either by the teachers or the pupils themselves.

OP posts:
GyozaPoser · 26/05/2021 10:53

School B. There will be lots of challenging behaviour at school A. Most kids will swim with the fish they are put in with. I'd move for school B in a heartbeat.

Fitforforty · 26/05/2021 10:55

Which school is he in the catchment area for?

user1493494961 · 26/05/2021 11:01

Which school would he go to otherwise as you say you're not in catchment for B and would be waiting list for A. I would choose B if you're able to move, I think secondary really matters.

Original poster
Pilot202 · 26/05/2021 11:13

Thanks all. He’s in catchment for A. That’s our local school, but we’re on the edge of catchment. We’d get in to A, but might be a question of waiting. Lots of nearer kids and apparently there’s a drop out rate with parents opting for private.

I think secondary matters too.

Just don’t want to make a poor decision either way.

OP posts:
Fitforforty · 26/05/2021 11:32

Based on your description I would go with B especially as he is easily distracted.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 26/05/2021 11:39

Why are tutors used a lot at B? Could be an indication that teaching isn't that good .. or could be interested parents helping their children when they are struggling with something specific. Are the results due to the school or the parents?

Seeline · 26/05/2021 12:01

You say your DS is fairly average academically. What are the results like at school B for those who are not so academic? I am assuming it's a comp not a grammar, so not all the children there are academic. What is there for them?

How is your DS likely to react if there are a lot of children cleverer than him?

I too would question a high level of private tutoring - why is that seen as necessary? Is this responsible for the school's good results?

SionnachRua · 26/05/2021 12:15

School B, likely to be loads of challenging behaviour at A and if he's easily led, he'll be easily dragged down into any nonsense going on.

Original poster
Pilot202 · 26/05/2021 17:44

Thanks everyone. Useful questions to think about, esp tutors. I’m not sure if how I can get an accurate idea on this.

School B seems to be winning through. It does seem more appealing, the way I’ve written it.

It’s hard to get a real feel for either school though. No parent wants to say their kid’s secondary isn’t good.

OP posts:
HairySandwiches · 26/05/2021 20:14

Personally I would be more comfortable with school A. OFSTED, results and buildings aren’t everything. I would be very wary of a school where a lot of tutoring goes on. This either suggests very push parents or poor teaching. If you aren’t prepared/able to afford tutoring for your DS then he might fall behind and do worse academically. In school A he might be more in the middle or near to the top rather an at the bottom (which he soundly like he might be from your op? Sorry if I’ve misinterpreted that)
If 80% come from an affluent middle class suburb he is unlikely to end up with the “wrong sort”. If the numbers were flipped I would be saying the complete opposite.
Ultimately you have to go with your gut.

ImpatientAnn · 27/05/2021 07:03

Where does he fit in his current class? If he is in the top he would probably end up in top sets and then the distractions would be far less in lesson time.

ShakeaHettyFeather · 27/05/2021 07:35

I'd avoid moving house if possible. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with school A, and an improving school is likely to be better than a coasting school.

BendingSpoons · 27/05/2021 08:12

Good results from 2019 is promising. Those pupils started in 2014 so sounds like it has been improving for a while.

Would you be renting or buying? I think it would be mega stressful to try and buy before the deadline. Renting would be easier.

Mumski45 · 27/05/2021 08:24

I would say school B. School A with money for a tutor won't help him if he gets distracted by the wrong crowd.

NoMoreAngelDelight · 30/05/2021 09:00

Which one does your ds want to go to?

TeddingtonTrashbag · 30/05/2021 09:08

School B.
It will be much harder to keep him motivated in secondary especially as s single parent -so send him where the academics snd behaving are better tutoring is no substitute for poorly managed classes.

meditrina · 30/05/2021 09:14

His many preferences do you get in the form in your area? It's usually at least 3

Remember that all areas in England (assuming that's where you are, from how you admissions) must by law operate an equal preference system. So you can put down your schools in your genuine order of preference - the schools aren't even told where you listed them on the form (though they may find out later). They simply get a list of all applicants and they rank them according to how well they fit the published criteria. Then the turns those into a single offer per candidate, which has to be the highest preference for candidates who qualify for more than one school.

So putting school B first, if it is your genuine preference, from you current address even though you think it is a long shot/minor miracle territory, will have no effect on your chances of an offer from school A

Now, I don't know if that was part of your concerns in making your decision, but if it was I hope that helps

Lulu1919 · 30/05/2021 09:27

School B
Tutors....why ....
Pushy parents ?
Moving house drastic !!!

School A ..local
Mixing with different backgrounds..I see as a positive

Follow your instincts....talk to his teachers at the primary ...see what they think

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 30/05/2021 09:28

Given that you’ve already said school A might include a waiting list to get a place - which presumably means there’s a distinct possibility he won’t get a place - there must be a school C as well. What is that like? Is your possible move based on fear of this school?

ittakes2 · 31/05/2021 09:27

I think an issue for me is what is school C? you mention you should get in on a waitlist for school A. But you can't guarantee this. I would consider renting a place where you want him to go to school.

Original poster
Pilot202 · 31/05/2021 14:33

Thanks all. Will read through these recent replies and digest.

There isn’t really a school C. A and B are our two best and nearest options. For the third choice, I’ll be putting down a non selective school that’s further away, that uses a total lottery application ie: no catchment, they choose applications randomly. We have little chance of getting in but it’s a very well rated school, so if by some miracle, then great.

OP posts:
Christmasfairy2020 · 31/05/2021 22:44

B first choice and a second choice. Don't move or have tutors. Xx

Definitelyrandom · 01/06/2021 16:40

A sounds like the obvious choice. If intake based on class is a thing for you, then an 80:20 ratio seems pretty good - and you can hardly assume that all the kids from the pretty deprived estate are disruptive. Some of them will (of course) be bright and will respond to the good pastoral care. I expect there will be streamed classes. As PPs have said, I'd question whether the "excellent" results at School B are actually down to the school if tutors are used a lot. And mixed reports about pastoral care would be a concern for me.