Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

Ecclesbourne school

44 replies

Moonfields · 17/06/2021 16:20

We are looking at relocating to the Belper area. No property in mind yet but it's important that we are in a good secondary catchment.

Anyone have kids at Ecclesbourne? I have read good things, I am wondering how oversubscribed it is? Do they ever take kids in from out of catchment or is that very rare? Our eldest is 9 so there will be a year or two in a primary beforehand.

OP posts:
clary · 19/06/2021 22:58

I agree QEGS is sought-after, never heard that about AG tho. It's a very small school (about 600) if you like that idea

I know someone who teaches at QEGS who is becoming increasingly frustrated with various issues and thinks the school is not doing the best by the students. It is popular but not in an Ecclesbourne catchment way... I guess bc some of Derby is in Ecc catchment and some not, but really anywhere near Ashbourne and you are in QEGS.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 19/06/2021 23:30

When I discussed the golden triangle it was to indicate that the area to that side of Duffield is a much safer bet than the side towards Belper

I love Belper but there is a problem in the school and some areas of the town with gangs and I wouldn’t send my child there never mind their results!

You would also be at risk of being pushed out when the new estates being built in catchment cause issues in the next 2-5 years

Also Clary you are absolutely wrong, Kedleston grange is categorically not in catchment, when they re- drew the boundary we as current parents were emailed about it and it caused a lot of anger in Allestree as once again Amber valley did a number on Derby city over facilities

clary · 20/06/2021 00:08

I'm sure that's true, but in that case the school should update its website as it shows the area in catchment, so that's pretty useless for parents who want to find out. Especially as the house builder is lying.

Scotty50 · 24/03/2022 18:01

Allestree Woodlands was rated needs improvement. Does anyone know please if it has improved.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 24/03/2022 21:29

Hi Scotty, yes it has improved but if you’re in Allestree Ecclesbourne is still always worth applying to

clary · 24/03/2022 22:55

New head but it's hard to say as my last DC left Woodlands last year after a very fragmented sixth form (like everyone's) - so the new head has had a hard time making an impact. I am sure things are moving now tho. DS2 really rated maths and biology teaching (2 of his A levels).

Agree Ecclesbourne worth applying to if you think it will suit your DC. Remember you have to get there tho - quite a trek from some bits of Allestree to the A6 for the bus.

Scotty50 · 24/03/2022 23:37

Thank you for the comments. Moving to Derby and looking at a number of areas, including Allestree, for housing with good primary and secondary schools.

DosVeces · 06/09/2022 22:20

Hello,
I am after some experience with Ecclesbourne admissions. We have the opposite situation as one that was mentioned on this post. My son is very academic and I struggle to continue to challenge him. He is in an below average performance primary school, but he does a lot of off-school studying. Coding, Science, Piano, Maths, and other things. I can't afford to buy a house in the catchment area in Ecclesbourne, not this year. We own our little house, and it has a healthy equity, but it needs a lot of repair. I have been saving, and was hoping to borrow more in our mortgage to repair and/or buy another house this year, but the bank has replied this week, and it is a no for us. No, for the amount we need. Try next year! We may still be able to rent in the catchment area, but after reading their admission policy, I am worried that I will put myself back economically by renting for a year or so, only to be refused a place in Ecclesbourne School. So, the situation is: If we rent, our little house will be under repairs, but it will still be in our name. How likely is admissions to offer my son a place? I wish they can talk to him, he will probably be more eloquent than me.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 06/09/2022 22:44

@DosVeces it is against admission rules to own in one area and rent in another purely to gain admission. The local authority are quite hot on this, if caught they can and do rescind places.

Please don’t do this to your child and family, there are lots of ways you can help your child out of school and if they really are bright they should do well in most schools

Thinking of the future, your child may well receive contextual offers for University if your local school has a lower number of students accessing higher education. They wouldn’t if they attend Ecclesbourne

You don’t say where your catchment school is, have you looked at it’s results or considered Landau Forte which casts a wider next and achieves good results

DosVeces · 07/09/2022 14:31

Thank you @Tomnooktoldmeto I did see the policy, and understand how it works. It also says that special circumstances can be explained. Our intentions is to ultimately buy and live in the area, as we work around there. I was after comments from people that perhaps had a similar situation, but perhaps I will call admissions and ask the question directly. Thanks again.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 07/09/2022 15:31

@DosVeces if you ask on the generalised secondary education part there are a few great admissions experts who can help. Sadly from reading their advice for years your situation wouldn’t count as far as I’m aware

it’s always handy though to look how far you are from the actual defined catchment boundary as it runs a long way in some directions and you may just get lucky

Angelicapickles1 · 07/09/2022 20:22

Yeah Ecclesbourne are hot on people renting and owning as well as happens year after year as the catchment houses are getting so expensive. Its not like a private school where you can apply for a bursary etc its in catchment or not I am afraid.

MBean · 20/09/2022 22:53

Ecclesbourne have now been rated as inadequate by Ofsted.

clary · 21/09/2022 08:25

I don't think that's the case @MBean , do you have a link?

clary · 21/09/2022 08:38

Oh wow I stand corrected and I beg your pardon @MBean they should update their website as well! :O sums it up.

Just shows, if you are going to have Ofsted, inspections should be more regular

MissAtomicBomb1 · 21/09/2022 20:59

Gosh that's a bit of a shocker! Wonder if people are still going to be fighting for places this year?

Neverfullycharged · 21/09/2022 21:02

I think academic standards are still very high, but not so much safeguarding, which is a worry.

It does seem that the traditionally good schools in derby are struggling while the ones in not so affluent areas are thriving.

MissAtomicBomb1 · 21/09/2022 21:54

Neverfullycharged · 21/09/2022 21:02

I think academic standards are still very high, but not so much safeguarding, which is a worry.

It does seem that the traditionally good schools in derby are struggling while the ones in not so affluent areas are thriving.

Indeed, I think some of them may have been resting on their laurels as they have good outcomes.

The backlash from the Ecclesbourne parents/community has been interesting in itself. Parents are saying it's down to a group of trouble making pupils who have overplayed personal grievances whilst the school has released a letter which in essence says they don't don't agree with the judgement. Doesn't sound as though anyone wants to meaningfully address the issues raised which is a worry...

New posts on this thread. Refresh page