What to look for in a secondary school?

[greyinganddecaying]

We've now ruled out grammar schools, so trying to choose between the three remaining non-selective schools.

All results are in the same ball park.

One has better music/drama facilities (DC quite keen on this), and offers 2 languages. But is further away (probably 45-50 mins on the bus).

Other has "emerging" music and drama, offers only one language (french rather than Spanish). It is closer geographically, but probably a 30 minute walk.

We don't know where friends will be going yet.

Have you visited them? What vibe did you get? What do they stress most in promo literature

I’d go for the first one. One of my dc loves music and drama and goes to school that does this very well and it is really important to their quality of school experience. That’s personal though. Depends how dependable the transport is - if it were sometimes more than an hour I would say that’s too much. Also do you have good music drama outside school near you - it could be possible to add the extra curricular outside school.

Visited both. I got a better vibe at the first. DC liked both.
There's music out of school locally but not drama.

Other drawback to first school is that school bus times will limit opportunity for after school clubs

They all sound quite far away unless times are walking - are you sure you will qualify Bon distance?

Second one (nearest) is 30 minutes walk (1.5 miles)

First one is 45-50 mins on the school bus (that goes around the houses) - 4.5 miles away.

We're in catchment for both and it's not unusual for people around here to go to the further away school.

For me, the decision was set in stone after open days. We had schools A and B to choose from, both mixed comps. Ds's best friend was going to school A and he really wanted to go as well. School B was nearer and supposed to be stricter, Ofsted 'good'. School A was Ofsted 'outstanding' and supposed to be good for pastoral care. In other words, not much in it but I was thinking to put ds with his friend though so reluctant because of greater distance. Then I heard the headteachers speak. School A's head did a David Brent like 'chilled entertainer' schtick. School B had a woman vibrating with intense purpose and seriousness. School B was immediately our choice and was the right one. Ds's friend has ended up moving to School B for A-levels.

TL:DR go with a head teacher you feel you can support and whose ethos you like.

Thanks - unfortunately both head teachers (both women FWIW) were good.

If it wasn't for the distance, it would be the first school I think. But the distance is a definite factor.

Distance does matter. For us ds being able to cycle rather than go by bus also mattered.

Is cycling a realistic option for option A? Will DC be able to make use of the drama and music opportunities if limited by the bus?

I need to contact the school and find out about after school clubs.

Cycling is physically possible, but it's on some busy roads so I'm not keen tbh.

Does it have to be the school bus? My kids school has free activities every day afterschool..and high numbers do them. But catchment is only a couple of miles so most walk / public bus

Yes it has to be the school bus. Only other way home is to walk 4.5 miles, or walk/bus/tram which would take over an hour & require walking on poorly lit streets for 20-30 minutes.

Are they likely to want to stay for clubs? If they do sport it may we'll be afterschool & matches which means they return to school at 6pm etc