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Secondary education

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Original poster

A last minute wobble about school choice

13 replies

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 23/10/2021 18:00

We have 3 schools to pick from A, B and C. We were confident we were going with A but weren't sure whether to put B or C second so we went to all the open evenings. And unexpectedly we think school B might be the better fit for DS but we can't be sure,

School A: Outstanding, great reputation and we already have a child at this school. Good discipline and good results. Very few of DS's friends will go but his best friend will.

School B: Newish free school so no results or anything else to go on. If they are to be believed they do a lot of practical learning. More of DS's friends will go. Closer to our house.

DS is around the top end of average academically but lacks confidence in his abilities. He does struggle with concentration but can do it if he wants to. He makes friends easily.

Any thoughts welcome.

OP posts:
bizboz · 23/10/2021 18:02

I would go with the school you know, especially if you already have a child there.

Original poster
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 23/10/2021 19:03

Thanks biz. It's the idea that B might be perfect but equally might not be all it promises that's unsettling. We know A will be OK but not perfect.

OP posts:
unknownstory · 23/10/2021 23:01

There's a new school near us that promised parents the Earth. On 3rd intake and I hear a lot of disappointment from the parents who are honest about it. They say it's fine but doesn't live up to what they were sold. I'd want to speak to existing parents for an honest view

CagneyNYPD1 · 23/10/2021 23:10

Our nearest school is very similar to your school B. Except that it is 9 years in. Was meant to shake up education in the town. It is a perfectly good school but it is just a school. And hasn't delivered on the amazing promises because it is all smoke and mirrors.

DD is in Year 6 and we will not be sending her there. We will go for the well established comp in the next town. A good school that does well for its kids year after year.

I have an older dc in a different school but all boys. He loves it. But the one thing that is very clear is that secondary schools have been under enormous pressure these past 18 months and that pressure isn't going anywhere. I want my DD to go to a school with an established staff team, established systems and procedures in place. Not a school starting from scratch.

unknownstory · 23/10/2021 23:58

Personally I think it's easy to hire professionals to create a fantastic brand & image. We have a few new schools near us, A friend of my DC is being bullied at another one. Getting attacked at times and pushed and shoved a lot. Bad kids in all schools.
I don't think the school is really bad but all state school are just that

Original poster
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 24/10/2021 00:38

You're all echoing my worry. We don't want to fall for a sales pitch. A bird in the hand...

OP posts:
Firesidefox · 24/10/2021 20:20

School A for sure. Newish schools tend to be more chaotic and have higher staff turnover, at least IME

Firesidefox · 24/10/2021 20:22

Just to add, we were tempted by a newish school with fabulous promises. Very very impressive.

We went for school A in the end and are so relieved we did, as friends who went for the equivalent of school B has all been hugely disappointed by how much of a letdown it's been.

ANameChangeAgain · 24/10/2021 20:24

We let the children choose. We had a situation were we had the choice of 4 local schools. They went along to the trial days and we let them choose where they felt happiest.

Original poster
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 24/10/2021 21:49

Thanks :) We think we'll stick with A.
DS has absolutely had his say but he was as torn as us!

OP posts:
unknownstory · 24/10/2021 23:31

@Firesidefox

Just to add, we were tempted by a newish school with fabulous promises. Very very impressive.

We went for school A in the end and are so relieved we did, as friends who went for the equivalent of school B has all been hugely disappointed by how much of a letdown it's been.

I've seen both happy parents and disillusioned ones. The one who is being bullied badly (beaten up in school) really shocked me as it's a school that's not huge and all the advertising is about being a close community. The other one promise amazing stuff that parents say doesn't really happen. School A - you know what you are getting
Original poster
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 25/10/2021 00:02

DS isn't a child that's a target, he fits in with the crowd. I suspect he'd float wherever he goes. My other child (SEN) was a target but school A has worked with me and it's been far better than I could have hoped.

OP posts:
Original poster
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 25/10/2021 00:08

It's interesting nobody has said B. I really thought someone would advocate for the practical aspect with a boy who is prone to not concentrating.

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