St Andrews the Apostle School

[whyarentiskinnyet]

Hi

We have been offered a place at this school however I don't know too much about it, it wasn't on our original list so we never went to see it and it's doesn't seem a popular choice as it has a very large catchment area. Does anyone have a child there and if so how do they find it, would really appreciate any information.

Hello. If you put the school name into the search bar, someone asked about the school for last intake. Maybe you could contact that person?

Thank you, I had done a search but nothing had come up, I will try again.

@Helenjohanna nothing is coming up, only a post from 2015.

That's funny. It seems to have disappeared. You could try Netmums.

I found it. The post was by a user called hertsfarm. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4366268-St-Andrews-apostle-orthodox-secondary-school-Barnet-anyone-go-here

It will have a big catchment because it's a Greek Orthodox religious school and people travelling from all over specifically for this aspect.

I know a family. It's a very good school - it just has a wide catchment because a percentage of its places are prioritised for Greek Orthodox churchgoers. Look at their admissions policy and that will be obvious.

It has a very active Facebook page, so that might be a good place to find parents who know the school well.

@freemantel

I know a family. It's a very good school - it just has a wide catchment because a percentage of its places are prioritised for Greek Orthodox churchgoers. Look at their admissions policy and that will be obvious.

It has a very active Facebook page, so that might be a good place to find parents who know the school well.

Thanks @freemantel - there were actually only 6 admitted under Greek Orthodox category this year and the reminder were geographical so I don't think that is the reason.

Pleased to hear its a good school, I have managed to speak to some parents who are also happy with the school and have provided some useful insight.

Wow, that's not many Greek Othodox. I guess there's been a bit of an exodus of Europeans from London since Brexit and Covid, so maybe that has impacted numbers. But the designation is still a reason for the wide catchment - the school probably isn't an obvious first choice for families that aren't Greek Orthodox if they wrongly think they might be in a minority. I expect lots of people scroll past it without even considering it.

My friends aren't Greek Orthodox and they're very happy there. The trust that runs the school also runs non-faith and Church of England schools so the curriculum is no different to what you'd find elsewhere.

Bumping as I am interested too ( We are not Greek). The new building seems amazing But I am really interested in the quality of teaching. Do they stretch the kids etc Any parents with insights please do share.

@whyarentiskinnyet Did you choose that school at the end? I would be very grateful if you could dm me with any info you managed to get from parents. Many thanks in advance!

My friends' children have done very well there. They are very bright and seem to love school.

The school has had 5 head teachers in 5 years

Well it's a tough job being a Head in the current climate, and a school in temporary accommodation has to be a niche choice, even without a niche faith ethos. But in any case, I heard the school had interim heads from the Trust while it waited to recruit a substantive Head and is more stable now. It'll move into permanent buildings soon too.