Secondaries - Winchmore School/Highlands School - Enfield

[Mamasan1]

Last thread on this subject was a few years back so I would appreciate fresh input on this.

Currently renting in Palmers Green and looking into secondary school options for son starting in September 2023.

We are looking to live in Winchmore Hill (closer to Palmers Green vs closer to Grange Park). Closer to Grange Park opens us up to Highlands but the properties are more costly, versus closer to Palmers Green which is more affordable and guaranteeing Winchmore School. What are peoples thoughts on Winchmore School (Good Ofsted) and Highlands Secondary (Outstanding Ofsted)? Any parents sending their child there in the last two years happy to share their thoughts.

We will be outside Southgate and Ashmole schools so not really considering this. We would consider the Wren Enfield but likely to be out of the area.

Hi, my son is in year 9 at Highlands. He is happy there and doing well. It’s a great school, the senior leadership team are very effective, the teaching is to a high standard, the staff care and there is lots of extra curricular activity. There was a new head about two years ago who has focused, amongst other things, on behaviour (which had slacked a bit) and you can see a big improvement.

I also hear really good things about Winchmore but have no direct experience of it. I believe lots of families from the Winchmore Hill area got Winchmore’s this year as they would be out of catchment for Highlands.

@Superness Thanks for your response. I'm looking forward to seeing the Highlands come open day in Sept/Oct. How did your son adapt to the 5-form entry when he started Highlands? I can't get over the numbers of year 7 that attend each year (which I believe is the same as Winchmore)! It's going to be a change for my son who's coming from a two form year group.

@Mamasan1 he adjusted well, coming from a four form entry primary. I know of other children who transitioned from a two form entry primary with no issues. The school handles the whole transition very well. It’s a big school but most state secondaries are.

Does anyone have any feedback on wren academy, I’m currently deciding between wren and highlands as I’m in the catchment for both

@Michxox no direct experience. I know it’s catchment shrunk considerably this year for both faith and community applicants. I know people whose children go their and they are happy with the school but I don’t have any detail.

Thank you I’m not to familiar with wren but have been told it’s a very good school

@Michxox yes I heard it was good but getting hard to get in unless you are in catchment and church go-er. We will possibly put it down on our choice list.

@Superness I realise now that both Highlands and Winchmore are 8 form entry classes (assuming I've calculating it right with 30 per class)! How do these secondary school do it with 240 students starting 😳?

Hi Mamasan1,
I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering which secondary school did your son get into? Thanks