Highgate wood / fortismere / Aps

[Reginaldperrin]

We’re currently in the catchment for Highgate wood. I’m hearing quite a few disparaging comments about it being unambitious, and parents moving to try and get into fortismere or aps. Are those two options considerably better? Are they worth moving for all things considered?

There seems a definite snobbery against Highgate wood but is it justified? I obviously don’t want to send daughter there if it’s just not a very nice school. I was really hoping it would improve on the last few years, but everyone just seems to moving to try and avoid it.

Any opinions?

But that's because those subjects have a HUGE coursework load. I don't know any sixth forms that would allow you to take 3 arts subjects. Most would allow 2 if you're particularly self disciplined alongside an essay subject.
Art History is not available at HWS, it's not available at most state schools.
Have a look at Camden Girls for Art. I'm p sure they do art history but can't remember. Their art dept is v good though. Look at Compton too, they have very good uni guidance.

@Leopardmatches just had a look on the Camden girls website

https://www.camdengirls.camden.sch.uk/page/?title=Admissions&pid=175

Download the y12 grid. Based on that your DC could do music, photography, history of art and fine art if they wanted 4 a levels. Fine art, photography and history of art if 3. Obv up to the school if they'd allow it but it's perfectly possible within their timetabling.

Yes, I know CSG is the only local school to do Art History. Although one of the colleges does something similar.

CSG would be, and is, the top and obvious choice.
But we need other options.

I am aware of the workload of arts subjects. I’m also aware of the admissions criteria of the institutions mentioned.

Not sure what your point is than. HWS doesn't have more than the usual arts subjects on offer.
LaSwap is brilliant but as with all large sixth forms, easy to get lost in.

I am pretty sure Woodhouse still do A level
music. It’s the visual and creative art and designs we are after.

@Leopardmatches not sure if they're interested in film but this is a new school. One of DDs friends goes there and is enjoying it. The craft strand might interest your DC. Equivalent to 3 A Levels.
https://lsa.ac.uk/craft

Yes! Thanks @Foxesandsquirrels

I was so excited when I saw that, thinking it would be right up DD street. But then a friends child went there and said it was full of children who saw arts as a cop out and were only there as they had to be somewhere. Lovely to hear a positive experience. Thank you.

@Leopardmatches I guess it's pretty new so they need bums on seats and entry requirements are low because of that. Vocational always attracts that crowd though, there's a misconception that it'll be easy. DDs friend said those kids don't stay on and Y13 is small. It is very niche and they don't seem to advertise very well. I really had to dig for that craft strand, I thought it was just a film school and DD would hate that. They don't have to pay for anything, as companies donate lots of things for the craft dept. She's been able to do some amazing things in special effects makeup and seen lots of theatre shows for free! Got a free iPad they use in class and at home and even got to go backstage to see hair and makeup and quick changes in costumes. I think its like anywhere, it'll be up to the DC to make the most of it and DD really wants to go there.

That does sound amazing! I’m definitely going to add it to the shortlist of places to visit at the start of next year (Y11). What year is your DD in?

Currently Y10 at one of the LaSwap schools funnily enough. They may end up in the same place lol.

A level film or media are great options for combining essay and creative elements. Although media includes a lot media regulation. Depending on the school's specialism, DC get a chance to make short films, music videos and magazine.
I've heard really good things about the Design & Technology department at JCoSS, is that a viable option?

Thanks Soma, yes, that’s what she’s thinking, if she doesn’t get CSG and therefore doesn’t get Art History- to try for film studies or media studies at HGW or Fortismere along with fine art and another art/craft/design.

I hadn’t thought of JCoSS but I’ve had a look and we wouldn’t meet the y12 admissions criteria.

Leopard, why are you not sold on La Swap? My eldest is considering it for Year 12. Also has an offer from Fortismere.

@Leopardmatches Media tends to have more course work than Film. I think Media is 50% as opposed to 20%. Maybe @Piggywaspushed might be able to give more insight into the differences.

Hello, just seen this. Will reply later!

Why am I am not sold on La Swap? DD doesn’t want to go there! She has female friends at all the La Swap schools ( well, apart from WE where she’s male friends) and she doesn’t like the sound of their experiences. But mostly because the fine art work I’ve seen is underwhelming. I think that’s an AB department? I’m sure it would be fine and she may end up there, but it’s good to look around.

We have seen art at Fortismere and it was amazing.

I had no idea Piggy was film and media! I don’t know why I thought Piggy was maths? Anyway, how exciting, I’d love an insight Piggy. DD is interested in pop culture, TV, Popular music, not so much films.

@AndAllOurYesterdays Thats horrible!

In which case, media would be better!

I am definitely film! (and sociology) . Maybe you are confusing me with Noblegiraffe who is the resident wise maths teacher of MN.

Film and media A levels both have coursework. Film is 30%. I'm fairly sure media is too.

Media tends to be more practically applied and is more analytical of form , format, audience and production. Film is more analytical in the traditional , academic sense of the word - writing an essay about a text. Media has a bigger theoretical content , which some find very dry, a bigger focus on media production and audience reception (hence the theories). It covers loads of texts and a huge range of media - advertisement, magazines music videos, TV shows , films, mass media, etc.

The coursework in media usually results in devising , creating and evaluating a product to a brief and develops design and IT skills helpfully. Film has two options - one is to make a short film which many schools do. My school goes down the creative writing route and students write screenplays . It is lovely if students miss the chance to write creatively as so much of school ahs lost this.

In my head - students who are more Eng Lit/ history orientated suit film best, especially of the school does the writing route for coursework.

Those who are more artistic, design , graphics, IT biased in skills - and interested in sociological/ representational debate suit media best.

We tried to introduce art history A level. Sadly, no one opted to take it.

Informative as always @Piggywaspushed.

At our school the film students make a film and put on a mini film festival for friends and family.

At our school Media is 50% course work, which includes the student devising, filming and editing a music video.

Is that BTec? A levels were capped at 30%.

@Piggywaspushed thank you so
much. That information is so helpful. I think you’re right and media would suit her more than film. If she has to choose.

I think she would hate to do creative writing but would love to make a music video.

HGW does Media but Fortismere does both. And now I know the questions I should’ve asking each of them-about what sort of media and film they teach.

and of course Noble is maths. I was confusing my animals.

It's A level and the exam board is CIE, but I could be wrong about the % of course work.

Ah, OK so it's an international A level. They do allow more coursework.

Just bumping in case anyone had thoughts on moving from HW catchment to APs catchment? Is it worth it? Results so much better, people seem so much more impressed with it than HW.