Existential Secondary Schools Question

[PapaBe]

Hello,

Currently have one kid (9m) and looking to move in Greater London (currently scouting Enfield/Barnet) for a 'family home'.

To what extent would you research secondaries if they won't be going for another decade? As the Ofsted rating doesn't give the whole picture.
I'm wondering whether it is in fact worthwhile because although teaching standards may change over the years, the facilities, extra-curricular opportunities etc may not.

I went to a great state school and wouldn't want to either be signing up for less or committing to need to move again in future.

Keen to get thoughts.

Thanks,
PapaBe

Facilities and extra curriculars can absolutely change. And they probably will. 10 years is a long time. Some of the children in Year 7 now will have graduated with their degree by the time your DC starts Year 7.

You can't predict the future. Schools go up and they go down. You will simply have to take the risk or be open to move if the secondaries in your area are not to your standards (although Barnet/Enfield does have some excellent Grammars if you choose to go down that route. But remember even Grammars can fall and rise). Or third option: private school.

In London I think it's probably worth checking you don't fall into some sort of weird blackspot where you don't quite make it into the usual distance offered for the schools around you. Or that you wouldn't end up restricted to faith schools/single sex schools if you wouldn't want those for your child.

10 years ago DS school was failing both based on ofsted and local views. Numbers where plumetting and most years they had around half the PAN most of which got places as other schools where full.

8 years ago a new head came in. They are now ofsted “good” and over subscribed in years 7-9.

another local school has sadly gone the opposite way. A lot can change

In my view, schools are usually as good or as bad as the head teacher. A change of head can cause a poor school to improve dramatically or a good school to become dire. You just can't predict 10 years in advance.