Clapton girls E5?

[QueenofFox]

It’s our guaranteed local school but I wasn’t so enamoured by it when I looked round. Everything felt quite small and cramped and I’m not sure about the only girls element. Does anyone have stories to share? We might get mossbourne via lottery or maybe stretch to one of the South Hackney coeds like bridge. Feeling a bit overwhelmed as the deadline approaches!

Hello, I have a daughter at Clapton (yr 7) and I know many children at Mossbourne and Bridge. We really liked CGA, Mossbourne and Haggerston and put them down in that order on the CAF form. Bridge was also on our CAF but a bit further down, tbh I found their building to be quite cramped vs others plus its also strict there.

I think it depends on what style teaching you think will suit you child. For us, we feel Clapton is less strict on the small stuff and our daughter is very motivated by the achievement system at the school. She also really likes all the extra activities going on. They have a long history of teaching girls well, and although my daughter has said once or twice she wishes it was mixed she also recognises it would be a different school if it was mixed, by that I think she finds it calmer and more encouraging for her personally in an all girls environment. Good communication from the school and genuinely it just does not seem anything like as strict and rules driven as the other two you mention. Have you looked at Haggeston?

If you are well in catchment for CGA then, why don't you just try your luck with Mossbourne 1st then Bridge or CGA next? Which school do you think would suit your daughter best?

Thank you! That’s helpful to think about. I’ll go and look at haggerston. I think CGA would suit her best but I admit I like the results from mossbourne and bridge which makes me torn. Thanks for replying!

Having had ds1 go through the Mossbourne system I am hesitant to do it again with dd2. Mossbourne is incredibly strict and through this they get great GSCE results, but at the expense of any sort of fun and it crushed his mental health.

I'm keen on CGA as seems to be a calmer and more nurturing environment, but we might not get in. I think City is our only "definite".

Haggerston is being taking over by the same federation who runs Hackney New School which puts me off.

That's interesting @bealos as Petchey Academy has also joined that same trust. (If you mean Waterside Academy when you say Hackney New School)
This does mean that three schools all very close together will be in the same trust.

Yes thanks - it changed names didn't it? Hackney New School >> Waterside Academy. I would not choose Petchey for other reasons, but that adds to it.

I find the Head teacher really makes a difference to the impression of the school, as they guide the ethos of the school.

I did really like Bridge when I looked around too. The same Head has been there for many years and he is pretty inspiring.

MVPA has a robot for a head teacher now - they used to have a much more inspiring and communicative head.

City Academy has a new female headteacher (whose own children go to the school) who seems more approachable than the previous one. No apologies for the strictness of the school but within the picture of a really good music, theatre and sports offer, amongst other things.

I know many girls who got through Clapton with brilliant GCSE results and are now at Mossbourne for sixth form- honestly I think that’s likely the best route to take, Clapton has the nurturing environment that is helpful in the younger years and then they get pushed by Mossbourne when they are more ready and less sensitive

Hi, looking for insights on Walthamstow Academy, Walthamstow school for girls and Frederick Bremer.
we have to move house before my kids start secondary so trying to move into the catchment area of a decent secondary.
I have a boy and girl.
Any advice on culture, academic standards, safety and MFL teaching much appreciated.
many thanks

Might find info in another thread or start one @Wieb15 ? As this one is about Hackney schools.

Hello! Is ur daughter in cga Year 7 now? If she is I would like to know is it good.
I'm very hung up on cardinal pole, clapton girls and city acadmey.
I suppose clapton and cp are good schools but city has my eye but the thing is that, I only like that school for my daughter because of the sports facilities and grades. But I've heard alot of bad stories about city acadmey drama, fights it's just alot and I'm not letting my daughter go through that. But if ur daughter goes clapton girls acadmey ask her how is it and also ask her. Is it a good school academically. My daughter visited there and she said she loved it but she also likes cardinal pole, I'm not quite sure about the girls thing though but, maybe we can give it a try.

Please reply by next week Monday or Tuesday bc we're picking soon!!

My daughter is in year 7 at CGA and only a month in but really liking it.

As others have said above, it's welcoming and nurturing, the comms and interaction to parents is good (not treating us like children like Mossbourne).

The sports facilities at CGA are excellent and there are options of loads of clubs before and after school including everything from steel pan orchestra and guitar, to tennis, football, basketball, fitness and running club.

It is a very good school academically - I would say better than City.

CGA also had an Oftsed report this year which was Outstanding in all areas.

I think you have until 31 October to apply for secondary schools.

Hello @bealos
My daughter is writing here:
Hi! I wanted to know if the environment is like good and welcoming is there any bullying and I just wanted to know is the lunch worth it, they told me its 3 pounds minimum for lunch and I wanted to know if its worth it for the lunch and stuff.
Please reply!!
Thank u @bealos