St Mary Magdalene Academy (London, Islington)

[Fogwisp]

I know the school's been mentioned here before, just wanted some recent views.

Firstly, how many children do the governors' test? And how much movement is there? Just got a letter today and DC did ok but not near the top 21. We decided not to tell DC until March as we're focusing on praise for coping with all these school tests so well, rather than results.

1);I'm very brain foggy and finding the waiting list system confusing: is there a governor's place list and a separate waiting list, or just one waiting list? How likely is the governor's place list to reach no.100? (DC' result is in the top 100, but not far in.)

2. I haven't actually made it to an open day due to work commitments, so: please tell me what the school's like just in case, particularly in terms of suitability for a quiet child, how much parent involvement, how strict, how happy are the teachers (rarely asked, that!), how's the school on bullying?

3. How does it work in the application form, as we don't live nearby and won't be putting it first: would we still be offered a place if by chance the governors' list did move that far, even if we put the school low on our choices?

Sorry a lot of questions, anyone who can answer just one that would be great!

Thanks, we are in the mid-70s so trying to ascertain likelihood.

I asked the school and they said that by September i.e. after all waiting list movement they got to very early 60s. There are 10% less places this year, so my best guess would be anything from rank 57/58 upwards is unlikely to get a place this year (including my DD - we are in very similar position to you!)

thank you - yes I also called and they said the same thing. So unlikely to get to 70s it seems but not impossible.