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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Which to choose? Help!

25 replies

neonleopard · 13/10/2023 19:54

Really struggling to decide our (state) secondary school choice! We have a choice of two, one being closest and one being a feeder school. As such more or less guaranteed a space at whichever we put first.

School A is large, and a bus ride away (there is a school bus service that runs along our road). Most of his class will be going here. It's very academic - results wise is in top 10 schools in UK, progress 8 of over 1.5. Excellent facilities. Limited extra curricular offer. Mandatory RE GCSE. Head very business like and runs a very tight ship. DS middling academic wise and doesn't really enjoy primary, but would enjoy the creative arts facilities. I worry about the pressure of academic achievement here though.

School B is improving (new head, new academy around 3/4 years ago). Results average (although much lower than a!) progress 8 of 0.7ish. Head seemed approachable and realistic. It's half the size of school A and seems to get good feedback for pastoral care. DS likes that he can walk/cycle there, but wouldn't really know anyone. Lots of extra curricular activities and trips. Results average, but improving. Wonder if the lower pressure environment will be better for DS. Facilities not as swanky. Risk that new head leaves and school declines again. It's slightly undersubscribed.

I am more drawn to school B, but difficult not to be swayed by the results and facilities of A, but dislike lack of extra curricular and travel logistics/cost of A. DS has similar views!

Would we be made not to give A a go?!

OP posts:

MistyMooPup · 13/10/2023 19:55

PuttingDownRoots · 13/10/2023 19:58

My instinct based on your description is more B.

Catopia · 13/10/2023 19:58

Where does your 10/11 year old want to go?

Covgal83 · 13/10/2023 20:00

Assuming you've been to both, go with whatever instinct tells you. I've taught at 5 schools in an (almost) 25 year career, and my instinct has always been right.

twistyizzy · 13/10/2023 20:01

Don't base your decision on primary school friendships as these change quickly at secondary and new friends are quickly made if they don't know anyone at a new school. Choose the one that you feel is the best fit for your son but from the description you've given I would go for B.

Daffyyellow · 13/10/2023 20:03

A. My gut says avoid academies.

Original poster

neonleopard · 13/10/2023 20:13

Thanks all, a mixed bag! He can see the same pros and cons so doesn't have a strong preference - we have daytime tour of B next week so that may sway opinions one way or another!

OP posts:

FallingAutumnLeaf · 13/10/2023 20:31

School busses are a nightmare, and restrict any possible etlxtra curricula stuff unless you can ferry about.

The academic pressure at A doesn't sound great - and progress 8 of +0.7 is brilliant for B.

It's the extras that have really made my kids secondary, and allowed them to find their tribe

My only concern would be how small the smaller school would be. How small is small?

StressedMumOf2Girls · 13/10/2023 21:51

That progress 8 score isn't bad at all. That being said, I agree with PP and go with your gut.

Original poster

neonleopard · 13/10/2023 22:19

FallingAutumnLeaf · 13/10/2023 20:31

School busses are a nightmare, and restrict any possible etlxtra curricula stuff unless you can ferry about.

The academic pressure at A doesn't sound great - and progress 8 of +0.7 is brilliant for B.

It's the extras that have really made my kids secondary, and allowed them to find their tribe

My only concern would be how small the smaller school would be. How small is small?

Thank you for your thoughts, all useful insights! Small is 600ish, vs 1200. Is that too small for a secondary ?! He will be coming from a 1 form entry primary.

OP posts:

PuttingDownRoots · 13/10/2023 22:22

Is it 600 for 7-11 or does that include sixth form?

Original poster

neonleopard · 13/10/2023 22:25

PuttingDownRoots · 13/10/2023 22:22

Is it 600 for 7-11 or does that include sixth form?

The smaller one of 600 is just years 7-11, the bigger option (1200) does have a sixth form too.

OP posts:

PuttingDownRoots · 13/10/2023 22:27

120 per year is small but not unfeasible.

yoshiblue · 13/10/2023 22:34

How far is the bus ride? 20 mins or 1 hour? A massive difference in school/life balance.

Although friendships change if most kids from his primary are going to school A with better results, I'd likely pick that too.

What is your gut feel telling you? and your sons? We've been to two local schools recently and much preferred the feel of one over the other.

Headingforholidays · 13/10/2023 22:39

I have worked in big and small schools, and if I had a choice would always choose a small school for my child (unfortunately where we live the only secondary school option is massive).
Also, progress 8 of +0.7 is really good!

twistyizzy · 14/10/2023 07:20

@neonleopard DD went from 1 form entry rural primary to a secondary with total of 600 and it has been perfect for her. Knowing her personality we felt she would drown in a large school and so far I feel we were right. There is nothing wrong with a smaller school.

Original poster

neonleopard · 14/10/2023 08:14

Thanks all! Bus journey would be about 30 mins I think. I don't think there's a 'late' bus service (unless you take a non school bus) which is a shame for after school activities etc (ideally I'd like him to take advantage of after school clubs / homework clubs as I'll be at work or working some days).

My gut says B. If it wasn't for As results and reputation, I'd be more certain! Although I agree friendships don't matter, having familiar faces around will be important to DS as he's not the most confident and is a bit 'quirky' so might not immediately find his tribe. I suppose if he decides he has a strong preference to A, it's certainly not a bad option though!

OP posts:

midlifemelancholy · 14/10/2023 09:08

Daffyyellow · 13/10/2023 20:03

A. My gut says avoid academies.

Can I ask why?

Daffyyellow · 14/10/2023 09:11

@midlifemelancholy you can ask! I can’t define it. I’m in education and I don’t like what I read about academies and some of the autonomy they have.

BoardingSchoolMater · 14/10/2023 09:20

I would look round both schools and go with your gut instinct. I only ever went on gut instinct with my DC's schools, and it was right.

BoardingSchoolMater · 14/10/2023 09:22

Btw, friendships change enormously once children go to secondary school. Some children positively avoid the people they were friends with when they were younger - they're all trying to work out their identities at this point, and some make a very conscious decision to 'reinvent' themselves. So I wouldn't worry about what any of your DS's current friends are doing.

Mumdiva99 · 14/10/2023 09:26

Daffyyellow · 13/10/2023 20:03

A. My gut says avoid academies.

Aren't all secondaries academies now? There are no LA secondaries left......at least not here.

Go with your gut and your sons preference. Extra curricular make a child's time at school. It is so important. He''ll make friends.

If you choose B he might wobble closer to the time as all his current friend talk about going together. Support him and he will be fine.

twistyizzy · 14/10/2023 09:48

@Daffyyellow there are very few secondary schools which aren't academies now.

MarchingFrogs · 14/10/2023 11:30

Bus journey would be about 30 mins I think. I don't think there's a 'late' bus service (unless you take a non school bus) which is a shame for after school activities etc (ideally I'd like him to take advantage of after school clubs / homework clubs

Is the normal service bus route not convenient? Apart from having to pay twice for the same journey on an 'extracurricular' day, what is the issue with an existing service?

yoshiblue · 14/10/2023 20:03

I read your comment about bus journey and that's fine, 30 mins.

I'd listen to your gut feeling. I've seen a number of schools and I know in my gut I won't be sending him to one of the options. If that happens, we'll be looking at private options or a house move.

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