Secondary school help

Watermelondon · 01/04/2024 21:22

Year 7 and Year 4 2024/2025

New to Mumsnet and new to London!
Moving back to UK after living abroad for 20+ years. Have two boys aged 11 and aged 8 and moving into Wembley, Brent.

Desperately need help finding state schools for them! While Ofsted rates them high, I am looking for more than academics.

As this is a big adjustment for the boys, new country, new home, new school, I would like them to be in the same school and want a nice environment with great administration / school management.

I am looking for state schools but if the private schools aren’t too high I might consider.

Preferences:

Preferably all through for boys to stay together
Co-ed
SEN support
Ethnic diversity
International school environment
IB program is possible

Please help!

Thank you 😊

Rekka · 01/04/2024 21:41

@Watermelondon Perhaps start your own thread would get better advice, so that people aren't confused with OP's circumstances?

And also maybe have specific words in the title - Bear in mind, this is a national forum and you have audience from different regions. With a more specific request within the title, your thread could gain more attention.

Good luck!

LIZS · 01/04/2024 21:49

Unlikely you will get a free choice of school for your 11 yo unless you go private. Even then, year 7 selection process for this September has already taken place. Relatively few state schools take IB even at sixth form.

BendingSpoons · 01/04/2024 22:59

There are not many all through state schools and those that are tend to be fairly separate between primary (up to 11) and secondary (11 and over). I would focus less on that and more on which have spaces. Will your 11yo turn 12 before the end of August? When do you move? Spaces might be quite tight for him, but if he will be year 7 in Sept (I.e. Still 11) you might get lucky with shifting waiting lists.

Watermelondon · 02/04/2024 07:57

SENrights · 11/11/2023 12:19

Would anyone be able to advise if there may be a good mainstream setting in north London/North west London/ anywhere in london! for secondary schooling? We are in year 5 now and desperately looking for an appropriate school (son is on the milder end of the spectrum and is thriving well in a small classroom size school at present) maybe a private or small state mainstream? All schools around us are very big and worried our son will lose focus in larger settings due to being sensitive to odd loud sounds

Thanks for that! Just started a new thread.

Watermelondon · 02/04/2024 07:57

Rekka · 01/04/2024 21:41

@Watermelondon Perhaps start your own thread would get better advice, so that people aren't confused with OP's circumstances?

And also maybe have specific words in the title - Bear in mind, this is a national forum and you have audience from different regions. With a more specific request within the title, your thread could gain more attention.

Good luck!

Edited

Thank you! Started a new thread xx

Original poster

SENrights · 02/04/2024 09:07

Watermelondon · 02/04/2024 07:57

Thanks for that! Just started a new thread.

Show quote history

Will be following you as got no responses to mine!

OP posts:

Watermelondon · 02/04/2024 19:54

BendingSpoons · 01/04/2024 22:59

There are not many all through state schools and those that are tend to be fairly separate between primary (up to 11) and secondary (11 and over). I would focus less on that and more on which have spaces. Will your 11yo turn 12 before the end of August? When do you move? Spaces might be quite tight for him, but if he will be year 7 in Sept (I.e. Still 11) you might get lucky with shifting waiting lists.

Thank you for the advice!

Watermelondon · 02/04/2024 19:55

SENrights · 11/11/2023 12:19

Would anyone be able to advise if there may be a good mainstream setting in north London/North west London/ anywhere in london! for secondary schooling? We are in year 5 now and desperately looking for an appropriate school (son is on the milder end of the spectrum and is thriving well in a small classroom size school at present) maybe a private or small state mainstream? All schools around us are very big and worried our son will lose focus in larger settings due to being sensitive to odd loud sounds

Good luck to us both! Let's hope we find something and do msg me if you do!

LetItGoToRuin · 03/04/2024 13:25

SENrights · 02/04/2024 09:07

Will be following you as got no responses to mine!

Show quote history

That's because 'Secondary school help' was a very non-specific title.

I'd suggest you read @Rekka's excellent advice above, and start a new thread with a more descriptive title (such as 'Small secondary for mild ASD in NW London') that will catch the attention of people that have relevant knowledge.

Good luck.