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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Twickenham Secondary

105 replies

Slubulino · 27/02/2024 07:15

We are moving to Richmond in the summer. We plan to rent a property in Kew or Barnes.
my son will be year 8th is September and by the looks of it Twickenham is the secondary school most probably to have a place for him.

The academic results it looks above the average and is rated as a Good school. However being the only school not Oversubscribed and reading some old reports on the internet looks like is not a popular choice?

I am looking for some reviews or experiences you had with this school?

Another school that might have a place is Richmond Park Academy. This one looks like is below average academy.

Thank you!

OP posts:
lidonit · 06/03/2024 23:28

"Do you how a kid that doesn’t have a school placement ranks compared with the kids that already have? Does that make any difference?"

No difference. All done strictly according to the oversubscription criteria.

"Also, when does the process restart? In September? So we will not know anything till September?"

Correct.

Original poster
Slubulino · 01/04/2024 19:50

Hello! I wanted to give an update. I was in contact with Richmond admissions group and they confirmed that currently there are places in RPA and Twickenham School. Of course this can change until we move. The move is planned in July 🤞.

Unfortunately there are no vacancies now at Teddington school.

We have been looking more at renting and we really like Teddington but a commute to RPA would not work for my son. Would be too long.

If the situation stays the same in the summer probably we will choose RPA.

I am a bit disappointed they are not sharing much on their social channels or website compared to Twickenham School. RPA does not even share information on school lunches 😅.

OP posts:
SlightlyJaded · 03/04/2024 12:28

@Slubulino I've just PM'd you.

UnicornPanda · 27/04/2024 19:54

SlightlyJaded · 27/02/2024 11:57

I would go for Richmond Park Academy

Less over-subscribed than some of the Richmond Schools but actually quietly becoming more and more excellent. Even though it's our local school, I refused to send DD there eight years ago because it just wasn't improving as much as it needed to be, but six years ago, I felt far better about sending DS (with a lot of local cohort) due to new head and continued upward trajectory. And none of us have regretted it. He had some strong options for Sixth Form (including GreyCourt and Waldegrave) last year but has stayed on at RPA and is doing really well.

Grounds are brilliant
Teachers are excellent
Communication excellent
Bullying/disruption dealt with properly
Academically improving all the time across the board, but if you are reasonably interested in learning, there is no reason for you to not get excellent results. Last year, lots of kids came out with several 9s each at GCSE and DD's friend who DID go there when we didn't think the school was ready, is now at Cambridge.

The teaching is there if you want it.

There are some idiots - there are always going to idiots at state schools, but honestly, we have been so impressed.

Edited

@SlightlyJaded do you know if they use laptops or tablets at school for the day to day tasks and lessons? Also is your DS happy with the lunches served there? I wasn’t able to find information on this on their website. Thank you! 🙏

SlightlyJaded · 29/04/2024 12:07

@UnicornPanda

My son takes his laptop to school and they also have a multitude available for anyone that doesn't have. They do a mix of laptops and exercise books. His homework is a combination of written (by hand) and online.

Marking is good - through and with feedback

Food. He is in sixth form now (I think I mentioned that) and they are allowed to get their lunch first so he is really happy as they get the full choice - nothing has run out. Occasionally, he would mention that they 'chicken wrap' had run out by the time he got his lunch (when he was in younger years) but there would always be a few alternatives - lots of fresh food/fruit/salads. No fizzy drinks or Ultra Processed Food - pretty good offering.

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