William Ellis or Fortismere?

[Elpis]

We've got into William Ellis and were fairly impressed by the open evening this week. DS liked it: he's a big reader, doesn't have an EHCP but certainly neurodiverse and lacks close friends because of that, chatty, loves the outdoors.

But we are 10 on the waiting list for Fortismere so have a decent chance of that. WE officially requires improvement (in 2022); Fortismere is officially 'good'. I hear good and bad things about both. His sister is at Parli which could do with some improvements, but she's managing. Very torn.

He's just got a place at Fortismere! No idea what best to do.

I know people with kids at Fortismere and they have done very well

How did you manage to get places at schools so far apart? AFAIK WE has a ‘closest is preferred’ policy and Fortismere has a catchment area the size of a handkerchief.

I don’t for a minute doubt you, I’m just curious.

I think I would go for Fortismere because it's co-ed and I think it makes more a calmer environment...

On a side note, I'd be curious to hear about the issues at Parli? Considering it as an option for my dd (currently year 5) - thanks.

I thought this was a baby name thread at first. Fortismere is cool, name your baby that! Can't help with the school choice though haha

We're equidistant between them. And there's been a big exodus from London since COVID.

Staff turnover at Parli has been v high and the classes have been disruptive. I heard great things about the pastoral care but it really isn't all that (DD has epilepsy). Things are better in Y10 but it is really sink or swim — which worries me, as that's what people tend to say about Fortismere.

OK. Thank you. I’ve never heard of an entry to both (absent sibling entry with a home move in-between, that sort of thing). Last I heard Fortismere’s catchment area was absolutely tiny.

Well done!

@Elpis - coincidentally my nephew has epilepsy so I know how important it is to feel schools are totally 'on it'. I know for my sister, it became easier the older her son got (he's first year of uni now and doing brilliantly). I know how worrying it can be though 😘

Interestingly I'd heard the about staff turnover at Parli but not really about bad behaviour in lessons - is it quite a problem?

Back to your original question. I'm trying to put this sensitively without offending anyone because I've seen how comments can get misinterpreted on here! I would say that in recent years, most middle class Dartmouth Park families are opting for Burghley (or Parli for their DDs) and therefore the Ellis cohort might see more issues surrounding gang culture etc. It's a big generalisation and I don't have kids at either school...but I would say the makeup of Fortismere is more similar to Burghley. No school will be without problems, but it's worth thinking about x

yes, conscious of that. But otoh I’m told WE has fewer problems with drugs than Acland precisely because it’s less middle-class.

Re bad behaviour at Parli, I think the current Y10 suffered particularly from COVID disruption. Certainly some time wasted in lessons. Some teachers are good, others have been mediocre, and recruitment is a big problem when it’s too expensive for most teachers to live nearby.

I've got a Y10 DD at Parli and our experience has been completely opposite! How strange..we've found most teachers are there ages in comparison to other schools. If you liked it, I'd go with Fortismere as it'll be easier to move to WE if things don't work out with Fortismere. But warning, Fortismere is extremely disorganised, comms lacking and don't underestimate the issue with drugs. I don't know enough about WE to comment.

That’s interesting - DD had seven maths teachers in Y7-8 and a lot seemed to leave after COVID, but glad you have had a better experience. I think I underestimated how much extra input would be needed from us to keep her on track.

DD joined in Y10. She was previously at another local state and briefly an independent. I've learnt that for the most part, people have very individual experiences even within the same year group. My friends with DD at CSG have had the same complaints as you. At the previous state, DD avoided all the supply teachers but some of her friends had about 10 science teachers in one year. She had the same one for 3 years!
For me personally, having been through 3 secondaries with her now, Parli has been the best.

there’s a thread from last year about WE that you might find helpful. My view is that all schools have their good and bad aspects - that said, I’ve found WE v responsive if you have any concerns - and is small enough so the boys seem to be well known by the staff. I really rate the headteacher - and the parents association is v friendly and back on its feet since Covid.

How is your child enjoying the school now? Has it gone as expected?

Yes - he’s enjoying it at Fortismere. Loads of extra curricular stuff including the chance to play the bass and Dungeons and Dragons. They’re also much better than Parli at keeping us informed of his progress and helping him to make friends.