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Secondary education

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

Secondary Schools in South Bucks. Criteria based recommendations please.

15 replies

dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 07:33

Hi, I'm looking to short list some schools in the South Bucks catchment for my child who is currently Year 4. My priorities are that it's mixed sex with excellent leadership and emphasis on the safety of all pupils over and above academic excellence. For reasons I won't get into on here it's important that the school has a strong anti bullying policy. I had occasion to drive past two schools in close proximity to each other recently. It was around the end of the school day and the difference in the behaviour of the children was stark. The first school's cohort was rowdy and disruptive both to each other and the local community; pushing and shoving each other. I could hear expletives being shouted and general bad and dangerous behaviour. A little further on and I passed the second school which is known for its excellent and vigilant leadership. The children were organising themselves in a reasonable and co-operative way. They were well behaved and looked like they respected themselves and others. Neither of these schools are in our catchment but it painted a vivid picture for me of the big difference in experience and outcomes for children based on where they go to school and with who. I would certainly not send my child to the former, no matter its academic achievements. All and any experiences and recommendations greatly appreciated. Many thanks. X

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elevenduck · 15/06/2024 07:37

Bucks is a grammar area. Is this something you would think you might want for your child? If so, are they regularly in the top two or three children in their class?

If not, you might find that you are limited to secondary moderns, which can be tricky environments when the majority of the high-achieving kids are stripped out.

dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 07:46

This is exactly my issue and I'm not in a position to move unfortunately. It's worth noting too that I have failed at every turn to get a view from the school as to my child's place in the class in terms of academic ability but I would say that no, grammar is not an option. They are bright but not overly studious so it would be tortuous for them and me to have to deal with bucket loads of homework.

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elevenduck · 15/06/2024 07:57

If you aren't in a position to move, sadly you will probably be limited to your catchment school and/or any underperforming schools that still have spaces.

What is your catchment school?

JamSlaaaaag · 15/06/2024 07:58

I’ve just mentioned this on another thread but TBS seem to give loads of homework in Yr7 and Yr8 so be prepared for that. Speaking to parents of the grammar schools, they got less than my DC.
Bourne End Academy always gets a good review but might be further out then you’re happy with.

dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 08:11

Thank you both for your responses. The Beaconsfield School would be our catchment School but I've disregarded it as I've heard from several sources that it has a bullying problem which isn't being addressed by the current head. A friend of mine's daughter was pelted with rocks by a group of TBS boys :( Another friend's friend has just moved her son from the Chalfonts School for the same reasons and he's now at The Reach Free in Herts which I've heard is a safe school so I'm enquiring into that. Also a vocational school in London.... Bourne End Academy? Thank you, I'll look into that!

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elevenduck · 15/06/2024 09:01

Bucks are really good at publishing the "last admitted child" data - eg distance from school you need to be for previous years. I recommend you take a look at it and use it as your bible.

Too many parents come unstuck because they only apply for the schools they like - and then get allocated a failing school miles away because they didn't put their local one on their application form.

mindexplode · 15/06/2024 09:03

Holmer green is OK, we had bullying issues in year 7 and the school was all over it.

dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 09:04

Thank you. That's helpful info!

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dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 09:05

Mindexplode that's good to hear. I'm glad they dealt with it.

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Nonameoclue · 15/06/2024 11:08

To be honest, you don't often get a lot of choice in South Bucks, it's just down to the cluster school, although I'm guessing a fair few will get a choice between TBS & Chalfonts.
If you look on the link above, my guess would be any that say "all offered" on March 1st are the less desirable schools, any with small distances offered are the better ones. Not infallible but a good guide.

Nonameoclue · 15/06/2024 11:09

Deleted duplicate post

dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 11:20

Brilliant. Thank you.

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thing47 · 15/06/2024 13:33

I don't know how much choice you will get @dueinnovember14 , as there are catchment areas in Bucks. Amersham School, for example, some years ago was one parents tried to avoid and consequently anyone could get into, but under a strong HT and SLT it is now oversubscribed. DD2 went there and has a great friendship group and has gone on to very high academic achievement.

FWIW my DS has loads of friends who went to The Chalfonts, they are all lovely boys and welcome at my house any time.

dueinnovember14 · 15/06/2024 18:27

Thank you @thing47 appreciate your perspective

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