Feedback on Alexandra Park Secondary School

[Mistigriff]

Hi everyone,
does anyone have any first hand experience of Alexandra Park Secondary School?
I'm thinking way ahead as I'd like to buy and settle in the area long term, so I don't even know what the questions are really. Academics, pedagogy, how safe it is for kids and especially boys, community feel, etc.

Hello! Sorry that I am not quite giving you what you have asked for but I see you have not had any responses yet. My son has just got his offer for APS so he will be starting year seven in September. The reason we chose this school (and he is adopted so we basically have free choice) is because it seems to offer what I call boundaries with warmth. It is strict and pushes the kids (which my son needs) but the teachers genuinely seem to like the kids and were not phased by the idea of my bright, sporty but decidedly non academic son- they have lots of kids like that. I was impressed by the extra curriculars and the fact success is not just stellar academics and reading PPE at Oxbridge and they offer different GCSE pathways. That said, if tip top results and great academics are your thing they have that too. What tipped the scales for us is a good friend of mine locally who is a teacher has an adopted child who goes there and she is very impressed. My work partner’s kids go there and he is also very happy.

So not exactly first hand experience yet but nearly!

Which one? Where?

I assumed she meant APS in North London?

Personal opinion, based solely on our own experience as a family:
This school appears to suit some pupils very well, particularly those who are already academically confident and whose families have significant resources to support them outside school.
Unfortunately, this was not the case for our son. Over time, his confidence declined markedly and his mental wellbeing suffered. Despite raising concerns, we felt that the support available once a child began to struggle was limited, and that academic performance was prioritised over pastoral care.
There are individual teachers who are clearly committed and kind, but from a parental perspective it often felt that they had little scope to adapt or intervene meaningfully.
The school places strong emphasis on exam results, and it felt to us that pupils with access to additional support outside school were better able to cope with the demands of the environment. For children who do not fit that profile, the experience can be very difficult.
This is only our family’s experience, but I would encourage other parents to look carefully at whether the school’s approach and culture are the right fit for their child, particularly in terms of wellbeing and support.

From what I've heard, it is quite strict (not insane like some of the academies) with lots of testing. I've heard parents complain about this side of things, but if your kids are academic, I'd opt for APS over Highgate Wood or Fortismere...

How is he finding it so far?