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Secondary education

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

Any parents from Barnet on here? Looking for a bit of advice on schools

11 replies

Barnetma · 03/09/2026 13:09

Are there any secondary schools you love? Any that you would avoid?

DC is pretty bright, sociable, contributes, good all rounder BUT needs a constant kick up the bum from me to do homework (less so over the years, but a real battle when it’s “busywork”), is definitely more carrot than stick and has a strong sense of justice/fairness which is a double edged sword. I think he’d suit a nurturing school, but one that challenges appropriately so lessons are less “tedious”. He will follow rules, but I think would become demotivated pdq with a school that preoccupies itself too much with trivialities instead of substance or a hothouse school. He can also be very self-motivated though which I appreciate sounds like a contradiction. I also want a school that walks the walk in effectively managing serious behavioural issues, racism or bullying as they arise. Somewhere that genuinely allows people to flourish, rather than “computer says no”. Does such a place exist?! If you have any inside info, please please share! We live in Mill Hill. I’ve namechanged. Thank you.

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CatBusStop · 03/09/2026 21:36

Totteridge Academy

XelaM · 04/09/2026 10:37

Are you going state or private? Dame Alice Owen would be a fantastic choice but you either have to sit the entrance exam it be on the doorstep.

Latymer is another but again it's grammar.

Barnetma · 04/09/2026 11:07

Thank you. It will be state. Please can you share any specifics of why you like these?

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XelaM · 04/09/2026 11:31

I know many kids at DAO and Latymer and both schools are fantastic and neither are hot-houses. There are loads of extra-curricular activities but (especially Latymer I think) expect kids to be self-motivated. Both schools are very difficult to get into though.

Barnetma · 04/09/2026 18:09

Thank you.

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ballyhew · 06/09/2026 13:13

@Barnetma I've heard very good things about St Andrew the Apostle and although its badged as a faith school my friends are atheists and find it inclusive: https://standrewtheapostle.org.uk/

Barnetma · 06/09/2026 14:57

Thank you. What sort of things have you heard? I wasn’t going to consider faith schools, but I’m not closed to it if DC won’t feel excluded. I’m here to learn! It’s a big decision.

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ballyhew · 06/09/2026 16:12

Barnetma · 06/09/2026 14:57

Thank you. What sort of things have you heard? I wasn’t going to consider faith schools, but I’m not closed to it if DC won’t feel excluded. I’m here to learn! It’s a big decision.

Good teachers, good approach to pastoral care, good comms. My friend is a teacher herself, at a different school, so knows what to look out for and she seems happy. She said the trust that runs it is quite small and has a few schools that are a mix of faith and non-faith and they all seem to get good Ofsted ratings and be well run.

Barnetma · 06/09/2026 16:17

Thank you.

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PinkFrogss · 06/09/2026 19:13

Is this for year 7 starting September 2027?

A starting point is what schools you are likely to have a chance of getting - check local admissions data for this.

Barnetma · 06/09/2026 19:44

This is for 2027, yes.

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