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

[Barnetma]

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.

Totteridge Academy

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.

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

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.

Thank you.

@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/

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.

Thank you.

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.

This is for 2027, yes.

A school on the edge of my catchment is disallowing any phones to be physically taken into school. I thought the new rules meant children weren’t allowed to use phones in school during the school day, but could use them outside school. Are there other schools in the area planning to do what this school has? Are there plans for this to become Barnet-wide or is it just one school behaving oddly? This worries me. TIA.

All schools are dealing with the problem differently. You'll have to check each school website. There's something called the Smartphone-Free Schools Map that rates schools bronze, silver and gold, so it might help give you a borough-wide view.

Given this is a Barnet thread does anyone have any experience of Friern Barnet school for a child with ADHD?

The other very good school in the area is Wren Academy in Finchley, but it has a tiny catchment.

Ashmole is also very popular but I have heard mixed reviews

Thank you.

@ballyhewso as far as you know, there’s no indication that this is going to become a Barnet-wide trend? I will have a look at the website you suggest, but is that only for smartphones? This particular school is disallowing ordinary phones to be brought in (phones that can only call and text) that DC may need outside of the school hours.

I’ve also heard good things about Wren, but we would not make their catchment.

My advice would be to seriously consider moving very close to your preferred school. The better non selective schools in Barnet all have a very small catchment area.

I understand this is Barnet wide.

@MeridaBraveI’d read that schools were going to use various systems like pouches during the day. So all schools in Barnet are going to disallow children being able to use a phone after school? Worrying.

Why do you keep writing "Thank you"?

To thank people for their suggestions.

But you're not quoting anyone.

Imagine having manners…

As ppl has said, Barnet is big and as people have said, there is no chance of you getting into for example Wren Finchley or Ashmole from Mill Hill. Perhaps Totteridge and Ark Academy.

I think you realistically need to think of which school you have a chance of getting into and then ask for opinions.

Regarding mobile phones, I know that Ashmole has always had the rule that no phones on the premises whereas Wren allows phones to be brought but not seen or heard.