Clapton Girls' Hackney / mixed ability teaching

[LimeSqueezer]

The school looks wonderful in many ways, but how well does the mixed ability teaching really work for extremely bright girls (for example, CAT4 well over 130)? Are the teachers so wonderful they can really differentiate their teaching to cater to the massive variation in levels in the classroom?

I went to this school late 90s - early 00s and I am very surprised they still do this.

Quick background, then, forms were labelled C,L,A,P,T,N. Max of 30 in each. From years 7-9, you did all your lessons with your form (mine was C) except Science and Technology were you were randomly mixed with 2 other forms (CLA,PTN) into 3 classes. We assumed this was streamed at first but it wasn't at all.

The only time we were ever 'streamed' was for Maths in Year 10 where we were streamed into 3 sets (we had an intermediate paper, back then). And then the last 4-6 weeks of teaching in Science in Year 11.

The only time "CLA" ever had actual lessons with "PTN" was in Year 10, if you chose the same options and ended up in the same class. Again, not streamed.

Their thought back then was that sets make the "lowest achieving kids feel hopeless". I'm not even lying when I say my HoY said this when streaming was raised at a school council meeting. She also said it encourages us to help each other. That is partly true.

When I was there, behaviour was very bad. It really isn't like that any more. That is why I am surprised they still do this because it was even rare back then. Still, some girls got outstanding results. I got very good results. I'd say on the whole, students excceded expectations. We were only behind Our Ladies (now All Saints) and one or two of the Jewish girls' schools. We also come 2nd in the country for the amount you learn between Year 7 and Year 11 when I was there.

Thanks, @VointofPiew ! Incredibly, I don't think a lot has changed, except the behaviour is now seemingly excellent. The school say that the mixed ability approach is best for everyone, and some do get excellent grades, but I worry my daughter might be bored, and end up misbehaving and disengaging and not fulfilling her potential.

Bump? Anyone else on Clapton Girls?

An extremely bright relative is at this school and thriving. My own child is at another secondary with mixed ability teaching except for maths and it’s working fine. The only local school which sets across lots of subjects from y1 has the worst behaviour, attainment and P8 scores.

A friend's child just finished Y11 and got excellent results as did several of her friends - quite a few straight 9s or close to that so whatever they're doing seems to be working. I think they all do 10 GCSEs until the end of Y10, and then the most able go on to do triple science and the rest do double.

She never complained about boredom and seems like she was academically stretched.

What are your other options?

Thanks!! That's helpful. Other options are Mossbourne, which sets a lot, or trying to go private depending on where she gets in and if we could afford it.

I would for sure pick Clapton over Mossbourne, knowing kids at both. They’re all doing well but the Clapton girls seem happier about school

Very different ethos at the two schools and probably depends on your child. If they want to be pushed and respond well to strict rules and pressure, Mossbourne may be good. I would probably go Clapton (as a parent of academic girls).

I have a daughter at Clapton who was placed in band A for admissions. She is definitely stretched and challenged by the teaching there. All the girls are streamed for maths, then placed in mixed ability for all the other subjects. Often in smaller class sizes than you’d imagine. As a parent I think CGA is a truly comprehensive school and you see all abilities doing extremely well there. The teachers and girls have very high expectations. It’s way less strict than Mossbourne, and probably more nurturing / real focus in girls education. I wanted all girls for my kids which is why we went for CGA. Also with MCA it’s very hard to know you will definitely get a place! Both are excellent really.