Agony over N London/N10 secondary schools

[boyngirl]

Hi all

I'm new here but been obsessively reading posts on choosing secondary schools.

I will try v hard not to be too boring about this as I know it's been asked/discussed 8 billion times. I would love some opinions on what type of schools to opt for, especially from Muswell Hillies.

My son (don't know all the abbrievs, sorry) is only 7 but we're having to think about secondary schools as we've got house on market (just want bigger property, that was motivation for moving).

I live in borough of Barnet at the mo where there are great schools, selective, private and state. BUT don't know if want son to go through all the hideous tutoring/exams business (he is v bright but who knows how bright compared to others and he might be a thicko by the time he's 10!!) - one school boasts 3000 kids going for 24 selective places. I mean, pressure or what? Plus don't want to live on doorstep of these schools as we don't really like the areas (not a snobby thing, honest, they are nice but just not us). Then there's private schools - fine but we'd be skint for next 8 years. And 'private' isn't necessarily a magic wand I guess.

ANYWAY (boring myself now)we really like the sound of Fortismere in N10. We've lots of mates in Muswell Hill and like the liberal sound of the school (we are the ghastly media types some of you speak of with a shudder - quite rightly) and it's got quite good results. But not as good as loads of schools in Barnet. I'm concerned I'll do my son a disservice by not sending him to the 'best of the best' if he is v clever.
He's a sensitive but fun-loving type of boy. His current primary school is fantastic, he's gained lots of confidence (he was really shy when he started) and lots of pals.

Do any of you have kids at Fortismere or know it really well and if we move to Mus and he doesn't get in or we decide against it what alternatives are there eg good other state school, grammar or even priavate?

Thanks for reading this!!

Boyngirl

+Leafy
+Mixed population (economically, background etc)
+low crime

-not as many restuarants as Mus Hill etc
-i fear that you may consider a bit too suburbian and not eclectic enough.

my son attends The Wren Academy and loves it, the children look very happy there. So far so good. Leadership (a wonderfull head) and teachers have been good. Lots of homework (not allways a good thing) and worthwile trips. Maybe a little too much testing, saying that it is the same in most schools. The last week of school consists of activities during the whole week with a residential at an independent boarding school who co-sponsors Wren.

That Missile- is admission based on catchment area or is it otherwise selective?

That thanks Missile

Admission is bases on a points system. look on the website "look atthis page under admissions. It is split into 2 sets of criteria and waiting lists. Half go to foundation places, half to community places.

What year is your child, if you are applying for next year you will stand a chance as the school is still new.

Missile5 - thanks. He is year 5 at present.

seems like we only get half a point as we don't even live in barnet

you might stand a chance if you attend church

thanks. Is it too late for me to be saved? all my siblings attend and keep praying for me.

It's never too late to be saved.

Thank you

Agony?

Wren sounds good TDiddy. Gonna look up now.
My dh is being a real stick in the mud, which is weird as he always said he'd never live in Muswell hill but now is set on Fortismere. Dunno why - I hope it's not him being lazy as he had great education, parents stretched themselves to send him to independant school and he was v happy there. Although he says he'd prefer co ed for ours. Maybe he just wants me to shut up!

You are already in a great spot. Lots of people go to Barnet for schools. If you want to consider commutable suburbs with good schools look at Rickmansworth, Northwood, Pinner. But why move from burb to burb unless you are after a particular school.

UK Housing update:

According to figures published by RICS, enquiries by would-be homebuyers are translating more frequently into purchases. Newly agreed sales are rising more widely across the market than at any point since data were first collected in 1999 (FT). But most significantly, the seasonally adjusted net price balance of surveyors reporting falling rather than rising prices improved from -43.8 in May to ?18.1 in June. Although the balance remains negative, it is the highest reading since September 2007.

Still no need to rush in as things will slow in the autumn, i think.....

missile - just looked at Wren (by the way just heard of someone renting nearby to get dc in). How much emphasis is there on the Christian side? I don't mean re getting in, I mean in general?

The school have a reverend who takes one of the enrichments and is involved in different ways with the school. It is a Christian school but at the same time there are other faiths attending. Christianity is not forced upon you but you're obviously going to learn about the religion. It really is a lovely school and I haven't heard of any bullying going on.

Imagine the cost of moving to muswell hill when you have two perfectly good schools just down the road from you (Wren the preferred off course). Go to the open evenings in Sep. the dates are on the homepage of the website and see what you think. You will then get an idea as to whether you stand a chance of getting in. My dc is in year 5 too we will be taking him in September. He has his heart set on QE boys but I am not convinced. He will do just as well at Wren. There is a lot of money being invested and people taking a lot of interest in this school. There will be lots of opportunities for the children attending.

missile5- QE 's results are certainly as good as most. However I wonder whether there is a strong selection bias. SO they stop anyone who wouldn't get an A from doing A'Level Maths for example. And there is more to life than results. Having said that, I am considering it as one of the options.

The Wren is pretty good IMO. Lots of kids from my dc's primary school have gone there and are thriving. They are planning to teach the International baccalaureate as well as A levels which is good news for the more academic types, IMO. Given the choice between the Wren and Fortismere, the former wins hands down as far as I'm concerned.

Have been arguing on another thread that the parental influence/background is the key driver to a school's results if you are looking at absolutes as opposed to add value. Controversial but that is what I see in RL.

TDiddy - you say "there is more to life than results." Why shouldn't your dc get the same results from any other school. Success mostly comes from the child and what they want to achieve. My thinking is if the child is happy and less regimented they will succeed, especially if they are academic. Don't get me wrong Wren is a very strict school, put a foot wrong and they will come down on you.

If you are thinking about private, maybe you should also think about King Alfred.

Yes parental influence/background is also the key driver to the childs success. Do you really want to go private. What is RL.

RL= real life

I am nervous about my secondary options. I am paying for prep school * 3 and not questioning as it has been an excellent start for them.

But for secondary I really don't know. The first options without moving house (not doing that) are:

Merchant Taylors, Habs, Watford Grammar, QE and errrrr St Pauls