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

I visited QE boys and hated it. Ds was also all high 5s in year 6. He's now at our local comp - extremely mixed ability- high proportion free school meals english as second language etc but I still expect mainly As at Gcse's as he's bright and academic- regardless of school. At QE he would perhaps be more certain of all A stars but in my mind there is really more to life. Please dont get drawn into the utter madness that happens around secondary schools in this country.

QEB seems to be a real love it or hate it experience. Some people think it's the holy grail, others find it oppressive and bootcampy. But I know people with boys there who are v. happy.

My ds is desperate to go there, mainly for the sport I think. But we have other good nonselective schools available to us, so I'm not panicking about whether he gets in or not.

Latymer is much more liberal and laid back than QE, probably more similar to DAO except fully selective, of course. There is a lot of competition for places, as the catchment includes areas like Islington, Hackney and Walthamstow which don't have lots of good other schools. It's out of our area, so not really on our list.

hth

Missle5_ Why is moving stressful for family?!!
No can't have extension and have many reasons for moving so we are 100% gonna do it even if it's half mile down the road.
ANYWAY - bit of news, after 15 months on the market we had an offer yesterday! We not sure how to respond yet but think dh will invite them to make higher offer (it's not bad though). EXCITING!
So we might have to rent if we are still v undecided.
TDiddy - yes the co-ed thing is quite important to us.

Congrats on the offer. I think you should focus on area with high concentration of diff school options? Or are you very confident of DS and DD getting in to a single school. May be I am just trying to encourage like minded people to stay in the area

oh gawd, they came back with higher price and we've accepted offer!
No idea what to do next but we're off to America for 2 weeks tomorrow morn so time to think/ignore.
TDiddy - is a man! - you have been most helpful in concentrating my thoughts even though I am still v confused!

boyngirl, some info on Fortismere seeing as that was the school you first asked about. Takes in 243 a year, about half of the places go to siblings, the rest on distance, for the past few years the catchment for non siblings has been about 0.5 of a mile.
Next year they will admit 24 children on music selection criteria, this will mean 24 places lost to distance children, so the catchment will shrink, these childrens siblings will also be able to get in in future years, so it will make the catchment shrink even more.
If you are thinking of moving to MH for Fortismere, be very careful about where you move to, the estate agents often say a house is in catchment when it is not. Quite a lot of renting to get in goes on, although they are trying to catch people out by asking for additional proof of address once you have been given a place.
On the plus side, lots of people move here in yr 4/5 planning to go to Fortismere, many of the children going to the local primary schools go on to Fortismere and they all walk to school, and have lots of local friends.
They set in almost every subject, the setting takes place after the first half term holiday. The head has a real drive for success and is now very hot on bad behaviour and detentions are given frequently.
They get lots of homework and are expected to work hard, but the children are of a type, as you said earlier. No uniform so they look a mess, but most of the people I know are happy. Very strong on music, maths and art, doesn't seem to be as sport as it looks.
MH is a lovely place to live with a very strong sense of community.

isgrassgreener -useful info.

boyngirl- don't be so scared to rent. Missing a 5pc increase in houseprice would not be as bad as getting stuck in the wrong house. Some pessimists still see scenarios where house price falls resume so the risk is still symmetric. Remember that int rates increasing could easily put a lid on prices.

Can your buyers wait?

In my area mixed schools are not as great as single sex ones so we will have to compromise for DS. Not necessarily bad thing for DD though as girls are meant to outperform in single sex school. They are currently at mixed pre school.

Why don't you try the objective exercise of writing down your priorities and weighting them and the scoring your options accordingly. It may help you to prioritise.

Enjoy your holiday.

you can get good rental deals if you are shrewd/hardnosed.