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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

Any opinions on Wren Academy.

73 replies

fortune · 08/10/2009 15:02

I went to the open evening last night and thought it was a lovely school. The children looked really happy and confident. Nice teaching staff. Did any one else attend or have any thoughts about it.

OP posts:

hwalcc · 17/12/2012 09:49

I have a child who was at Wren for a number of years. I was very happy with appearances and swallowed the PR, unfortunately. But all children are (obviously) different. I wish I had been as perceptive as 'Ipreferchocolatetowine'.

examstress · 18/12/2012 08:16

What do you mean exactly hwalcc. Did your child find the atmosphere stiffling and did it get in the way of their progress. was your child in the first year that started at wren.

hwalcc · 18/12/2012 10:22

My child was in the second year intake and I think lived in constant fear of doing something wrong so never really relaxed. Personality is quiet and conformist so confidence went downhill. Got good grades when child felt they were struggling.

examstress · 18/12/2012 19:58

where does your child go to school now and are they happy there. what has changed.

barnetmum2 · 19/12/2012 12:53

Update from us is that at the end of the first term, we are extremely happy with Wren (that's us parents & DS).

catcit · 19/12/2012 13:23

My son is coming to the end of his first term at Wren.

When I look back to this time last year, to the angst, to the uncertainty, to the endless and usually fruitless conversations both with myself and with other parents, I can not believe how clear and simple things are now:

Wren Academy in beyond outstanding. I consider my son incredibly fortunate to have gained a place at this amazing school.

Bubblegum101 · 25/09/2015 09:18

Looks like a great school aside from the fact that they are brainwashing their kids at an early age with religion. I think they should decide for themselves what's true or not instead of being loaded with one religion (christianity obviously) as if it is 100% factually true. Kids you should check out the bible when you are older and realise how many contradictions the book has.

SueJameson85 · 01/11/2015 20:57

Hi My sons both go to Wren and it's been great. We live in Tottenham and my son just missed Latymer. My sons are very different and both their needs have been met. They have lovely friends and the teachers have been wonderful and they are both doing extremely well. My youngest is a brilliant mathematician and the school arranged for him to do masterclasses at the Royal institution of Science in Mayfair whilst the eldest is drama mad. It's an academic school yet even the drama department is outstanding. I feel really lucky they go there and I hope my daughter will join them in Sept 16

grogsygreen · 09/11/2015 21:45

Actually Bubblegum they teach general humanities covering all religions and faiths as in line with other non-faith schools. My son is now in yr8 at the Wren and rather then brainwashing him they have allowed him to develop his own viewpoints and to become a free thinker....and yes you are right it looks and is a great school.

Pepperpot99 · 10/11/2015 06:34

I know a number of children who have been forced out of the school either by bullying which the school has not resolved, or by the management who did not like having to cater for dc with SN. There was a suicide there recently as well. I would definitely NOT send my dc to this school - there is a very nasty culture of oppression and authoritarianism. I am not going into any more precise detail here but if anyone wants to PM me they can.

Mum2017 · 01/03/2017 10:07

I know the thread is old but my son will be most probably moving shortly to Wren Academy in year 9. Are there any new opinions on the school? Pepperpot99, is that Wren Academy in North Finchley you are talking about? Thank you

pepperpot99 · 01/03/2017 15:48

Yes it is Mum2017. I know a lot of people whose children were forced out (one because he had Down's syndrome and the school didn't want to deal with him - as an academy they can make their rules up). Another because her dd was being bullied really badly by the son of one of the receptionists and the school refused to deal with it despite overwhelming evidence. The police were involved...there are so many awful things I could tell you.

Good luck. You'll need it, I fear.

upthegardenpath · 15/03/2017 15:16

Wondering if there is any newer feedback on the Wren Academy...considering a move to that part of town, on a church place and have heard many conflicting things about the school so far.
Sadly, won't be able to visit until October, so any views welcome. Thanks.

Waney · 15/09/2017 13:15

Also after some more updated thoughts. For a community rather than foundation place how close to the school do you need to live currently? 0.5 mile, 1mile or literally on the doorstep?

Paddington68 · 19/02/2018 12:34

Wren is coming to Enfield www.wrenenfield.org/

Pastelblue · 03/06/2018 00:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Pastelblue · 03/06/2018 01:03

the students in my year started to behave more badly, some became out of control to the point where they started to drink or do drugs at some cases they got excluded or expelled. As the years went on, the kids became more bad and I felt like the teachers started to give up on the students which made their behavior worse, every class i was in the students were always out of control that the teachers couldn't control them anymore. In my opinion I don't think the school cares about the students at all and only cares about the status and how well they are doing in terms of grades etc to all the mothers out there please be careful on which school you are sending them to please get every bit of information as possible at the end of the day it is their choice if they wish to go, you may look at all the students there and see that they are happy but the sad truth is they aren't. I'm sure some are happy but from the students in my year, seeing them so innocent then grow up to become terrible people I don't want that happening to your child. I was one of the few that made it out alive and became a better person than I was before. i hope this helps.

Wrenmum · 17/10/2019 09:08

I have two sons and both of them attended the Wren Academy. My eldest son is not a conformist, and rebelled against the school's strict code of conduct on many occasions. I think he spent most of his GCSE year in isolation, however he is bright and the teaching is excellent. He achieved good grades enabling him to gain entry into Woodhouse College. My youngest son can conform and loves going to Wren. He is doing well and the school have nurtured his interest in computers and science. Although my eldest son bounced off the walls throughout his time at the Wren, it instilled in him great self discipline and a great education. My youngest son is sailing through. I expect great things from both of them. I encourage you to send your children to the Wren, if you are fortunate enough to get the opportunity.

Staycalm1 · 21/10/2021 17:43

I have a child that goes to Wren Enfield and 2 that went to Chace.
The goods points of Wren - Education is good, there is no tolerance on bullying.
This school is STRICT, to the point of children being scared of the teachers, and having anxiety issues. Pastoral care is not the strongest point of this school.
My children that went to Chace have thrived with top grades and have had a happy time in Education.

sammyvine · 21/10/2021 21:38

@Staycalm1

I have a child that goes to Wren Enfield and 2 that went to Chace. The goods points of Wren - Education is good, there is no tolerance on bullying. This school is STRICT, to the point of children being scared of the teachers, and having anxiety issues. Pastoral care is not the strongest point of this school. My children that went to Chace have thrived with top grades and have had a happy time in Education.

Chace Community? Recently got a bad Ofsted report. Your kids did well to get good grades from there!

Staycalm1 · 21/10/2021 22:03

I know I was very sceptical about sending my kids there but there was little choice in my catchment area. After speaking with the head of year he told me not to look at the grade results but how much the individual students develop from when they start to finish. They take in a lot of unpriviledged children.

The school does have a lot of problems, but the teachers are amazing and the children are less robotic

sammyvine · 21/10/2021 22:14

@Staycalm1

I know I was very sceptical about sending my kids there but there was little choice in my catchment area. After speaking with the head of year he told me not to look at the grade results but how much the individual students develop from when they start to finish. They take in a lot of unpriviledged children. The school does have a lot of problems, but the teachers are amazing and the children are less robotic

That is nice to see

Hopefully the school can improve and turn around
The progress 8 is also in minus which isnt good

Whats wrong with the school? Bad behaviour?

Staycalm1 · 22/10/2021 17:48

Yes there are a few children with bad behaviour as with most schools.

Mental health of children is a far more important factor than grades, Chace are very good at treating the children as an individual whilst Wren kids are cloned.

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