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Secondary education

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

Original poster

east hertfordshire schools

28 replies

Phoenix4725 · 18/01/2010 11:03

anyone any advice were moving into the area and are struggling to find a school for my ds who is y8 , since seems all the schools hold own place lists they are full

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bruffin · 18/01/2010 12:06

which part of east herts?

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 18/01/2010 21:12

were moving to sawbridgeworth

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webwiz · 18/01/2010 22:13

Its difficult because all the local schools are foundation or voluntary aided so you have to contact them directly. I would presume you would have the best chance with Leventhorpe if you are actually moving to Sawbridgeworth. The Bishop Stortford schools are all full and you are a bit further away from them. It must be very worrying Phoenix have you contacted Herts LEA for advice?

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 19/01/2010 05:38

yes i have webwiz so far they said second we got tennancy agreement to go via the schools appeal system , failing that they think nearest school with places is 12 miles away .

Were are actually moving to a tiny little viallge between sawbridg and bishop stortford has a railway crossing in it

Essex wont touch him either as were only staying with parents temporially and takes them 3-4 weeks to admit to school so ds2 not getting any schooling

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bruffin · 19/01/2010 08:17

What school do they say has places? There are two good school in broxbourne/hoddesdon not sure if they are too far away or if they have places.

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 19/01/2010 09:15

one is in hoddeson cant remeber name ofhand but it not long came out of special measures

there neares schools apparently 11 miles away so would need transport

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bruffin · 19/01/2010 09:31

That would be Sheredes although parents I know there say it is improving.

The other two are Broxbourne and John Warner are very good.

webwiz · 19/01/2010 09:38

I think I would get him on every continuing interest list Bishops Stortford High, Hockerill, Birchwood, Leventhorpe and I'd still try St Mary's as well even if you aren't a catholic and go for appeal at the one you think you have the best chance at. How does your son feel about it all? He might have to put up with a bit of disruption before he gets a school you are happy with.

sb6699 · 19/01/2010 10:58

You need to get him on the continuing interest lists for every school. Because Bishops Stortford is so close to the airport, people are moving in and out of the area all the time as alot of them have jobs that mean they have to travel.

Have you tried Stansted Mountfitchet College? If you can get DS to the train station at Sawbridgeworth, there is a station in Stansted.

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 19/01/2010 12:27

hes doing really well considering the upheaval and yanking him out the town where hes lived all his life

not tried Stansted mountfitchet but will give them a call thank you

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Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 04/02/2010 06:00

looks like he might get into Birchwood or hockhill we have meetings with both today so fingerscrossed will get something sorted.

I love my kids but having all 4 at home is driving me mad

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webwiz · 04/02/2010 08:54

Best of luck Phoenix

daphnedill · 06/02/2010 19:49

Sorry to worry you, but I'm a supply teacher and I wouldn't touch Sheredes or Mountfitchet with a barge pole. Have you tried Birchwood...not brilliant, but OK. Make sure you keep your name on Leventhorpe's and Bishop Stortford High's waiting list. You have the right to get Herts to pay for a school in Essex, as some are nearer than 11 miles. However, I would also avoid the Harlow schools. Chauncy in Ware is preferable to Sheredes.

daphnedill · 06/02/2010 19:53

Just seen your message about Birchwood and Hockerill. Be aware that Hockerill is very high-powered and puts a lot of pressure on its pupils. Birchwood has had its problems in the past, but is good if your DS is not Einstein.

Good luck!

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 12/02/2010 05:10

thank you

seems birchwood is full to ,

ds is on the academic side no idea where that came from especially with maths ,science and geography historybut least he takes after me in art lol we both can not draw so something to bear in mind.

Hockerhill is good but ds hates languages not good as it is their speciality

Yes i was not impressed with the scoohls in Harlow either

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webwiz · 12/02/2010 12:04

Was there actually a place at Hockerill? He might like languages if he is taught them at a school that specialises in them. Normally people will do anything to get their kids in - I think they get at least 7 applications for every place. I know quite a few people who have paid for boarding when they don't need it to have a greater chance of getting in (its a state boarding school).

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 13/02/2010 05:34

when we first contacted them it was no but we put down continuing intrest .They phoned said might be a place come Easter but ds really does not want do languages .But then i was the same was not till I was in my twenties thatI wanted to learn one.

But in meantime still leaves ds without a school and for fact hes teenager on Monday he really does enjoy school and is missing it

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daphnedill · 15/02/2010 01:23

Just letting you know that Mountfitchet has gone into special measures. Avoid!

daphnedill · 15/02/2010 01:27

Also, if he really hates languages, he'll probably struggle at Hockerill.

sb6699 · 15/02/2010 01:35

Has it? Had no idea - feel a bit bad suggesting it now.

I went to the Open Evening at Birchwood (think that's where DS will probably be offered even though its not our first choice) and was pleasantly surprised.

They have spent loads of money on it recently and the facilities are fantastic. Even though its not "the best" school in B.S, when you compare it with the UK average its still pretty good.

What about Newport or Saffron Walden - not sure if they are too far away to be practical but they have good reputations.

webwiz · 15/02/2010 10:48

If he is year 8 he will be really behind in languages by now at Hockerill as they take language GCSEs in year 9 but that would mean they would have to offer some one-to-one teaching to help him to catch up. He could always try it and keep your name down at other schools.

It must be very frustrating for you are you going to try an appeal anywhere?

Original poster
Phoenix4725 · 15/02/2010 13:29

Am thinking of appealing at ,Birchwood , leventhorpe and BS high though did find birchwood most helpfull .Others are not intrested till we sign on the first

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sb6699 · 15/02/2010 14:52

Something to bear in mind is that BS is also very "academic" as with Hockerill so if he's already a bit behind he might struggle without tuition.

One of the reasons I was so happy with Birchwood is that I dont think my DS is particularly academic (prefers making & doing) and I know they offer/have the facilities for him to progress in this area whereas I feel he might struggle with Hockerill.

Really hope you get somewhere with Leventhorpe - it would make your life so much easier if he was at school a bit closer than B.S.

daphnedill · 15/02/2010 15:30

You'll probably find that the waiting list at BS High is already very long, which is probably why they're not too bothered about encouraging you.

It's a heck of a journey to both Saffron Walden and Newport. You'd have to take your DD every day. Both are also full, although I got my DD into SWCHS at the beginning of Year 9. However, we live in catchment.

I hope you get somewhere with Leventhorpe, too, and I'm sure you will if you make sure your name remains on their waiting list.

hocuspontas · 15/02/2010 15:36

Mountfichet was a 'most improved' school in 2006. What a shame that it now has the 'special measures' tag and all the negative connotations that implies. Hopefully it will improve again. If you look at the league tables I think it does pretty well at GCSE considering the above average SEN figure (nearly 40% last year).

Definitely appeal. Leventhorpe would be your best bet - great school AND within walking/cycling distance. Good luck.

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