The Education system in the UK is a postcode lottery! Like many of our public services where you live will have a huge bearing on the school you attend and the options open to you when choosing a secondary school. Unfortunately, money will also play a part as it impacts on where you can afford to send your child.
Some counties will have a middle school that aims to bridge the gap between primary and secondary schools. Typically children attend from age 10-13 and then move to a high school for GCSE’s and beyond.
In Gloucestershire, we do not have middle schools so children move from primary schools to secondary schools at 11 years old. Each secondary school will have its own admission guide and as parents, you need to be aware of the way the school selects its pupils.
What About Parental Choice?
We have parental choice – but that choice is limited as many schools are oversubscribed so although you are free to request a place at any school it doesn’t mean you will get your preference, and parental choice is only stating a preference, not a right! In reality, if you don’t live within a certain distance from the school you are unlikely to allocate a place. This is why MUST understand the admissions policy before selecting a school.
Gloucester Grammar School
Gloucester is in a unique position as there are several Gloucester grammar school offering higher ability children a school focussed on an academic pathway. The Gloucester Grammar Schools include Ribston High School (for girls only) Denmark Road School for Girls, Sir Thomas Riches (boys school) and The Crypt (co-ed school). Stroud also has grammar schools and Cheltenham has Pates, which is one of the best schools in the country!
To get a place in one of these grammar schools children must sit an 11+ exam in September of their Year Six. All children must be pre-registered for the test in June before. The dates must be strictly adhered too – put it in your diary now!
The result of the test is given to parents in mid-October before the closing date for submitting your school preferences. You will be given your child’s ranking if they scored in the top percentage and this will enable you to see which school they are likely to be successful for. Again there are no offers at this stage, it is just a ranking of where your child came in the test.
Applying for a grammar school is always quite an emotional process and many parents will tutor their child for the entrance tests. The tests consist of Maths and English skills including non verbal reasoning. This is often not taught in schools due to time constraints and therefore it is advisable to practice prior to the 11+ exam.
Paying for tutoring is quite a contentious issue with many parents having strong views, however, I liken it to a driving test, you’d never go and sit the test without some driving lessons beforehand and I view academic tutoring the same way. At the start, I mentioned the cost of education and tutoring is one example. You can do online tutoring, group or 1 to 1.
A Comprehensive Education
If you are not going down the Gloucester Grammar School route then you still have plenty of choice and important decisions to make. The comprehensive schools are dispersed throughout the city and again all have their entry requirements. There are no single sex schools as Barnwood started accepting boys recently and the others are co-ed too.
St Peters is a comprehensive school but does draw on faith as an entry requirement, therefore look at the admissions policy. They also offer a few scholarships for drama, dance, and excellence in sport so worth looking at if you like the school.
A comprehensive school offers a wide range of courses and having taught in three comprehensive schools and my children going to a comp I know those good kids will often rise to the top no matter which school they attend.
Choosing a Secondary School
There are several things in addition to a location to consider when choosing a secondary school.
Firstly how will they get to secondary school? Will they walk or cycle? Is there a school bus that they can use. Remember the cost of transport is down to the parents not the local authority (unless exceptional circumstances) I pay about £600 per year for a school bus pass. This is a fixed cost if you choose to send your child to a school that they cannot walk too.
Visit the school – most schools will have an open evening where the school puts on a display of what they offer. The headteacher will usually address the prospective parents on their vision for the school. This is really helpful for understanding the school’s ethos. Schools also offer tours in the day where you can visit the school on a guided walk.
League tables will provide evidence of the school’s current academic results. This is important but not the only factor in a great school. League tables can still be manipulated and are not as clear cut as they seem!
Ofsted reports will also help you make an opinion about a school, however check the date of inspection as things change. Oftsed reports are weighted towards exam results so do read the written account too and see what is being addressed by the school.
Trust your gut. There is much to be said for getting a feel of a school. Do you like how the school looks, are there vibrant displays, do the children seem happy – do the staff? What extra curricular activities are there? My eldest quickly joined the hockey club and that changed everything for her. 9 years later she choose her university based on hockey and she plays at a high competitive level. School is more than academia!
Whose decision is it? I sent my children to a school they didn’t want to go to initially. I made the decision based on my understanding and with their best interests at heart. It was the right decision but peer pressure and friendship issues can all be important when choosing secondary school. Do talk to your child about their thoughts and then do what’s best as a family.
Check the school website as it will explain their policies and ethos. This again can be a good way to find out more about a school including its community aspect.
Private Schools
Of course there are still more alternatives including the private sector and home educating. Both are legal and options open to parents. Private Schools will offer bursaries for some students so it is worth looking their websites for details.
Summary
Choosing a secondary school is a big deal and will shape your child’s future. Don’t rush the process and make sure you do your research. Many start considering their options in year 5 if not before and if you go down the Gloucester Grammar School route you may wish to start tutoring at the start of yr 5 and often there are waiting lists for the best tutors. It is competitive so your child needs to understand that! There are many things to be considered when choosing secondary school so take your time.
