How do we apply for a Secondary school in an area miles away ?

FBaby

Also wanted to add, think hard about the worthiness of it all. In my town, good schools come and go. As stated above, the one school that was on remedial measures when we moved in ended up with better SATS results last year (so 2 years later) than the school that had an OFSTED report of 1 last year. Similarly, we had a choice of two secondary schools for my daughter. Both were performing similarly, but one was much more popular with parents for some reasons. I assumed my daughter would go there, although a bit further away until we visited both schools and all agreed we liked the other one better. 2 years later, our chosen school got the best ever GSCEs results at 71% whilst the other got a result of 50%. Someone said that teaching morale was at its lowest and their might be a link. I am so pleased we went with our closest school.

All this to say, don't assume a school is much better than another just because of an OFSTED report. Ask about the headteacher, have they been there for some time or are they new. Are they likely to retire and if so, what is the plan to replace them? Same thing with the local schools.

jazzypinkpuppet

thanks so much for all your replies it is good to get other peoples perspective, I keep thinking I have made the right decision and then change my mind. We currently live in the catchment for several 'outstanding' schools and he is in a feeder school for one but they just don't seem right for him. The other school is 'good' but it is the style of teaching and alternative practical courses available to him that appeal to us, he is not traditionally academic along with several additional needs, and this school allows children to drop certain GCSES and do apprenticeships and practical qualifications instead, it seems like it could give him the best chance in life . OOOOh being a mum is so hard sometimes isn't it .

jackyann

I know that practice varies from LEA to LEA, but I would think that if your son is on "school action" then the SENCo should have some understanding of his needs & whether the local schools would be helpful.
I have worked in LEAs where the Educational Psychologists did occasional "drop-in" sessions at schools - even if they couldn't spend much time with a child, they could look up the notes & give general advice.
So I would begin by approaching your son's teacher and ask who in the school is best placed to discuss his future education.
I would also contact your chosen school and ask to speak to the SENCo - they will also know about admission criteria.
My concern about travelling so far is the amount of time that could be better spent either going over work to ensure understanding, or simply relaxing after a difficult day. His relationships with other kids will be difficult as well if he can't join in with them outside of school (of course, you can weather those things for a while if you are going to move)

thegirlintheattic

Most (if not all) LEAs require you to have actually moved (or exchanged) to apply on a catchment basis. Be very careful and study the admissions requirements and the local area. For example, if there is a big class from the feeder school children might need to live closer to be admitted, so your best buying a house very close.

jazzypinkpuppet

Thankyou everyone

[QUOTE=
My concern about travelling so far is the amount of time that could be better spent either going over work to ensure understanding, or simply relaxing after a difficult day. His relationships with other kids will be difficult as well if he can't join in with them outside of school (of course, you can weather those things for a while if you are going to move)[/QUOTE]

Thanks, yes I 100 % agree we would move before he started the school, I was just not sure on when we would need to move.

I have spoken to the SENCO who has said the school we would like him to go to sounds very suitable, however she also said one of the schools close to where we are now has a excellent SEN department and he would get good support although it is very academically focused so his self esteem (which is very low) may not be helped. I just don't know what to do for the best.

jackyann

jazzypinkpuppet wrote: »

Thankyou everyone



Thanks, yes I 100 % agree we would move before he started the school, I was just not sure on when we would need to move.

I have spoken to the SENCO who has said the school we would like him to go to sounds very suitable, however she also said one of the schools close to where we are now has a excellent SEN department and he would get good support although it is very academically focused so his self esteem (which is very low) may not be helped. I just don't know what to do for the best.

I am a bit unclear as to whether the SENCo said the academic focus may not help his self esteem, or whether you have assumed it. I have known schools who do very well with their SEN departments and their academic achievements - the 2 are not mutually exclusive, and a really good school celebrates all pupils' achievements at all levels.

FBaby

What about friends? Does he have any right now? Where will they go? If his self-esteem is a bit low, finding himself in a school he knows no one might be a scary prospect. Have you discussed it with him at all? Did you visit all the schools with him?

Spendless

Would the school the SENCO mentioned be able to provide support for his self-esteem? My son doesn't have special needs but following some incidents in year 7 we asked for help with his self-esteem and he got 1-2-1 sessions for a few weeks. My friend's son is getting the same support at the minute.

jazzypinkpuppet

jackyann wrote: »

I am a bit unclear as to whether the SENCo said the academic focus may not help his self esteem, or whether you have assumed it. I have known schools who do very well with their SEN departments and their academic achievements - the 2 are not mutually exclusive, and a really good school celebrates all pupils' achievements at all levels.

His Senco said that this particular school is very academically focused and as he struggles with feeling like he can't do things and is always 'worst' in his class she said it might not be the best school for him although their SEN department is very good and he would get help.

jazzypinkpuppet

FBaby wrote: »

What about friends? Does he have any right now? Where will they go? If his self-esteem is a bit low, finding himself in a school he knows no one might be a scary prospect. Have you discussed it with him at all? Did you visit all the schools with him?

Yes he has lots of friends and is very sociable, the one thing he likes about school are his friends. We have visited all the schools with him, and talk to him about everything after all it is his life and he is the one who has to spend his days there. We asked him to draw a list of pros and cons his pros were it is in the countryside, big playing fields, has lots of animals like horses and cows, and he likes the idea of getting a new house, the only con was he didn't really like the uniform. I said to him about leaving his friends and he said he might be sad but would 'just get new ones'

Ideally we would stay here, we have a nice house, my mum lives up the road, I also have a nice little part time job that I would have to leave.
My worst fear is he will go to a school where he will struggle to do G.C.S.E's that he can't cope with and leaves with no qualifications and bleak prospects, the other school offers so many options for different practical Qualifications but then who is to say he would want to peruse a career in those things, I also worry about selling him short he does have quite a few extra needs and problems but I don't want to assume he won't do well in the traditional school system, he is only nine after all ! I wish I had a magic ball that would tell me the right thing to do.