Secondary School Admissions

Becles

He's quite good at mixing and seems to make friends easily. On holiday, he always manages to make friends and go off with other children, and at home he mixes with children who go to the other school.

He's still keen on the Catholic school but understands he might not get in, so we have to look at the others and then see if he still feels the same.

Husband said we should put a letter in with the Catholic school application too, just stating what he is like. I don't mean to sound big headed, but he's very bright for his age. He's above average in Maths and English and has a reading age of 14. We always make sure he does his homework properly, reads books and encourage him to find out more about things he is interested in. He has always had high attendance at school, and was there 100% last school year. If we write a letter saying all this and how much he'll appreciate a chance there, they might be sympathetic. He really will work hard and achieve something, rather than doss around for 5 years and leave with nothing.

mrcow

Becles wrote: »

Husband said we should put a letter in with the Catholic school application too, just stating what he is like. I don't mean to sound big headed, but he's very bright for his age. He's above average in Maths and English and has a reading age of 14. We always make sure he does his homework properly, reads books and encourage him to find out more about things he is interested in. He has always had high attendance at school, and was there 100% last school year. If we write a letter saying all this and how much he'll appreciate a chance there, they might be sympathetic. He really will work hard and achieve something, rather than doss around for 5 years and leave with nothing.

Just a thought as I don't know if you can do this as I've not had the joy of any secondary school selections yet , but rather than just writing a letter, why don't you call the school and see if you can make an appointment with the head and actually tell them all of this as well as the letter.

It's something I'd certainly be attempting to do. The head will know the ins and outs of the selection process and would also perhaps be able to give you an accurate idea of how likely an admission would be based on current criteria. Perhaps the fact that your son is also considering being confirmed may help to sway the decision too?

It can't hurt can it? Just an idea.

Savvy_Sue

That's something you need to check. The school may say that actually it won't make a blind bit of difference because it's all done 'blind' from the application form than using ANY form of selection.

ailuro2

I'd do what it took to try to keep him with his friends. If he is happy at school then he is likely to do better.

As for him being a bit soft and sensitive,perhaps now would be a good time to get him interested in martial arts/self defence training- whichever school he goes to there will be a big bunch of kids older and bigger than him, it would be good for his self-confidence to learn a few tricks to defend himself in 'big school' PErhaps his friends would go too, so even if they split up at schools they still keep in touch through sports?

mrcow

ailuro2 wrote: »

As for him being a bit soft and sensitive,perhaps now would be a good time to get him interested in martial arts/self defence training- whichever school he goes to there will be a big bunch of kids older and bigger than him, it would be good for his self-confidence to learn a few tricks to defend himself in 'big school' PErhaps his friends would go too, so even if they split up at schools they still keep in touch through sports?

Even better, join the local rugby team!

It's great exercise and the season's just starting, it gets you used to a little rough and tumble and it's a great way to meet friends and join in on local events etc. and unlike martial arts, it's not all about fighting etc.

My son's subs are just £2 per week and he has a great time.

Becles

Thanks for the suggestions.

I phoned the LEA for advice today, but spoke to a useless woman who could only reply "I can't really say" to every question I asked :rolleyes:

The head at primary has an "open door" policy before and after school, so we're going to pop in and ask his advice when the schools go back.

Son has been on the school websites again and has discovered school C has a fantastic dinner menu and biometric cards to pay for your meals. He seems keen on that school now, but I'm not sure he should be picking a school on who serves the best dinners

mrcow

Becles wrote: »

He seems keen on that school now, but I'm not sure he should be picking a school on who serves the best dinners

It's as good as criteria as any to a ten year old

Savvy_Sue

mrcow wrote: »

It's as good as criteria as any to a ten year old

And surely more important than many ...

Bless. I wouldn't tell him that within a year they might ALL have biometric dinner cards! Or even that they might be so used to them at either of the other schools that they didn't think to mention them! :rotfl:

Spendless

Which school do most of the children who live locally to you go to?

Becles

Most of the children who have attened the other infants and junior schools go to school D. There is a boy my son is friendly with starting tomorrow and a girl over the road going next Sept, so he would know those at least.