After primary school - What next

By lazydays at 10:17 on 23/09/09

Re-post

My son started his final year at primary school at the beginning of September. A few days later a letter dropped through my letter box explaining the different options we have for the next stage of his education.

Yesterday we visited Park school, which presented us with a dynamic and professional presentation. We were greeted by young musicians playing guitars, drum and keyboard and then escorted on a tour around the school by a teacher and two shining young examples of students.
We saw several classes of different ages and abilities being taught and all the students looked interested and involved in the lessons.
Well done Park school - I was impessed, although I did wonder where you had hidden the naughty students!!

Next week we visit Pilton College and then on the 14th October we visit Bideford college.
We then only have two days to make a decision and submit our application for the school of our choice.

Sometimes I just wish that the choice was not there and then I would not risk making the wrong choice!!

Anybody got any advice?

By lazydays at 10:17 on 23/09/09
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When we visited Park School we saw a class where the children looked miserable and a class where the teacher appeared to be asleep!

We chose Pilton and my son loves it.

However, I hear good things about both schools and luckily they are quite different so the choice shouldn't be too difficult.

We didn't bother with Bideford (which is a shame as it is the closest school). I was determined not to be swayed by general consensus but on the visit day someone was stabbed and it put me off! I had also seen a lot of chewing gum on the ground at a previous visit to the school ... I can't stand that!

Good luck and go with your instincts and those of your son - being happy to go to a new school on the first day goes a long way to making the whole experience easier for all of you.

By biddy_blogger at 10:35 on 23/09/09
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Well, yesterday we visited Pilton Community College. Again we were greeted by an array of cakes and a choice of tea or coffee - no musicians this time!

The morning started with several students mingling with the potential students and their parents and answering any questions we may have. We met two delightful young boys who obviously really enjoyed the school.
This was a good idea, although we did only get the chance to speak to the top students.

A gentleman from County Hall then stood at the front and gave us a little talk on admissions -
Not sure that this was very useful as the information required was all in the mailing which had been sent to us previously.

Another lady gave a small talk - although I have to confess I had gone into a dream world by now!

We then went on our allocated tours - us being in posession of a green card and taking the tour with a very pleasant lady.
When told to ask any questions, my husband whispered, "ask her if her toes go right to the end of her shoes!" - he always was the naughty one at school!!

We went to a few classrooms, where students appeared a little lethargic - it was coming up to lunch time though.

On the whole I have to say that I did prefer the presentation given by Park school, although several in our group preferred the Pilton presentation.

This decision is getting harder - what will happen when we visit Bideford in a fortnight's time?

Anybody else there yesterday or at Park last week who can give me some help?

By lazydays at 10:21 on 29/09/09
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Today we visited Bideford college, a little close to the closing date for online applications in my opinion.

Prospective students with their parents met in the reception, although the numbers were well down on the presentations made at Pilton and Park schools. We were escorted to the Stucley hall where we were shown a short slide show, while a few other people and students arrived (late)

The headteacher introduced herself and also introduced us to the deputy head and two other members of the teaching staff. She then gave a short presentation with the aid of an overhead projector stating her aims and visions for the school now and for the future, with the key word being "RESPECT"

We were then divided into three groups for the tour of the school.
We visited several classes, mostly sixth form classes and top sets. It would have been interesting to have seen a few foundation level lessons being taught. Our tour guide for the morning was helpful and informative, although if he ever gives up teaching he should consider a career in politics, as several questions were not answered directly!
We could not help noticing the amount of litter around the school (inside and out) and also the amount of chewing gum stains over corridor floors and carpets and also in the outside areas. Let's hope this changes when the new school opens, as there was little "RESPECT" being shown for the premises at the moment!

We returned to the Stucley hall for a quick questions and answers session before the students invaded the dining hall for their break time snacks.

Overall today we have been pleasantly surprised by Bideford college. The students looked involved in their lessons and the teachers appeared to be enjoying teaching them!
I did not think that today would have any influence over my final decision, however it really has thrown a spanner in the works!!
Once Bideford has the new building up and running I am sure it is going to be one of the top North Devon schools.

By lazydays at 20:49 on 12/10/09
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I am starting to consider Bideford for my daughter who will leave primary school in 2011.

As I mentioned before we chose Pilton for my son and discounted Bideford.

Obviously we will scruitinise the college before making any decisions but I did think that a new building and the publicity surrounding it may attract new staff and better attitudes towards learning.

By biddy_blogger at 15:03 on 14/10/09
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So Lazydays - which one did you choose?

By Nonnie_Mouse at 15:44 on 30/10/09
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Monday is offer day - the day parents find out which secondary schools have given them a place for their children.

Lazydays, let us know if you got the school of your choice.

By Hyperlocal at 09:25 on 27/02/10
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Today my son was up by 7.00am! I had a feeling it was probably because the placements for secondary school are allocated and would be e mailed through during the course of the day. He checked the e mail account several times before going to school, although he did try not to make it look too obvious - heaven forbid he should look as though he is taking an interest in his education! The e mail arrived after my son had left for school and I am delighted that he got his first choice of school. My son will be going to Park school in Barnstaple. The only problem now is......... have we made the right choice? Time will tell.

By lazydays at 18:17 on 01/03/10
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