When we said our son would go to our local school, people were horrified. Bad reputation, poor teaching. I began volunteering there ( was working p/t) then became a governor for five years. New head, new staff, new governors, hard work. My husband became a governor. I went back to being a parent again! Our son (now in year 4) has thrived ... read more and comment →
I'm a lecturer in education and particularly interested in children learning English as an additional language and the teachers who work with them. Queens Park Community School is my local school and I have been fortunate enough to be welcomed there both as a researcher and a volunteer in their excellent mathematics department. As a researcher I have been deeply ... read more and comment →
It went all the way back to when we were looking at houses to move into when our daughter was 1 year old. The people selling would take one look at the baby dribbling on the floor and go into lengthy spiels detailing all the schools in the area and why if we bought their house we'd be able to get ... read more and comment →
Eight years ago I began the secondary transfer process for my eldest daughter. It seemed obvious to me that she should proceed from our local primary school to our local secondary school. I didn't consider it necessary to look at any other schools; being part of our local community carried greater weight for me than any misleading information given on ... read more and comment →
My son, aged 4 years and 11 months, started infant school in September. I have been greatly encouraged by the school's standards of teaching and pastoral care and its engagement with potentially nervous/protective parents like me. I am delighted that such a well-equipped, well-run, friendly school can do all this and be a big part of our local community under ... read more and comment →
My son is in Year 6 of primary school in Tower Hamlets; there's real anxiety amongst the parents at his school about choosing a secondary school. The local comprehensive, within LA control, despite being radically improved, has a "bad" reputation. All sorts of rumours are floating around about it; students being stabbed there, rampant bullying, drugs. All sorts. Many parents ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Niki di Palma: "My son is at a Tower Hamlets secondary. He's had/having a fantastic experience and academically is doing extremely well. The school is approachable and the teaching is excellent. And he doesn't have to wear a 'Billy Bunter' style uniform so ......"
Comment + Debate
All my children have been to the schools closest to where we live - Gospel Oak Primary School, William Ellis and Parliament Hill. People are often shocked when I tell them that we didn't look at ANY others. They have all thrived, achieved well academically ( two have now graduated from university) and benefited from being part of a wide ... read more and comment →
Latest comment by Nigel Ford: "In the week when year 6 parents are learning of the decision about their school choices it is worth noting the beneficial effect of choosing a local school on the wider community when that school doesn't happen to be London ......"
Comment + Debate
As a former pupil of Queens Park Community School in North West London, I am proud to be a product of the diverse benefits of local comprehensive schools. I was at QPCS for seven years, completing both my GCSE’s and A-Levels with the utmost academic support contrary to the misconceptions people may have about the credibility of local schools and ... read more and comment →
Schools in Merton are hugely handicapped by the existence of grammar schools in nearby boroughs who are keen to cherry pick the most academic pupils whilst ignoring students with special needs. The staff however refuse to allow this to be a problem. They have high expectations for ALL the children in their care and work tirelessly to help students achieve ... read more and comment →
I went to a local state primary school (Victoria School, in Berkamsted, Herts) which was, fortunately, very close to where we lived. The fact it was so local played an important part in helping me gain a sense of independence and responsibility as a child: my sister and I were allowed to walk to school on our own, and it's ... read more and comment →
