My local school

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Christina Hopkinson: In praise of my local Islington primary school

The best decision we've made as a family is to send our children to our local primary school, Thornhill, in Islington. I'm continually surprised by how much better it is in every way to the rural faith primary I attended many years ago. The teaching is dynamic and creative and my eldest has flourished both socially and academically without in ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Clara Klat: "Christina's experience is very similar to my own. My son has almost completed his first term in reception at our local school- Addison Primary in Hammersmith which has just received a good and improved Ofsted report. Choosing Addison felt like ......"

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Francis Gilbert: It’s not only “left-wing nutters” who believe in great local schools for all

Toby Young's latest attack on the Local Schools Network in his Telegraph blog tries to lampoon us as "left-wing nutters". Cut behind all his silly verbiage, sneering innuendo and self-publicising grand-standing and you find that the thing he really resents is that we believe that EVERY child should go to a great local school. He is, at heart, an "elitist" who wants to educate his "chosen ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Right wing nutter in spittle-laced rage over opposition to his vanity project | Guy Debord's Cat: "[...] actually read Francis Gilbert’s blog on the LSN site and I have to say that Tobes has bitten off more than he can chew – which is [...]..."

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Marie Faulkner: My Local School

I attended a school in the London Borough of Hillingdon, Douay Martyrs School. A school riddled with bad rumours as well as a few bad realities, no more than you would expect at a secondary school, that does not take part in selection/or cherry picking and full up with teenagers. Like many others who have published articles on this website. I believe ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Imogen humphris: "agreed. I was thinking this evening that there's a big difference between what society deems as a capable person and the qualities that you describe. I have always got pretty average grades overall but the moment I left university I ......"

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Andrew Berry: I strongly believe all schools should be comprehensive, mixed and secular.

I am a socialist and member of the Labour party I am opposed to much of the damage done to the comprehensive system under the previous New Labour government. However what the coalition is doing is taking the destruction of state education even further. I stood as a parent governor to oppose any opt out of the school to defend ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Marc Draco: "Politically, I'm a pragmatist and that's the attitude that serves education best, I think. Nu Labour's education policy was a disaster and Michael Gove (under the coalition) has taken that lousy idea and cheapened it beyond belief. Academies serve little or no ......"

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Dominic Self: Comprehensive education is a privilege

In the year that I joined my local state comprehensive, its GCSE results were below the national average. All around me, parents were engaged in frantic efforts to get their children into selective schools, or faith schools, or private schools, or else move out of London altogether. But I will be forever grateful that my parents spared me this destructive ... read more and comment →

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Ali Messer: Existing state comprehensive schools can be excellent

I have two daughters who attend an excellent state school (Waldegrave School) a few minutes walk from the house. They chose this school though there were other very good state schools also in easy travelling distance. Why is it an excellent school? Students know they are there to learn. Academic results are very good as a result of some inspired teaching. ... read more and comment →

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Michael McDonald: All children benefit from smaller classes

School scheduled for closure, too few pupils, class sizes of 12 -15. Staff, governors, parents and the local community saved the school from closure by the LA. Needed a planned campaign to win the battle. School now thriving with great pupil teacher ratios for disadvantaged children. read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Francis Gilbert: "Yes, this does sound worrying. Is this going to be a running theme in the coming years? It makes the arguments for free schools even more untenable...."

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Melissa Benn: Beware the word on the street – and the page

Two recent  encounters, one in person, one in print,  have reminded me of the dangers of taking other people's often simplistic or ill informed word concerning the merits of local schools. Some of you involved in the LSN might remember David Wood's, London's chief adviser on schools, wise warning in January this year about parents rejecting good and even outstanding ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Francis Gilbert: "Yes, I agree that there is no substitute for looking at school properly yourself. The Ofsted report is generally much more reliable than the league table stuff too...."

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Tim Hoy: The most successful state schools run on commitment, support and minimum interference of government.

I am a 50 year old parent whose son (now 29) went to Holland Park Comprehensive and daughter (now 14) still attends Queens Park Community School in NW London. I was formerly the Chair of governors at Donnington Primary School and remain active on the PTA (my wife Sian is co chair). I only remained in full time education until I ... read more and comment →

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Kate Malleson: middle class parents don’t realise the transformation which has taken place in state schools in the last 15 years

Most parents seem happy to send their children to their local primary school. The problems arise at the secondary school stage where we all join in a collective hysteria based on a belief that most comprehensives have low academic and behavioural standards. The fear is that our children will underachieve and be drawn into a world of 'street culture'. These ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Andrew Hampton: "I agree that Dunraven is an excellent school. I went to visit it in the early naughties and found many genuinely good things happening. The challenge is to bring other schools up to their standard...."

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