High wycombe crime rates!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Guest
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solimum
INtake
This fascinating document
http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/upl ... 06_512.pdf
includes the KS2 intake scores for all the specialist secondary schools in the country (now the majority)
The Chalfonts average score (for the 2006 GCSE cohort) was 27.1, which is actually spot on the average for all 2000+ non-selective specialists combined across the country. However I can't find the Beaconsfield High school in the list (presumably it doesn't have a specialism) so can't help with the debate above. The apparent local area of the school may not be reflected in the intake if there is a local grammar school which is preferred
http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/upl ... 06_512.pdf
includes the KS2 intake scores for all the specialist secondary schools in the country (now the majority)
The Chalfonts average score (for the 2006 GCSE cohort) was 27.1, which is actually spot on the average for all 2000+ non-selective specialists combined across the country. However I can't find the Beaconsfield High school in the list (presumably it doesn't have a specialism) so can't help with the debate above. The apparent local area of the school may not be reflected in the intake if there is a local grammar school which is preferred
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Guest
Firstly, Beaconsfield High School is a girls grammar school, which has specialisms in both technology and languages.
The Beaconsfield School is an upper school, which incidentally, is situated virtually opposite the High School. (Just to add to congestion in the area, the High School is opposite Butlers Court Middle school, and just round the corner, is Davenies boys prep.)
The Beaconsfield School is now a specialist arts college. It acquired itself a new head about a year ago, who has worked his socks off to turn the school around. Simple steps, like standing outside the school and greeting students as they arrive, modifying the uniform (which is now very smart) and doing his best to instill a feeling of pride in the students, are all having an impact. I do not have a child there, and did not visit it, but friends who have have been almost universally impressed. I have even heard of a parent with a child on course to pass the eleven plus, who ranked it first choice (above the grammars) after visiting. That said, two other friends looked at it and dismissed it, being unhappy with either the teachers or the students.
I gather (correctly or otherwise), that the Beaconsfield School has a large intake from outside leafy Beaconsfield, but as the image of the school improves, it is likely that the number of Beaconsfield children attending will increase.
So, the current position of the Beaconsfield School in league tables may not be any indication of its real worth. Also, don't forget that there is much more to a school than its position in such tables. My children attend a school that's always been quite high in the league tables, but I am singularly unhappy with it.
The Beaconsfield School is an upper school, which incidentally, is situated virtually opposite the High School. (Just to add to congestion in the area, the High School is opposite Butlers Court Middle school, and just round the corner, is Davenies boys prep.)
The Beaconsfield School is now a specialist arts college. It acquired itself a new head about a year ago, who has worked his socks off to turn the school around. Simple steps, like standing outside the school and greeting students as they arrive, modifying the uniform (which is now very smart) and doing his best to instill a feeling of pride in the students, are all having an impact. I do not have a child there, and did not visit it, but friends who have have been almost universally impressed. I have even heard of a parent with a child on course to pass the eleven plus, who ranked it first choice (above the grammars) after visiting. That said, two other friends looked at it and dismissed it, being unhappy with either the teachers or the students.
I gather (correctly or otherwise), that the Beaconsfield School has a large intake from outside leafy Beaconsfield, but as the image of the school improves, it is likely that the number of Beaconsfield children attending will increase.
So, the current position of the Beaconsfield School in league tables may not be any indication of its real worth. Also, don't forget that there is much more to a school than its position in such tables. My children attend a school that's always been quite high in the league tables, but I am singularly unhappy with it.
The Chalfonts is my catchment secondary, and I know quite a few childern who go there.
Five/six years ago it was not that good, but It seems that it has improved a lot recently and many parents say that they are impressed with the school. Pupils who are now in the sixth form also notice the difference.
Five/six years ago it was not that good, but It seems that it has improved a lot recently and many parents say that they are impressed with the school. Pupils who are now in the sixth form also notice the difference.
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Guest
The new head at Beaconsfield School is indeed doing a great job (was deputy at the Chalfonts) but fear it is a huge job to turn the school round. The boys particularly fare badly there and only 13% of the boys entered for GCSE maths scored a grade C or above (8 boys in total). I think the school has truggled to find and retain good maths teachers. I have a son there and have tried to get him transferred to the Chalfont Community College for these reasons.
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Guest
Sorry Guest55 my post is very misleading. I was looking at the 5 GCSE's including Maths and English A-C grade in which only 8 boys out of 62 achieved. (13%.) Girls fared better with I think 46% achieving 5 A-C passed giving an overall of 31%. Just did not think this was good enough particularly compared to the Chalfonts and the Misbourne.
