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Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 12:54 pm
by stressed mom
We were offered a place at Bennetts off the waiting list and have now won an appeal for Hillview - very divided over which school would suit our daughter? would be grateful for any comments from anyone with expreience of either of the two schools

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 1:15 pm
by mystery
I personally would go for Bennett Memorial any day ........but I don't know what your criteria are for choosing between the two. Have you taken a good look at the subject by subject GCSE results for both schools, and at A level successes ----- Bennett gets some children who get a really good string of As at A'level, the headteacher is an Oxbridge classicist with first class honours who failed the 11+.

Well done for having the choice of both.

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 1:33 pm
by sherry_d
If you havent got a strong opinion on either schools, I would go for Bennett for the simple reason its stronger academically.

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 1:37 pm
by stressed mom
Thanks - my daughter loves Ballet and Drama, but a good education is the main criteria and I want her to be happy and pushed to her potential. She is quiet and needs encouragement to prove herself.

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 1:44 pm
by sherry_d
stressed mom wrote:my daughter loves Ballet and Drama
I take the specialism bit of schools with a pinch of salt. You can always find her something outside school.

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 6:06 pm
by tonbridgemum
I think the pastoral side at bennett is outstanding so maybe your DD would benefit from this. Also think about the fact its a mixed school, does this affect your thoughts?
Not many mixed schools around here, particularly with a good reputation.
Long term might even be worth looking at what subjects they offer for GCSE - check they suit your child! Good luck! :D

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 6:11 pm
by stressed mom
At first I prefered all girls but I do think mixed may take away some of the nastiness that happens at all girls schools. I will have a look at GCSE subjects - thank you

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 11:33 am
by mystery
This is an old thread but I'm starting to think about secondary schools now. I've just been looking at the latest DfE performance tables for KS4 and the new style is very revealing. You can see what percentage of that cohort went in with level 5s, level 4s, less than level 4s, and you can see whether they have made "expected progress or not".

Hillview maths is dismal (51% making expected progress in maths) despite the school having recently been judged outstanding .... I'm starting to think it really is not worth reading an OFSTED report at all. Or maybe maths is not considered an important part of secondary education these days.

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:02 pm
by tigger2
Mystery...I have just had a look at the results for Hillview and Bennett . The 51% for maths in Hillview's figures references 'low prior attainment' and then I think its 78% for 'middle prior attainment' and then for high prior attainment. Do you know what these prior attainment levels are in terms of NC levels? I have had a quick look but can't find it on the D of E website.

Thanks !
Tigger

Re: Bennetts or Hillview

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 4:03 pm
by mystery
For maths, it's 51% of all pupils make expected progress in maths. 19% for low attainers, 58% for middle attainers, and 60% of higher attainers.

low attainers were less than level 4 at KS2, middle attainers were level 4, and high attainers were level 5 and above.

Compare with Bennett maths. It is a startling contrast. These new-style tables are fabulous.