11 Plus Exams Forum

Several of my friend's children have been offered a school called Swan Valley (Swanscomb?) which is quite some distance to where they live.
It was not even on their CAF form - they didn't enter the 11+ and put local comprehensives which were oversubscribed.
Can anyone tell me any information regarding this school - is it a new school, good reputation etc. My friends are completely in the dark and had not even heard of it!

This is my own opinion but Swan Valley is a school that until recently was failing miserably and a special"hit squad" was brought in a few years ago to sort out the problems. From parents whose child has gone there they have said that bullying is a problem and under achieving is common.

This said I did go and visit school last year (hadn't intended to but visit to another school finished earlier than expected) and the headmasters talk was quite inspiring. He acknowledged the difficulties the school had in the past and was able to show there had been an improvement. The teachers I met and spoke to impressed me, the children appeared well behaved in the classes, all wearing proper uniform tie, blazer etc and the building was new and clean and facilities OK.

I think in a few years time it will probably be a good school, not highly academic as it will always be second best to the grammars and academy in the area, but to get rid of the reputation it currently has will take a long time. It is always undersubscribed and certainly not many parents first, second or maybe third choice.

As I said earlier this is my own opinion, this could be a good school in a few years time, the impression from the HT etc lead me to believe that they had a good vision for the school, the question is are you prepared to put your child through the school whilst it's trying to change and improve, you know it needs children focused on their education with parents supporting them that will change the school but do you want your child to be one of the ones that experiences the difficulties before the school emerges as a good school.

Medwaymum your friends need to visit the school and make their own opinion, as grammar school was not the best option for their child they have to now decide what would be the best environment for their child to achieve the best that they can and compare what the local comps have to offer compared to Swan Valley which is a specialist sports school with good facilities in this area.

Many thanks for your insight Northkentmum. I will pass this on. I think the main problem for them right now is the distance. It will take a good 40 mins I think to get there on public transport.

Just a comment but if your friends are considering the school bus (don't know if it collects from your area) this is where a lot of bullying occurs

Oh dear, thats not good is it? They are appealing for the comprehensives listed on their CAF forms. I truly hope they succeed as it just isn't a good option for them given the distance etc.

Hi medwaymum, this is a problem across the board i think alot of my daughters friends are in the same boat and have got Swan Valley which they again did not put on there caf forms. Because of its reputation no-one wants to go there, i actually am attending a course up there and its a modern clean school. Not sure on the pupils though.
The trouble is all the people who ive heard have got this school are appealing which means waiting lists and appeals are going to go mental.
And as most the schools in the area have cut back there intake by 25 pupils this year it should be interesting!!!

I agree, however the most perplexing thing to me is all you hear on the radio/tv or read in the papers is 'the falling rolls in schools'. How there are less and less children. What??? If this is the case, why are there so many children unable to get their local comprehensive?

I really don't know in Gravesend/Northfleet we were told all schools had dropped there intakes and they have by approx 25 but rumours are for different reasons 1-low birth year, 2-all schools being rebuilt, so why ar eso many people not getting preferred choices something is wrong in Kent!!!

Just out of interest how many of you have got Swan valley without putting on your CAF form ???