Reading or Slough Grammar schools

[ARK]

Hi All,

My son took exams both in Reading and slough,

In our application, we specified Reading grammar as no 1 choice and Herschel as no 2 choice, In our slough application, we choose only Herschel, he wrote exams there.

Marks came today, My son got 123 marks and I am very happy and proud about him, it is time for partying.

I thank all of you for giving valuable help and guidance, you have all contributed to my son's success.

My son downloaded some E-papers from this site and practised for a month or so prior to exams, apart from this he has not done any other special preparation. So we owe a lot to this site..

I have some questions,

1)When will we be getting admission offer letter

2) Will we be getting it directly from school or will that be sent via council

3)Can slough council block the admission as we have opted Herschel only as our 2nd choice,Our apprehension is that if my son did not get through Reading, we do not want to miss Herschel

4) Do we need to speak to Reading or slough council or Herschel school to explain this situation

5) Which school would be better , is it Reading grammar or Herschel, location is not an issue as we could relocate there.

Thank all of you for your excellent support.

A Proud Father

[Catherine]

Hi Ark,

Congratulations to you and your son.

To answer your questions:

1- you will get an admission letter on the first of march.

2- you will receive an offer letter from your council, but you should also receive an offer from Herchel, whether you son son has an offer for Reading grammar or not. The order of preference between the Slough grammars is essential, but not between Slough grammars and schools from other LAs.
I say 'should' because I know for sure that you would receive an offer for Langley and Slough Grammar in the same situation, and I beleive that it is the same for Herschel. You should check with the school.

3 - Slough borough council won't interfere in the admissions for Herschel, or any of the grammars. It is up to them to manage their admissions.

4- You should double check with both your council and Herschel to be absolutely sure.

5- Don't know. ... may be others will be able to answer ..


All the best

Catherine

[ARK]

Hi Catherine,

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply

I have one more question, Can I change my preferance now, For example, can I try with Langley now even though I did not choose it as a preferance in my initial application.

Apart from it , I am very keen to know the plus and minus of Reading Grammar, Herschel and Langley schools, Can someone throw light on this,

My sons interest is in maths and science

Thanks for sharing the details.

Regards
ARK

[Bewildered]

Congratulations!! Ark, to both you and your son.

4) Do we need to speak to Reading or slough council or Herschel school to explain this situation

For peace of mind I'd contact Herschel 1st to ask thier advice. They've most probably seen this situation before so will guide you in the right direction.

5) Which school would be better, is it Reading grammar or Herschel, location is not an issue as we could relocate there.

Having looked around Reading, the facilities and grounds do not set me alight! Having said that, academically (results wise) it can't be faulted. I actually know several boys that go there. All appear happy, level headed and normal . Parents views differ, some still new to the school are all very impressed. Others I know, who have boys in older years, have some grumbles, but I believe that would happen in any school. (Perfect schools are a myth, methinks!) It is a Humanities specialized school. In year 9, the child has to choose 3 optional subjects to take through to GCSE, they all have to take maths, eng(x2), a language, physics, biology and chemistry.
Can't think of anything else. HTH

Can't comment on Herschel, isn't it a mixed school?

BW

(As an aside, I believe Reading LA should be prouder of thier two Flagship Grammars, and put some much needed funds into both. But thats a whole other thread )

[Catherine]

Can I change my preferance now, For example, can I try with Langley now even though I did not choose it as a preferance in my initial application.

As far as I konw, the official answer answer is no, but I have heard rumours that it has been done in the past. May be worse checking with the school...

[JuliaB]

Hi Ark

Well done to your son for such a high mark. I cannot comment on Reading as I have not looked at that school. However, as you have put Herschel down as your first choice you should be offered that as your first choice grammar. If you want to change to Langley I think you may be considered only after the allocation on 1st March has been done. You would need to approach Langley direct. I would do that sooner rather than later to go on their waiting list. Langley usually requires a 'high pass' of I think 117 or 119, ie a pass mark higher than the other Slough schools of 111, which obviously you have achieved. If there are spaces after all the first choice candidates who achieved the high marks have been offered, you may be in with a chance.

Having said all that, Herschel is a specialist Maths and Computing school, and they do favour the technological subjects. They've also built a fantastic new sports hall. All I know about Langley is that they've sold off a large chunk of their playing fields to build houses!!!!

JuliaB

[stevew61]

ARK,

Reading School will send you a letter either offering a place via your local authority or giving you son's score and required score for a place, on a previous thread Sophie? gave an example of scored 150 required 170.

Keep in touch and let us know what happens on the 1st March so we share hopefully good news and also make the system more transparent for future years.

Have heard the first rumour that Kendrick are looking to move exam to September so you can have results before making application. I think a step in the right direction.


stevew61

[ARK]

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies,

I am keeping fingers crossed for the Reading results,

I saw 2006 school ratings in GCSE and A level, Reading school’s performance seems to be much better than that of slough schools, I attended open day and I am impressed with faculty, sports facilities etc.

Only minus point I could think of about Reading is that it is not a mixed school, I personally prefer my son to study in a mixed school though I am not sure whether it is truly beneficial.

Amongst Slough schools, I am not able to differentiate between Langley and Herschel. Academically Langley seems to do be doing better but I do not have any clear idea.
My son is very much interested in studies (Maths, ICT, science) but at the same time he prefers a school that can offer him extra curricular activities (mainly sports).

Can you help me with more details about

1) Is Mixed school better or not for the kids,
2) Can I get some first hand information about Langley and Herschel schools, I do not know much about these schools as I do not live in Slough at present.

Thanks once again to all for responding

Regards
ARK

[mum]

The queries raised by ARK is same as mine. I would like to know if ARK has got any further useful advices on his doubts........
1) Is Mixed school better or not, for the kids,
2) Can I get some first hand information about Langley and Herschel schools, I do not know much about these schools as I do not live in Slough at present.
I have got my daughter who is also interested in maths, science, technology, not that good in languages etc........

[Bewildered]

1) Is Mixed school better or not, for the kids,

The Jury is still out on this one. Depending on what you read, there are fors and againsts for both unfortunately. One in-depth survey will report that single sex is better, whilst another will suggest the opposite. If you do a google search, you'll see what I mean.

In the end I think it'll be down to personal preference.

Sorry can't be of more help

BW