Grammar schools

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Chelmsford mum
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Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm

Post by Chelmsford mum »

moose wrote:There is a boy in my son's class who commutes every day from Slough to QeBoys Barnet. :shock:
There are limits to how far you should go.
I would have said so too and wouldn't do that with one of my children but....

Know a girl in DD1's class who travels for 90 mins + to go to school.I know her parents now somewhat and they are very sensible people.They say SHE desperately wanted to go to this school as the Music specialism with all that brings, supported her passion for music.She gets up at 6 with no complaints and does the journey happily because she is going to a school she loves.She reads and does some homework on the train and has the energy too to participate in clubs/ hobbies.Her parents were doubtful but she is thriving.
Guest55
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Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

There are other ways - e.g. through County Music services- to get involved in musical activities. My DC has played at Royal Albert Hall and other famous venues through involvement with a band.
Chelmsford mum
Posts: 2113
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm

Post by Chelmsford mum »

Guest55 wrote:There are other ways - e.g. through County Music services- to get involved in musical activities. My DC has played at Royal Albert Hall and other famous venues through involvement with a band.
Absolutely and she does those kind of things too but she wanted all that the Music specialism brings.E.g recording studios, music outreach to local schools,accelerated music exams, two full orchestras , countless ensembles, choirs etc. etc She plays four instruments past grade 5 standard.

i am not saying I would let my child do that distance but that was their informed decision for their daughter.Knowing the family has just made me a bit less quick to dismiss the decisions that people have made for their child.
Guest55
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Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

Many GS offer this as standard ...
Chelmsford mum
Posts: 2113
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm

Post by Chelmsford mum »

Obviously not all though.
Her school just opened a new music block costing well over a million.In this girl's view, the school that she chose offered music facilities unmatched by any other school she had the option of, including the local independents.
Also she liked the option of the outreach into primary schools with her music as part of her timetable in year 9.
If she can tolerate the journey then perhaps, in her case, it has been a good decision.Choosing a secondary school is such a difficult thing and her parents still feel , two years on, that this was the best option for her, even if others think differently.
moose
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Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 1:59 pm
Location: North London

Post by moose »

In case of schools being specialized the journey could possibly be justified. QE is the best state school in the country when it comes to the results, but Langley or other Grammars are not that far behind to excuse the commute.
Unless... QE is boys only.. So maybe there was something else behind the decision I do not know about?
sj355
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Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:07 pm
Location: Finchley - Barnet

Post by sj355 »

moose wrote:In case of schools being specialized the journey could possibly be justified. QE is the best state school in the country when it comes to the results, but Langley or other Grammars are not that far behind to excuse the commute.
Unless... QE is boys only.. So maybe there was something else behind the decision I do not know about?
It is true that certain minorites prefer single gender schools. Which is strange; I perceive the single gender status to be a disadvantage of the school, especially as far as the sixth form is concerned. Maybe it is because I belong to a different minority!
sj355
Irene+
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Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:19 pm
Location: London, Ealing

Post by Irene+ »

rosered100 wrote: Redbridge:
Ilford County High School
applies distance criteria!
moose
Posts: 304
Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 1:59 pm
Location: North London

Post by moose »

Maybe it is because I belong to a different minority!
Oh, you made me laugh! You definitely do belong to a minority in QE. I must admit it would be better to be in a majority, but cannot be helped.
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