Which school - what a quandary

So, Tom has been back at school for a month.  He's had a busy time: he's already been on a school trip to Hadrian's Wall, is about to go on a residential to Edinburgh, went for Head Boy (he had to write a speech full of his ideas and present it to the whole school.  He did really well - but didn't get voted in) and played rugby for the school - gallantly offering to help when some (more rugby types) decided not to take part.  He has visited Settle College with the school and we have been to Settle College and QES for open evenings and 1:1 tours during the school day.  There was one week where Tom didn't actually do a full day's schooling for one reason or another.

Anyway, the main topic of conversation in the Young household is Secondary School or High School or whatever they are called nowadays.  This hasn't been easy for me.  It is no secret that I didn't get on at my first secondary school and just the sheer action of walking into a school (especially Settle College which looks and feels very like St Crispins) brings back all my old fears.  I have been in tears and poor Matt has been sympathetic - who knew school days could still affect you so long afterwards - especially when I have done so much since.

Anyway, I have (I think) put that behind me again and we are back to trying to work out what will be best for Tom for his next stage of education.

QES were the first to hold their open evening, and we were very underwhelmed by the place.  The Headmistress did a very boring speech to us about their core values - so much so that I couldn't actually tell you anything about it.  We came out not knowing any more about the school than when we went in - she didn't really mention the pupils, any achievements, nothing about clubs, school trips, curriculum she did keep harping on about how old the school is though: it opened in 1591!  The Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy did do speeches which were way better, along with the Head of Year 7 who also was OK.

We were then sent on a tour of the school with a 6th former.  She was great, but the tour was very very rushed.  We didn't get to speak to teachers for too long and didn't get to see much work / get any feeling for the school.  We did spend a long time in the art room though - full of wonderful pieces of art, this didn't have a great affect on Tom as he doesn't like art, thinks he is rubbish at it ( because he doesn't try!).  As a result he got a bit overwhelmed and spent the rest of the tour clinging to me - not a great sign.  I came out of the school feeling cold, Matt wasn't impressed either!

Such a shame as we really enjoyed the Settle College open day last year.  Anyway, we thought we couldn't leave it there, so I called them to book a 1:1 tour.  Wanting to treat Settle College the same, we booked in with them too - in the same week so we could do a quick comparison.

Settle College was first up.  We were taken around by Student Services, and saw many classes in action.  The noise level was low - it looked like people were working hard.  The only class with any noise was Alice's - lol!!!!  Some classes even had their doors open they were so quiet.  The teachers on the whole were young and enthusiastic and very welcoming.  Class size is around 27ish.  We saw a transition and all seemed orderly.  We met the headmaster (a geography teacher so he must be OK).  He welcomed a year 7 class when we were there and he knew everyone's name as they entered - not bad considering they had only been there 1.5 weeks.  His children go to the school which is a really good sign.  School trips seem good: Barcelona, ski trip and Belgium for WWII in the first 2 years.  They go to Iceland with A level geography - not bad hey, especially, when they could get away with no trip at all considering where they are located!

There are 156 in Year 7, and 600 (ish) altogether.  It is small enough that every teacher knows every pupil and that's how they market themselves: as a small, intimate school with a community feel.  Lots of pupils come from Skipton where they have the grammar school system.  Usual happens: those who have gone to private prep schools who teach to the 11+ get into the state funded Grammar Schools, meaning that state primary school pupils have little chance of getting in and have to go to the non grammar schools which have a bad reputation.  They are shunning this and heading to Settle College instead.

There is a 6th form with 75.  They do a good range of subjects.  They start GCSEs in Year 10.  They have a cricket team, however, there aren't a huge number of extra curricular clubs.  

QES, we were shown around by the Head Mistress.  She is definitely better 1:1 than in front of an audience.  She was enthusiastic and honest - pointing out areas where they could do better.   She answered every question well.  The school was very very quiet during lessons: you could hear a pin drop.  The transition looked good too (saw Luca!)  Class size is slightly bigger.  They take in 250 (ish) each year, full school is 1,400 including 6th form of 200.  They keep Year 7 together in one area for the year so they don't get swept up / intimidated by the other pupils.  

The school does have amazing facilities - much better, newer and brighter than Settle College and they have a studio school, meaning that if Tom isn't academic - he could go there at 14 and do some vocational pathways which include: engineering, land management, health care, photography, criminology etc etc.  6th form areas are amazing: they have their own library and a brand new funky common room and study areas etc.  School trips are different at QES - as they say, it is difficult to take 250 children at a time to places, so I don't think they do many in the early years, but they do have a ski trip, overseas trips and field trips etc, how you get on them I don't know - forgot to ask!  They also have a 'nurture' area where children who need additional support can go (i.e. - if pupils are misbehaving they can be sent out of class and sent there - which is good).  They have dozens of clubs at lunchtime and highly recommend each pupil joins at least 2.  They have an active cricket club with a team in each year.

The school does have a reputation for good behaviour and the head teacher was on it when we were with her - telling people to straighten ties etc.  She had a banter with the kids (especially the 6th formers) but you could see they all respected her.  She had a presence which is what is needed!  Tom was happy to ask her questions and make comment which was good to see (he didn't so much at Settle)

So...what to do.  They are such different schools.  We have looked at results and QES is very slightly ahead of Settle College.  Matt and I had a good chat about it...the best differentiator we can come up with is people.  The more boisterous pupils at Ingleton seem to go to Settle College, whilst the more academic / sensible pupils seem to head to QES.  His 2 best friends from last year's Year 6: Rebecca and Luca have both gone to QES.  Also Owen (Annabel's brother), who Tom looks up to and is a great role model, also goes there.  Also the behaviour at QES is 'apparently' better. 

As far as his class goes - it is split between the two schools which is normal.  Lucas, Finn and Matthew are going to QES and Charlie to Settle.  We think more girls are heading to Settle than QES.  Tom isn't swayed by who is going where.  He hasn't made close friends at Ingleton and is keen to start a new school with more opportunities to make friends.  He will know quite a few children going to QES: from football, cricket and scouts - more than will be going to Settle College.

Also, QES is nearer to us than Settle College, this does have a bearing, as regardless which way he goes, he will have to go on a coach.  Time on a coach is dead time.  He will spend significantly more time on a coach if he goes to Settle - if you add it up, it gets quite scary! 

Question is - will he get 'lost' at QES?  It is so big, the teachers won't know him. Will he go under the radar due to him being average academically and well behaved?  Or, will the fact that every time he changes teachers he will have to prove himself again be good for him?  There will be more chance for him to be lazy in Settle - if he gets too comfortable.

I think on the whole Matt and I are heading towards QES, Tom doesn't seem to have an opinion, although we have tried hard to find out his feelings.  I even got him to write down his good and bad points for each school - but it didn't really reveal much.  We've got until the end of October to make a decision, wish I had a crystal ball to see what sort of person Tom will become.  This decision is much harder than I thought it would be...