If you have a great local secondary school that is easy to get into you’re lucky. In some parts of the UK is can be very difficult to get a place at a good local school. I’m from South-East London, and there’s quite a problem around here. It is inevitably a difficult time, but apart from crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, there are some things you can do. Firstly, I would recommend not giving negative messages to your child about any school. For a start, children don’t keep these opinions to themselves.

My son’s year 6 was almost spoilt by children telling him how rubbish the schools were that he had chosen. Secondly you have to remember that the most important factor in your child doing well in their high school education is you. All schools are a mixture of good and not-so-good that your child will have to learn to negotiate. [Read more...]