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Secondary education

Anyone know Yarborough School, Lincoln?

8 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 18/09/2010 11:37

Could just do with a perspective from someone who has a child there. We're going to the open evening next week and will be asking questions there, but just aware that the answers may not reflect reality.

I'm concerned that the school isn't a very academic school. I know its a business and enterprise specialist school, I don't really think that these are valid academic subjects and I'm concerned that there'll be a lot of focus on business studies and marketing type options - is this the case? I'm also worried that the school has a reputation for offering a lot of vocational subjects. I'm worried that if DD is struggling with a subject then rather than help her they'll just tell her to do hairdressing instead? Am I way off the mark?

DD is fairly bright but dyslexic and lazy. She needs pushing and encouraging, not been left to drift into non-academic options. I know their GCSE pass rate doesn't seem very good - 33%. Is the school better than what I'm thinking?

I'm worried that DD isn't going to get a place anywhere else.

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VivaLeBeaver · 18/09/2010 21:57

bump

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lateSeptember1964 · 20/09/2010 07:01

Don't know much about Yarborough, but I know the GCSE results have improved recently. If your living at the end of Lincoln then Christ Hospital is also an option.
Are you currently living in Lincoln and have you looked at City School?

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GeraldineAubergine · 20/09/2010 07:09

Wow, I don't know what it's like now, but I went there twelve years ago now. You have made me feel all nostalgic and homesick :)

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Northernlurker · 20/09/2010 07:54

Not in the area but interested as I was born in Lincolnshire - wow that pass rate is pretty dreadful BUT that doesn't mean that your dd wouldn't do well there if the teaching team are supportive and stretch her. I would be inclined to ask - how does your 33% pass rate school propose to educate my bright child....and then go with your gut. Tbh - though doubtless like all the other parents of bright children I think you need to try and get her in anywhere else.

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lateSeptember1964 · 20/09/2010 10:30

Should have said if she's bright why not try for LSST. I think the assessment days are coming up very soon. If she wins a place on assessment then you have no worries.

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looplou · 20/09/2010 11:28

I know all those schools really well due to my job - I would really recommend Christs Hospital as it is a lovely school with excellent results and a wonderful atmosphere (not to mention some of the nicest teachers I have met in a while). LSST is also a fab school for achievement - your DC will get pushed here to achieve their potential.
Yarborough is a very nice school - all schools offer vocational as well as academic qualifications for all kinds of reasons - it is the best way to help the kids. If your DC needs a good mix of the two then Yarborough may well be the school for them.
I would recommend letting your DC have a look around and develop a sense of the atmosphere and where their friends are going, because in my (all too long) experience these are just as important as the academic qualities of the school

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VivaLeBeaver · 20/09/2010 12:46

I would love for DD to go to Christ's but their admissions officer/person has told me that she is unlikely to get a place. They give priority to kids from 8 primary schools, not DD's. Then they fill up on distance to the school criteria.

We're 6 miles away. Christ's is becoming increasingly popular due to good Ofsted.

City school has an even worse GCSE pass rate than Yarborough, 20something %. Plus we can't get her there.

From our village there are buses to Christs and Yarborough. The village school is one of the ones that gets priority to Christs but DD doesn't go the village school.

We're going to the LSST open evening but I'm not convinced that its the right school for DD. I know its meant to be fantastic but she doesn't do very well with pressure and I'm worried it may be a bit much for her.

All her friends are going to Tuxford, she goes to a primary school which is a feeder for Tuxford but we live out of their catchment area. Last year the head at Tuxford told me not to worry that DD would definetly get a place, etc. He's now changed his mind and said its 50/50. I'm not happy, DD is distraught as she wants to go with her friends. But short of renting a house for a year in the catchment area what can I do?

We either need to pay a fortune and rent somewhere as well as keeping our home. Or we take the 50/50 gamble and if it doesn't pay off she'll likely end up at Yarborough. Or we insist she leaves her current primary school, put her into the village school so she definetly gets a place at Christs. She is adament she doesn't want to do the last option.

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maybeso · 21/03/2011 12:56

I would advise anyone looking at secondary schools to go and have a look around during the working day. This way, you and your child will get a true feel of what the school is all about - when it is running as normal (not on show).You will also get to meet key staff who will give you the facts/signpost you to people who can help you with any queries.
Lincoln has many secondary schools, all very different, and not all suit every child! Listen to your child, as it is their future and a happy, settled,child is one that will achieve.
Unlike in 'our' day, schools admission policies aren't all about which primary school you attend, or where you live - ask the school directly as rumours can sometimes be misleading!!

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