AS you may or may not have noticed, we do tend to take an interest in school admissions numbers. The reason is (and we could be wrong) is that we suspect that a possible consequence of the schools increasingly acting like businesses is that, there is a risk that, the laws of supply and demand may come into play and one many end up closing due to, amongst other factors, simply not attracting enough custom.
With that in mind, the school that has attracted the least number of first preference applications is Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope.
Hassenbrook attracted only 52 applications and only 85 applications in total. This figure is dwarfed by Gable Hall who had 241 first preference applications and a total of 299. They were closely followed by St Clere’s with 223 firsts and a total of 295.
Such a massive discrepancy may beg the question whether there is a need for the third senior school in the east of the borough. However, others will point out that there are a number of large housing applications on the table that may well increase the population and thus leave a need for more school places.
Elsewhere in the borough, William Edwards were the recipients of the most first choice applications with 310.
The list in full
1.William Edwards: 310
2.Harris Academy: 293
2.Gable Hall: 241
4.St Cleres: 223
5. Ockendon Academy: 188
6. Gateway Academy: 172
7. Ormiston Park: 82
8. Grays Convent: 63
9. Hathway Academy: 55
10.Hassenbrook Academy: 52
CONVENT IN CRISIS!!!!!
all joking aside i am astonished that the convent only had 63 applicants,there must be nearly that many girls at st thomas primary who traditionally go straight up to the convent.
rocket1, you make a valid point…I must be mellowing!
Why would more parents wish their child to go to Willy Eds in preference to The Harris Academy?
Are mums and dads realising that ‘education’ isn’t just about ‘qualifications’, but more importantly becoming a well rounded individual as William Edwards promotes?
Hallelujah, at last the penny has dropped! Please see the following link from last Saturday’s Independent:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-3-rs–ready-respectful-and-resilient-a-school-has-put-pupils-character-formation-before-exam-results-9179084.html
how do you get in to university with character but no exam results?.
Surly, you’re not decrying personal qualities such as character, resilience, motivation and social skills et al?!
Bill Gates says “we don’t just pick employees for their brains…but for their energy”!
I’m intrigued! How/why do you think your children will be successful?
my son worked hard at harris academy and got the exam results that got him in to a good university,things like character ,motivation and social skills come from the family not the school.
So you admit then, the soul purpose of schools is to gain qualifications? In other words ‘examination factories’…you can’t have it all ways Sunshine!
I assume you have instilled many skills and qualities into your children? I assume (again) that you are a ‘good’ parent!
But what happens today when kids are having kids and many families are completely dysfunctional? Whose responsibility is it then to ‘educate’ their offspring and turn them into successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens?
if pupils are completely dysfunctional they banish them to the ockendon sin bin and failed teachers like you can babysit them.
Errr…I try and engage you in adult conversation and debate and sadly, you become personal!
‘Failed teachers’? How can you make such aspersions (look it up in the dictionary)?
I’ve gotta be honest, I have enjoyed toying with you and exposing your naivety and frailties regarding educational matters! You my friend are totally out of your league and you have reiterated this fact, repeatedly as I have raised the stakes in terms of intellect!
I have nothing more to say, apart from when we next meet and I utter those immortal words, that I guess you’ve heard a thousand times before…”can I have large fries please with my Big Mac”!
a legend in your own lunchtime.
if you can,do.if you can’t ,teach.
Rocket give up ,ECM
i seem to have touched a raw nerve.