As October rolls in, parents across the borough are facing one of the most significant decisions in their children’s education: choosing the right secondary school.

To ease this challenging process, Rokesly Junior School in Haringey hosted an informative event, inviting senior leaders from local secondary schools to speak to parents about their schools and the application process.

During the session, school leaders shared valuable insights and emphasised a key piece of advice: visit the schools with your child.

Understanding the atmosphere, ethos, and environment first hand is crucial in determining whether a school will be a good fit for each child.

"We now have a choice to make," said one parent, clearly inspired by the presentation.

The three nearest secondary schools - Highgate Wood School, Greig City Academy, and Hornsey School for Girls - each offer distinct opportunities for families. Greig City Academy, with its academy status, and Hornsey School for Girls, as a girls’ school, can attract students from across the borough, giving parents a wider range of options.

(l-r) Patrick Cozier (head, Highgate Wood School), Andrea Downer (assistant head, Mulberry Academy Woodside, Samira Ali (Hornsey School for Girls) and Daniel Cain-Reed (Highgate Wood SENCO) were on hand to advise parents(l-r) Patrick Cozier (head, Highgate Wood School), Andrea Downer (assistant head, Mulberry Academy Woodside, Samira Ali (Hornsey School for Girls) and Daniel Cain-Reed (Highgate Wood SENCO) were on hand to advise parents (Image: Rokesly Junior School) However, this freedom doesn’t extend to all schools, as many have strict admissions criteria determined and managed by the local authority. This often means that pupils living the closest to a school have the best chance of securing a place.

For parents whose children do not get their preferred choice on offer day, there is a silver lining. They have an opportunity to appeal and to put their child on the school’s waiting list This does not guarantee a place, but often some movement on waiting lists occurs once the school year begins.

With the deadline for secondary school applications set for October 31, time is ticking for families to make their final decisions. Those experiencing difficulties with the application process are encouraged to seek support from their child’s primary school.

Choosing a secondary school can feel like a monumental step, but with informed guidance and the opportunity to visit schools in person, parents can make the best choice for their child’s future.

Visit https://new.haringey.gov.uk/schools-learning/schools/school-admissions/apply-a-school-place/starting-secondary-school for more information.

  • Ms Bola Soneye-Thomas is headteacher at Rokesly Junior School