I am moving into the area and have had great difficulty on deciding between mosslabds and Oldershaw for my son who will be entering year 8. I decided on Oldershaw because it's a smaller school and not so many boys but now I am wondering if I have made the right decision, everyone saying Oldershaw is terrible, rough etc. My son is quite gentle and not into football at all etc so thought 1500 boys at mosslabds may be too much and rough. Please someone tell me Oldershaw is good. I know years ago it was meant to be very bad but I thought it's really improved and has slot of good points? Surely it can't be rougher than any other high school? Help a worried mother ......I have filled in and sent the forms off, hope it's the right one ?

Hi,

People tend not to make a fuss over good things, only about the negative. Oldershaw is a good school and has improved much over the last decade (not to mention the massive investment in the development of the school buildings). I know many people who have gone there, and yes there are the stories you hear, but you get that in any school. There will be a cohort of other boys like your lad who will look out for him and befriend him. Believe me, you hear just as many bad stories about every other secondary school. People only pass on bad news!

Give it a chance. You are clearly a supportive parent else you wouldn't be concerned about the school. That tells me that your son will do well wherever he is.

On a sidepoint, 'm not so sure I agree with Oldershaws academy status as it to the detriment of all Wirral non-academy schools (but that's just a beef I've got!)

It may not be the very best school on the Wirral but it isn't the worst either. I went there from 1990 to 1997. I had a good time and the teacher were mostly good. I'm sure if your son studies hard and makes lots of friends he'll have a good time at Oldershaw.
It did go downhill somewhat in the late 90s but has improved of late.

My daughter went to Oldershaw - by default - and didn't fare very well, she had a huge bullying issue which lasted her whole school life and no matter how I tried to tackle it, the Head seemed completely unaware of her plight and actually became obstructive when I pointed out that he had racial bullys in his school- he told me to go to the police !!!!

I have a shop in the area of the school also and have issues with pupils smearing food across my windows - not just my shop but others too- fighting in the street etc

Several shopkeepers have been in touch with the school regarding such matters and there is now a 'staff' presence at break and lunch time

Mosslands is equally as bad regarding bullying - my son was battered by classmates for standing up to a bully who made sexual reference to his sister - his hair was set on fire

Police said it was a civil matter until the racial reference was mentioned - then they took action ...but not for the assault on my son, but for the racial and sexual reference to my daughter

Good god I have just rambled some but in all honesty, neither school are better than the other

I just hope your son makes some good friends and they can all stick together

Best of luck love x

I think with every school you hear good stories and bad. My daughter currently goes there and I ve not had a problem with bullying the teaching standards are good as my daughter does struggle with some lessons and as a results has had the extra help without the need for me to go to the school.

Thats really good news Kermit! My daughter left Oldershaw 5 yrs ago, so still under the current Head - he must have ramped things up a bit

Omg scary stuff.

oh god that was not meant to scare you!! Its a huge move from primary to secondary - try to make friends with some other mums who are feeling scared too - just smile and ask what class their kids are in - otherwise come and talk to me and I'll try and calm you down

I left Oldershaw in 2004... Good school!
Although Peachy (if he's still there?) is not a patch on The Loach (his predecessor)

my 2 older boys went to Oldershaw and I have nothing but praise for them.
My eldest (is now 21yrs old) has dyslexia (now called specific learning difficulties)and is dyspraxic (bad clumsy co-ordination) and joined Oldershaw because they had the newest and best programme in there for dyslexia at that time and he was one of their success stories as he had to relearn everything back to basics and he did it. He even won student of the year twice. They also encouraged (as well as myself) him to play basketball to help with dyspraxia and the coach was really encouraging and supportive of him and he now plays for the Wirral team.
His GCSE results weren't the best BUT he did do the best he could to his abilties. He then went into 6th form and finally finished with BTEC's in Art. Hes now a supervisor for one of the big bar franchise in Liverpool.

My other son (now 20yrs) has ADHD, and Oldershaw was absolutely brilliant, tolerated his hyper-ness and helped him reach his potential and he finished there with A*'s, A's & B's GCSEs, BTEC distinctions in Business Studies. And is now up for promotion at the same bar his older brother works at.

Both of mine were vulnerable and we didn't have any bullying issues. I didn't once have to phone them up or had to go in and sort anything out. And I know they had a few concerns with my 2nd son about were/how to vent the hyper-ness in a constructive manner and lets put it this way, they encouraged him to play football and he ran rings around all of them (still does in fact ). They were looked after really well and all the staff bent over backwards to help them.

hope its of some help for you anyway.

i went to Oldershaw (left 1990), my eldest has just finished her A levels in the 6th form, and my son currently goes to Oldershaw. He is going into year 10.
We have had no problems with this school, they provide good support and help if needed. They have excellent facilities now as it has much improved over the past years.

I agree with the other comments that there are horror stories about bullying in most schools, i have heard terrible things about mosslands!!

My son sounds like your boy, he dosnt play football (hates most sports) and is more sensitive that other boys so i have my share of worries, but i think its good for them to mix with both boys and girls. He will find his own group of friends.

Thanks everyone you have helped put my mind at rest ....