Mumsnet Talk

DS1 has just been offered a place at the Pointer School in Blackheath for reception next year and I would love to hear any thoughts and/or experiences of this school, particularly if anyone has a DC there at the moment.

Lx

A friend has recommended us to look at this school as well because we are relocating to London in Feb and the other schools don't have any availability. It's really hard as we will be living in Greenwich and all the private schools have no availability. We aren't sure what to do.

Have you tried Colfe's?

It is a nightmare. I really liked Blackheath Prep but they are completely full. The Pointer School is officially full as well but I think they have some flexibility. Heath House also full.

This is all for nursery and reception though. If you are looking above that age you may have more luck. I know the Pointer School has places further up the school.

Colfes was no good for us as I don't drive.

We did try Colfes as its one of our preferred but they too are full.

St Olave's was also mentioned to us but was too far as in New Eltham. Might be better for you Ozhodge?

The Pointer School does seem very good. One of our neighbours has their DS there and loves it. I just wanted to find out a bit more feedback before committing to it.

Louplet, thanks for the tip. We will check it out. St Dunstan's reverted to us but have not really heard much about them

Have you visited Pointers and met the head? put me off completley - and really disliked the fact that head is also the owner?

uniform is way OTT IMO - and they seem to place a lot of emphasis on that which I didn't like.

They will definitely have places in reception as lots of kids leave after nursery to go elsewhere. I know of 3 who transferred to Blackheath prep this year alone.

where do you live louplet?

sorry louplet -i see from the other blackheath thread that we have spoken about this before..... so you already knew my views.

to balance it up, we do have some friends whose children are there and they do all seem happy. and the school does seem to get some ok 11+ results. and they ahve recently bought new premises so the space issue is going away.

the interview process you've just been through is a funny one though - i don't know of anyone who's been turned down afterwards?!

it sounds like you['re out of options though? are there any ok primary schools near you? you could apply there and use pointers as your insurance policy?

Hi Hatsybatsy

No worries. Thank you for your thoughts. Much appreciated.

You are right. We have run out of options. We are applying for both Halstow and Meridian for DS1 but we are too far from Halstow to get in. We went to see Meridian and it seems like a lovely school but we were really put off by the fact that they have no uniform and call the teachers by their first names.

DS1 is on the waiting list for Blackheath Prep but there are unlikely to be any places as they are oversubscribed already with pupils transitioning from the nursery.

The Pointer School seems to have a good reputation and the Ofsted reports are Outstanding. Admittedly the Head does seem very eccentric and the facilities are nowhere near as good as Blackheath Prep but the secondhand feedback we have had all seems very positive.

I would just have liked to get some feedback from someone with a DC there before committing as it is such a lot of money and I want to be sure it is worth it.

Also, once committed, if you change your mind you get stung with loss of £500 deposit plus a term's fees!

Whatever happened to good free education for all? I would never have considered private education but I feel backed into a corner.

What about John Ball in Blackheath village - also has an outstandind Ofsted and it is free!

Hi Pippibluestocking

DS would never get in I'm afraid. We live at the bottom of Maze Hill which I imagine is much to far from John Ball for DS to be offered a place.

Lx

Long time ago but I got as far as a prospectus and one conversation with the head before deciding that Pointer looked ghastly. Big emphasis on Christian Discipline and uniform, which seemed over the top; and the headmaster effectively gave me a telling off for not having registered at birth and for not being a Christian.

We ended up moving away from Greenwich!

hmmm....

only point i would make about the primary schools is that although you might not get allocated a place in the first round in May, if you keep nagging places do coem available - i know of 2 families offered places at john ball a week before the children were due to start reception. bit scary, but both kids well setlled there now.

have not heard similar stories of late entry to halstow - it's a smaller school and v oversubscribed?

in your shoes? i'd keep chasing all the schools as much as possible. heath house definitely also have some late availability.

Thanks Hatsybatsy. Will look again at John Ball though if a place came up that late we would then be looking at paying Pointers a term's fees in lieu of notice plus losing deposit which would be very painful.

The Ofsted reports for Heath House were actually not so good as for Pointers and I didn't really like the fact that they do quite a few trips abroad. Primary level seems a little young for that to me.

Will definitely keep chasing Blackheath Prep.

The emphasis on christianity and the uniform at Pointers I am ok with if the school itself is ok. I seem to remember my old school (Chis and Sid) having some fairly srict ideas about uniform but it never bothered me that much. At least the boys at Pointers don't have to wear the rather unusual purple and green kilt!

I have a child at the school and another one due to start in Sep 11. I love the school, DS does too. What I like about it is the home from home atmosphere, small classes, individual attention. They value each individual child. They are not pushy but will push your child if you ask them to. They are very responsive to concerns.

The things I dislike are the limited outside space and the fact that a lot of children leave after year 2 so classes become too small for my liking.

I am happy to answer any questions.

Hi Justaphase

Thank you so much for responding. That makes me feel so much better. The small classes and individual attention are just what we are looking for.

In fact, I was a bit worried they might be expanding too much as the Headmaster was saying they were probably going to have 100 children just in the Nursery from January and (if I am remembering correctly) that they are potentially looking to have 4 Reception classes next year. I just couldn't see how they would fit that many children in (even with the new building for Nursery and Reception)and was worried this might impact on the care and attention given to each child. Maybe they are just planning for a large number to drop out either before starting or after year 2.

Why do so many children leave after year 2? Is it to go to feeder Prep schools?

Do you know if a lot of people sign their children up for Nursery and/or Reception and then not take up the places? Do you know why?

Aside from the disappointing outside space are the facilities generally pretty good? We only got to see the new Nursery and Reception classrooms and the Headmaster's office (loved his juke box!).

How do you and your DS find the uniform?

Can I ask why you chose Pointers? Please feel free not to answer this.

Thank you again for responding and offering to answer questions. It is much appreciated. It is such a big decision and I guess I have typical mum paranoia over whether we are making the right choice, particularly as I don't have much knowledge or experience of the schools in Greenwich (I actually accepted the offer for DS1 today and put in registration form for DS2). As for the parent's right to choose within the state education system . As far as I can see if you are not prepared to move house to within a few feet of your chosen school or change to the "right" local church, choice is just an illusion!

Hi, sorry about the delayed reply, my internet connection was down.

I agree with you on expanding too much - although this is only the case in the nursery in my view. They had about 70 children there last year, I think way too many personally. Having said this, they seem to manage them really well and the children seem very happy. I guess the reason they accept so many in the nursery is because the know a lot will leave so it gives them a better chance to have more in the older years.

The reasons children leave - after nursery a lot go to the state schools. A lot transfer to the preps after year 2. Also it is an area with a lot of transient families - about half of DS's class are non-UK born children. Many move away from the area or out of the country.

The uniform - DS loves it, he is really proud to wear it. I don't care personally, it is low on my list of priorities for choosing a school.

There is not much in terms of facilities but they do make the best of what they have. They use the heath, the church, Blackheath High's sports grounds etc. They have numerous after school clubs, holiday club and complete wrap around care. Basically I think the school is very well run.

We chose it because it was the best option available to us. The state school we were offered is very poor and Blackheath prep only takes child geniuses In any case, there are two children that I know at Pointers who turned down Blackheath prep offers so it is not everyones best option either, despite the fantastic facilities.

Last thing - the Head. Completely agree that he is a strange man. However, the children adore him and he runs the school very well in my opinion.

Hope this helps. I may see you in the playground soon. When does your DS start?

Hi Justaphase

Thank you. You have really put my mind at rest. I was a bit worried about why so many people were leaving.

Funny thing about the Head - DS took to him immediately, which is very unusual for him, so he must really have a way with children.

DS is due to start in Reception in September 2011. Is your DC starting in Nursery or Reception? Maybe I should wear a White Rose or something so you will recognise me

Hi I have DD In Nursery at Pointers. We both really like it.

I know they have about 70 kids in nursery but remember that isn't 70 in there all at once. Yes some are full time but most only do a day or 2 or a variety of half days a week , so it's not totally packed to the rafters each and every day!

We actually like the head, yes he is a bit eccentric but he is passionate abut the school.

IMO lots of kids leave because the school has this (unjust) tag of being an interim/this'll do till Prep/whoever have space for my kid type school.

Have you sent your child to an interview at Blackheath Prep? Unless they are super bright you will NOT get in!!!

IMO Heath House is a very odd school.

It is really hard right, i agree. Best of luck.

Loupet, we can meet in the park one day if you like. I live not that far from you.

Hi Dorris

Thank you for the feedback and the luck Much appreciated. It is really good to hear from people with direct experience of having their DCs there.

We were too late to register for an interview at Blackheath Prep. DS1 is on the waiting list but will only be interviewed in the unlikely event a space comes up. Of course we think he is bright but then so do all parents

I thought HH sounded odd from the prospectus.

Hi Justaphase

That would be lovely. Thanks

dorris - that is the truth though - of the families i knew whose kids started at pointers, none of them intended to leave their kids their long term. - and in fact only 1 family still had their kids there post age 8

the reason for this is all the factors that have been acknowledged on this (and other) threads.

i hope it works out for all of you.

Thanks Hatsybatsy