Grafton School, Islington - Good as it looks?

[puthekettleon]

Went round for a tour and absolutely fell in love with the school. Great vibe. Outstanding OFSTED, Couldn't find fault with it at all.
But, I know all schools have their imperfections, and I was wondering if any Mnetters out there with first hand experience of the Grafton - is it all as good as it seems on first sight?

[puthekettleon]

Any Islington Mums out there?

[puthekettleon]

.

[thenevernever]

bumping for you

[alittleteapot]

bumping for you kettle (we meet again!)

[posey]

I don't know much about Grafton, but as an Islington parent just wanted to say...when we looked round schools for dd (12 years ago) we knew nothing of reputations of local schools etc and just went and looked, then opted for which one we loved and felt right. Now ds is there too and in the 11 years I've been involved I still believe we made the right decision for us.
Go with your gut feeling I'd say (though of course see what others have to say!)

[puthekettleon]

Thanks Posey, and thanks everyone for the bumps.
Thing is, we have a good feeling about all 3 of our local schools. However, we're aware of some of the cons as well as pros with the other 2 schools. With Grafton, all we know are the pros.
Feel such a huge responsibility to get it right for DD, so doing all I can to find out as much as I can before we put in the application.

[alittleteapot]

which are your other two schools?
truth is, there are likely to be pros and cons that you hadn't anticipated with whichever school you end up at.
One con with Grafton is that its playground is basically on the corner of Holloway and Seven Sisters Road - grim. And the head might retire in a few years. But I fell in love with it too. Don't think we'd get in though. If you're definitely in catchment I'd follow your instinct and accept there might be the odd con but that's life.

[puthekettleon]

Yes, suppose playground could be seen as a con ... but far outweighed by the little garden leading up to the artist's studio IYKWIM
Gut instinct is Grafton, and you're right ... life isn't perfect.

Other two schools within walking distance are Yerbury and Tufnell Park. (TP only just though, but apparently it has a large catchment so will probably stretch to where we are).

[alittleteapot]

tbh I think you're looking for angst where there isn't any to be had. I'd love to be in your position - all good schools. know what you mean abt grafton. you wonder what the catch is. but in your position i'd wade in and not worry.

ps prob know you, at least by sight. we're in same neck of woods.