HELP! De Beauvoir Primary in Islington? Improving rapidly?

[lill72]

Hi,
From what I can gather, this primary school is improving out of sight and are aiming for outstanding OFSTED. Does anyone have DC at this school and can tell of their experience? I'm tossing up between this and moving to get into the catchment of another school, even though I love the area where I am more..

[nlondondad]

Actually I am pretty sure it is in Hackney.....

[aufaniae]

Definitely Hackney, I grew up near there. But to be fair, if you come out of one of the entrances*to the school on Balks Pond Road and cross the road, you're in Islington.

I knew the head there once too, but sadly my inside info is generations out of date!

(not sure if it's still used as an entrance these days).

[lill72]

Sorry yes it is Hackney. I am in Islington, on the border, so got a little confused!

[bluewisteria]

I dont have children there but I grew up in Newington Green and went to school around there - I also have lots of friends with children local and know some teachers there too.

Given the price of buying or renting in this area, and the cost of moving house, would it be a cheaper possibility to send your child to a local prep, like Rosemary Works?? Where do other parents want to send their kids? Is it William Tyndale and Canonbury School?
Or, instead of spending the money on stamp duty if you are buying or deposits for renting/moving costs etc you could put this into extra tutoring.

I would have thought that the school will have a lot of money and time/energy put into it - there is a real move to improve schools in Hackney - I think they have improved more than any other educational borough in the last ten years??

Do you have an idea for which secondaries you want to apply to???

[bobthebuddha]

When my DS was reception age it was a school you were advised against. Word on the street now appears to be that it has made great strides, but I haven't spoken directly to anyone with kids in there. Head has (I hear anyway) been brought over from Queensbridge which is one of the sought-after Hackney schools and it seems to pop up in local news with plenty of extra-curricular stuff going on. The best thing you can do really is to go and have a look round, ask lots of questions, try to speak with parent governors and get a feel for it.

[bobthebuddha]

Being on the border though, you do have the benefit (unless the rules have changed??) of applying in 2 boroughs and increasing your chances. That said, despite being on the Hackney side of the border, we only got offers in Islington!

[frogs]

bob, are you the poster formerly known as aelita?

In which case, Hi!

[bobthebuddha]

That'll be me. Hi Frogs!

[frogs]

Hey! How's life? I hear off the grapevine you're moving to the 'burbs?

[bobthebuddha]

Life not too bad! The idea of moving goes back and forth; for the moment we're staying put we think. The idea of having further to travel to work is putting DH off, plus we're seeing how the new secondary round the corner beds in. Hope all good with you?

[bobthebuddha]

You couldn't have sold your house to nicer folks, btw . It does seem an awfully long time ago now!

[frogs]

Yy, very long time ago! But I'm glad they're nice. My dc are outraged by the fact that they painted the front door that bright colour - I rather like it, but the kids are very disapproving, which makes me laugh.

You have a new secondary round the corner? Other than Islington Green/City Academy?

For the benefit of the oP, I think secondaries in that area have historically been more of an issue than primaries, unless something has drastically changed? De Beauvoir is too far to get into Mossbourne, and presumably now out of area for the shiny new Highbury Grove or even Petchey?

[bobthebuddha]

Yes, I did a double take when I saw the door colour! It wasn't done entirely seriously I believe

We have Hackney New School nearby now - first intake went in in September and they are planning to open a primary school (I believe on the site of the unfortunately now closed fire station on Kingsland Rd). Early days and the secondary is still in temporary accommodation but the parents I've spoken to are happy so far.

[bobthebuddha]

Also for the benefit of the OP (though they seem to have disappeared!) by coincidence I just met a de Beauvoir parent governor (I think their DC started in the last intake) - they echoed what I've been hearing from others outside the school. There's a committed cohort of parents in the school and things are moving in the right direction. They were realistic about the issues there have been, but positive about the future. Hope that helps reassure anyone with a place for this September or further ahead.

[fiammetta2013]

Hi there. We have been offered a place for our son in debeauvoir to start in September reception class but we are still not sure if accept or not the place :-S
Our first choice was the Queensbridge but we are outside the catchment area.
Is there anyone starting in Debeauvoir?
:-)
M

[HH11]

I have a child in reception at De Beauvoir primary now and another due to start in september. I am really happy with the school. It was originally my second choice and within days of my 1st child starting she was offered a place at Queensbridge, which I turned down as I have so much confidence in De Beauvoir. They have recently appointed a new permanent head to start in September 2014 and apparently he is outstanding - from east london, oxbridge educated with a real passion for pastoral care of the kids. I think De Beauvoir has lots of advantages over other local schools. I am happy to answer any questions you have - there is lots to say!