Martin Primary in East Finchley - any good?

[vickyy]

Hello

We're about to have our first child and are moving to East Finchley, and we're thinking about primary school catchment areas.

I know that Tetherdown and Brooklands are good schools, but it's proving tricky to find anything affordable near them.

Does anyone know anything about Martin Primary? The Ofsted reports have been very mixed (esp for the infant school), but the results have been improving for the last few years, so I'm not sure what to make of it?

Thanks

Vicki

[saadia]

I went there myself - a very long time ago. I know that's no use to you but just thought I'd share, and bump at the same time.

[doddle]

Our deputy head sends her children there.

[vickyy]

Thanks... Doddle, what does she think of it? I've heard it wasn't great a few years ago but has got better?

[isgrassgreener]

Hi Vickyy, I'm afraid that I'm not going to be that helpful in saying the obvious, that in the four years you will have till you need to go to school, many things can change.
Also you really can't just go on the results for a school and you need to get a feel for it by looking around, results only tell part of the picture.
The catchment also is not set and changes every year, I know that you are obviously trying to buy in the best place you can, but that is why it is so expensive near schools that everyone raves about.
Anyway, trying to be more helpful, I do know the area that you are talking about, some children across the road from me go to Martins, I don't really know them, but they seem to be happy with it.
Catchment for Brooklands and Tetherdown is always small, but Tetherdown has expanded to 2 form this year, so will have increased it's area a bit.
It does seem to vary from year to year in this area and some year it seems to be very difficult to get in, I think that a lot of it is driven by familys moving in to the area for Fortismere as well, so the demand is always high.
What about church schools? would they work for you? As that would give you more choices.
Most of the schools do tours all year round, you could always go on one of them, the school would not need to know that you were looking for a few years ahead.

[vickyy]

Hi isgrassgreener

Thanks for this. I do feel rather ridiculous looking for schools for a baby that's not even born yet, but on the other hand it's so difficult and expensive to move I don't want to do it again in five years time - so at least want to make sure we've got a few options.

Academic results are not the only criteria for us, though of course they're important - also want a nice atmosphere and a decent ethnic mix (which may rule out Tetherdown!)

My husband is Muslim - we'd think about church schools but only if we didn't have to pretend to be churchgoers. I've heard Holy Trinity is good but I need to give them a call to see if they take non-churchgoers.

The other one we've been looking at is Coldfall, which seems to be doing well from what I've seen?

Schools tours a great idea - will see if I can arrange something. The only problem is all the time I'm already taking off work for househunting and antenatal checks...

Vicki

[goingfor3]

I used to live in the area and at the time it wasn't seen as a good school. I knew a boy who went there and was really happy but his mum moved him to Brooklands as it is a better school, he was so miserable that he went back to Martins. Find out which secondary school the children from Martins go on to as that can give a good indication of the standards.

[isgrassgreener]

Hi Vickyy
I was thinking about Holy Trinity when I mentioned church schools as it seems like a nice small school, but I think it is churchgoers only because of being oversubscribed, I know that they also give preference in reception to the children who go to the nursery.
I can give you the lowdown on Coldfall. It has been expanded to 3 form entry and it does already feel much bigger and the juniors is still only 2 form entry, so it will grow even more.
But, there is lots of space, a big playing field and playground. Nursey and reception are around the back in a new building, reception has its own playground overlooking the woods.
It is run on quite traditional lines, it's not all touchy feely liberal. The headteacher is very focused and in control.
There is quite a broad mix of children both ethnically and socially.
Most of the children go on to Fortismere, a few to APS and there are always a few to the selective schools, but usually not more than 5 each year.
They had an outstanding ofsted a few months ago.
If you are not phased by the 3 form entry, it is a good school, but if you want somewhere a bit more cosy it may feel a bit big.
If you are in the area and can't take the time off to go to school tours, think about going to their christmas/summer fair, they are usually on a Saturday, always gives a good indication of the amount of parental input in a school and you get a good feel of the people who go there.
Hope this is of some help.