schools in west kirby wirral

[womblemeister]

Hello, I'm moving back to the UK next June after 10-year absence and need to find out about primary schools in West Kirby. Anyone with experience of St. Bridgets, Avalon or Kingsmead?

TIA

[porolli]

hi, I went to St Bridget's as a child in the 70s and left in 81. it had an academic reputation then - I enjoyed it and did well, as did my sisters.
I have a friend whose daughters attend now and she says it is very similar, still quite academic and 'high achieving' (and over subscribed, so you really have to live pretty close)and perhaps not as good for children who aren't 'bookish'.
Avalon used to be fee paying
don't know about kingsmead.

[marialuisa]

Having lived in WK I wouldn't spend my money on private unless I thought my child was struggling -in which case Kingsmead makes sense. Although WK primary was second choice to st B's it's still a very good school. If you're RC WK is in catchment for Our Lady of Pity in Greasby which is a good school too.

[womblemeister]

thanks for the advice, Avalon is still fee-paying. not concerned that my children will be struggling although they will be moving country so am very concerned about the quality of English lessons + writing in particular. St. B's is probably the answer, assumign we can find house in catchment area.

[MillyMollyMoo]

Avalon I don't rate at all, St Bridgets is very over subscribed unless you're in at reception you have no chance until junior school and then do you want your child in a class of 36 ?
Kingsmead is a very gentle school, we really really liked it, but went for Birkenhead in the end.

[womblemeister]

classes of 36?!! perhaps better off staying in italy . We are RC so am going to put OLOP in Greasby down as first choice, it got a grade 1 on the Ofsted report so looks like a good place to start, thanks marialuisa.