Tooting Primaries: Franciscan, Hillbrook and Sellincourt

[ZephirineDrouhin]

Does anyone have any experience of these, good or bad?

Have read Ofsteds etc, but would be very grateful for any advice from parents who know the schools.

[ZephirineDrouhin]

??

[ZephirineDrouhin]

anyone?

[mimsum]

I have a friend with a dd in Y2 at Hillbrook - she's been happy with the early years provision but I know there's a problem with children higher up the school leaving. A lot of families living close to the school try hard to get their dc into somewhere like Fircroft, but I think that's due more to reputation than reality.

[EldonAve]

Mixed reports on Hillbrook mostly negative

[ZephirineDrouhin]

Thanks mimsmum and EldonAve. Yes, Hillbrook has obviously had some fairly major problems. Have only heard one good report of it so far. But it seems to have come out of special measures reasonably well so wondered whether there were signs of it really having turned around.

Franciscan looks the best on paper, but not sure how well this reflects the reality. Other parents seem shocked when I even mention it as a possibility (but then they are mostly going Catholic or private so I suppose they would). Nursery seems good there.

Do you both live in the area?

[cherryblossoms]

Can i sneak in and ask what parents in the area know about Ravenstone?

ZD - A friend has v. positive things to say about Franciscan.

[EldonAve]

considered good
catchment seemed a bit smaller this year 800m or less

[cherryblossoms]

Thanks Eldon Ave.

Now, I know this is just plain rude on someone else's thread but ...
What does "good" mean?

I have reasons for being so nervous. [peers mysteriously over dark glasses]

A friend said it was somewhere you had to "plug the gaps" a bit - but i know that is suuuuch a relative term, and may not, even, be true ... .

[cherryblossoms]

ZD - are you moving in a southerly direction?

[ZephirineDrouhin]

Thanks cherryblossoms - that's just the sort of news I wanted to hear. How old are his/her children? What do they like about it?

I am here already and looking at applying for 2010. Are we almost neighbours??

[cherryblossoms]

Think we must be!

The (Franciscan) dc are older than yours. Don't want to be too specific. They do like it. In particular, the curricular enrichment is very good. Which may not sound too important but, actually, makes for a much richer and more engaging school experience (imo). That makes for happy kids, who are excited about school and learn through different contexts.

The last Ofsted sounds quite spot-on. I think they have had issues about maths (?) but they seem to be concentrating on that.

I get the impression the Head is v. energetic, which sounds good, too.

[ZephirineDrouhin]

There is a new head this year - is that the one they mean?

Could I cat you if I can work out how?

[cherryblossoms]

Not CAT-able. Though I'm going to try and get it organised in the next few weeks (and then I'll CAT you , if you like.). Honestly, how can I take a couple of weeks doing something so simple? But I know that's how long it's going to take!

[ZephirineDrouhin]

That's a shame - yes do when you can if you think of it.

I'm really just looking for somewhere where they are well looked after and have proper music lessons.

Anyway, will be visiting all soon. Thanks everyone for advice.

[ZephirineDrouhin]

Just been to see Hillbrook. I thought it looked quite good, if a little scruffy, and they seem to be coping well with the various problems they've had. They have a dedicated music teacher who seems very nice. EldonAve, if you are still there - was there anything specific in the negative reports you've heard about Hillbrook?

Cherryblossoms - re Ravenstone, the headmaster told me very proudly that their latest value added scores are now on a par with Ravenstone, so it's obviously got a very good reputation.