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Education

Primary schools in Hackney

37 replies

fyefoot · 13/07/2009 09:53

Hello, need some advice. We are in living in Stokey & love it but about to move again and I think we need to start thinking about schools etc. Our DD is only a year so I know things can change drastically but we have seen a good size place on Hackney/Stoke Newington borders but local primary (Northwold Primary) hasn't got a good OFSTED and not rated well on Good Schools Guide, although has a new head and seems to be improving things (slightly!). We have also been looking towards Alexandra Palace but it would mean getting somewhere much smaller. So, I guess the dilemma is do we buy somewhere in Stokey which is bigger with big garden etc but schools not so great (although could change) or look towards Alexandra Palace and compromise on space and outside space? We can't really afford the places round Church Street. Am I worrying about schools too early? I really don't know but has to be said that when we move this time we don't want to have to move again for a long old while. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

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smee · 13/07/2009 11:28

fyefoot, there are some fantastic primaries in N16 area. So I'd stick with where you like. I don't know Northwold, but there really are lots and lots of lovely primaries in that area. Why not make a list of the schools you like, then only look at properties in their catchment area.

Posey · 13/07/2009 18:00

There are several more mumsnetters from the area who should be able to help, so keep this bumped up and they should spot it.

MadameDefarge · 14/07/2009 18:42

Fyefoot, I understand your problem!

FWIW, Millfields and Rushmore are excellent primaries in Hackney, so you could move to Lower Clapton and get more bang for your buck.

I have just taken ds out of a stokey primary after five years there...and now he is in a private school.

smee · 14/07/2009 20:41

blimey madame, dare I ask why...?

MadameDefarge · 15/07/2009 10:09

smee, there are a whole host of reasons, but mostly because I could see his future and it was grim. 'average' children are utterly ignored, support and engagement with them to exploit their potential diverts resources away from adding value to the school. So they sink. And do badly at secondary.

I struggled with the decision, but now he is blossoming and I can see the little boy I knew was there suddenly himself to the world. His confidence levels have soared and he is so happy.

smee · 15/07/2009 10:59

That's so sad. Must have been tough to move him. Brilliant to hear he's happy now though. Hope it wasn't my school though. Give us a clue...

smee · 15/07/2009 10:59

It's okay, I'm a parent not a teacher

ingles2 · 15/07/2009 11:08

Have you looked a Jubilee?
That's got an outstanding ofsted and is on the Clapton side of Stokey?

fyefoot · 15/07/2009 12:25

We looked at Jubilee but this place was a bit too far, anyway have decided not to go for that flat, but more to do with damp and exposed pipes in the bedroom than the school! But its really hard, it seems unless you are living just off Church Street the schools aren't great, well except Jubilee. I love Stokey and at the moment I can't think of a better place to live with my DD being 1 but I really don't want to have to make huge compromises with her education. Anyway, the house search continues... Thank you for all the advice - it really is a minefield.

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MadameDefarge · 15/07/2009 14:47

well, it starts with G and isn't on Albion Road!

smee · 15/07/2009 20:56

Ah, got it. Don't know much about that one. What a massive shame though. Hope he continues to thrive Madame.

Umlellala · 15/07/2009 21:12

Think G is now improving after some problems recognised (there's a shocker) by Ofsted. We are about to move to Walthamstow as we can't afford the garden we need in Stokey but really, we wouldn't move! Dd goes to playgroup, and will be starting nursery in Sept anyway at Sir Thomas Abney in Stamford Hill. I love it, a medium sized school but the kids really seem to enjoy it there.

If I had the choice of the smallest nearest school I would take it, but I am a teacher with experience of Inner London state schools and think really, most schools are fine. Mind you, am a idealistic socialist type .

madameDefarge · 15/07/2009 22:58

Well, as far as I am concerned G is not improving. everything that was good about it has been destroyed. the Apres ofsted blitzgrieg has ripped the heart out of that what was good about the school.

All because the Learning Trust was so freaked out at having taken their eye off the ball for seven years.

Everyone who worked there was gagging for an Ofsted to come and sort it out.

And the shame of it is how they came in and blamed everyone except themselves.

hoxtonchick · 15/07/2009 23:01

oooh, i love hackney school gossip . my ds is very happy at his hackney primary, dd will join him in sept. he's doing very well, fab school. we're not in stokey though....

hoxtonchick · 15/07/2009 23:05

oh. or hoxton!

Umlellala · 16/07/2009 05:49

Glad your son is happy now, madame. I don't have personal experience of G (except downstairs neighbour isn't very happy with it either), this was just what I had heard...

smee · 16/07/2009 14:41

Is the G you're talking about the one with the how to describe them , high profile married parents, Madame..? Or is the other G?

madameDefarge · 16/07/2009 15:01

yes, indeed, smee! And very nice they are too.

vonsudenfed · 16/07/2009 15:11

I have heard some very funny stories about that school (via friend of friend who was involved), of highly stokey parents turning up and demanding why the food wasn't organic, and why little Jack wasn't going swimming every day like he did at nursery, and having to have it explained to them that, well, there were a few other things that the school had to deal with first...

madameDefarge · 16/07/2009 15:18

Oh lordy, the Stokey Uberparent...

fyefoot · 16/07/2009 15:27

They already scare me!

OP posts:

madameDefarge · 16/07/2009 15:40

Hey, it could be worse....Betty Layward is the bastion of meeja luvvies....

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madameDefarge · 16/07/2009 15:42

apologies to smee if that's her school!

smee · 16/07/2009 20:59

Nope, BL is not me. We're far too common
Am rather amused that the G school has them as parents. Can't imagine they have much time to Uberparent what with the country to sort as a day job.

frogs · 16/07/2009 21:17

Round our way 'a bit Betty Layward' was a shorthand for slightly feral m/c kids of either gender with straggly unbrushed hair and intense parents.

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