Collis or Hampton Wick?

[tangledtights]

I've had a thread on here earlier about moving to Teddington and being a late admission which was a great help. Hope you can help me again with this one!

We're moving late May and I came down this week to check out schools, nurseries and areas. All the schools seem really lovely on both the Hampton and Teddington side but obviously massively oversubscribed. I think on balance we would prefer to be on the Teddington side as it seems a bit less residential than the Hampton side. So, our preferred schools are Collis or Hampton Wick Infants (although i wasn't able to have a tour of it).

From doing a bit of digging, I can see that Hampton Wick is about to enter a phase of redevelopment which would last for DDs reception year. I think that would be fine but just wondered if anyone who was at the school had more information and thoughts about it.

It seems to me that all schools in the area are at risk of being extended and so if its done now while DD is in reception, it will be less disruptive than if it happened further down the line at another school. Also if its going from 2 to 3 form entry, then at least it won't be going from 3 to 4 form entry.

I need to work out whether or not I am most likely to get into Collis or Hampton Wick and then find a property that will give me the best chance of getting in.

Does anyone have any insight as to which school is likely to have the most movement between places being offered and reception year starting? Is there one that historically has more people taking up private places and giving up their space? I was thinking we may have more chance at Hampton Wick Infants since the class 2 years above was only a 2 form entry which should mean less competing siblings in the current year. Collis seemed to have a lot of siblings last year.

Only other thing about Hampton Wick Infants is the transfer to John the Baptist which is a Church of England school. I know its non denominational but does that truly mean there will be no more emphasis on the religious aspect of being a christian than any other school? Excuse my ignorance on this matter.

Also, does anyone know if the cutoff for distance is a good indication of how close we would need to be to the school or do we need to be even closer since we will be competing for waiting list places?

Phew, sorry for long post. I'm probably over thinking it all, but that's what I do best! I think if we don't get a place at either Hampton Wick or Collis, we would probably get a place at Stanley which seems like a good school too but just really big and I would prefer a smaller school for my DD, who can be a bit shy at times.

Thanks in advance!

[ameliep75]

Hi, I'm in the same boat - moving June 1 to Teddington - and have called both schools I believe we'll be closer to, Collis and Hampton Wick. Proximity to the preffered school matters when you are on the wait list as well, but at this stage no one can predict what will happen.

The in-year admission lady at the council told me that we still have a chance of getting into the preffered school but we shouldn't count on it and be prepared for any of them.

Anyways, the moment you know what your new address will be, and can prove it, register your child with the in-year admission people.

Good luck! We both need it :)

[teddyton]

hi we are also in the same position but waiting for our on time application place between these two schools.
Hampton wick has just had Ofstead again and has been graded outstanding In all areas under the new inspection regime.I would also expect it to have more movement places wise as it is going to 3 from entry.This was just announced in the latest school new letter which should be on their website.

I dont want to be a doom and gloom merchant but there are 13 kids on my road and the one next too it who are waiting to hear about a place!!! on top of the 52 at the nursery in hampton wick who all want a place same for collis.
There was also 150 plus applicant for colllis nursery and we are 750 m away and we were 88 on list nightmare but got a place at hampton wick being 600m
hope that helps .

[teddyton]

missed a point
it that does not mean there is no hope as the waiting list do move as they did alot for nursery .

[ameliep75]

So the admission lady at the borough has just clarified something which is good news for us. Once places are offered on April 18, people have to accept their offers no latter than May 2. After that date, everyone goes on the wait list - including late registrants (we would be in that category, not in-year admissions).

I initially thought we would be placed to the bottom of the wait list, after those who applied on time and could not get into their preferred school, but that is not the case. Siblings and proximity to the preferred school are the criteria again, so it's worth moving as close as possible to the preferred school.

Last but not least, the sooner we move after May 2nd, the better. They will take into consideration the completion date (if buying) or the tenancy agreement start (if renting).

Cheers.

[vbus]

Hi

As I said before HW is lovely and the new plans look really good. MY Ds1 will benefit from being in smaller intake but my DS2 (who's not at school yet) will benefit from new facilities once school rebuilt. That's the way I look at it.

Both Collis and HW are oversubscribed so by living as close as you can to your chosen school, you'll improve your chances of getting in. Probably with increased intake you might have better chance at HW but tbh it wouldn't surprise me if Collis expands too. The school is bigger and they have already taken a bulge year, there is certainly enough demand for places.

SJB will also expand to accommodate flow feed from HW. AFAIK they cover all religions in their teaching. They have prayers in assembly but from the assemblies I've been to at HW they all finish with a short prayer as well. Thinking about it, I didn't go to a religious school but we also had prayers in assembly. I personally am not hung up on this as I think all other aspects of the school are excellent. Obviously if this really bothers you, then do speak to the school about it to find out more.

Good luck!

[teddyton]

I second what vbus says about Hampton wick it is very nurturing and a great community.

[cinqueterre]

Hello ladies, sorry for being ignorant, what are 2 form, 3 form or 5 form entry? DS is still little, but m doing some research for his nursery/ reception.

[teddyton]

Each reception class is legally allowed a maximum of thirty pupils this is a one form entry class

[tangledtights]

sorry to have posted and ran! Been such a mad week, with working and trying to organise stuff and being nackered with another 8 weeks of pregnancy to go. Really appreciate the responses. Thanks vbus for posting again. Really liking the sound of HW. I'll just need to get a place as near as I possibly can. Good stats to know teddyton.

I'm coming down again at the end of March with DH and the DCs to make sure we're all happy with the location. Fingers crossed!

Good luck ameliep75. No doubt our paths will cross if we both get into the same school

[teddyton]

Let's hope we all get in and see you at the gates.

[vbus]

Tangledtights - if you have any more q's or want to meet for coffee let me know

Good luck to all waiting for places!

[tangledtights]

thanks vbus, I'll take you up on that offer once we're all moved

[ChildPsychology]

Unfortunately, the school is not equipped to deal with pupils who have learning difficulties.

[ChildPsychology]

Unfortunately the school rating systems doesn't allow one to provide a fair and accurate review of hampton wick infant and nursery school so prospective parents are none the wiser to the problems at the school.

[ChildPsychology]

Must read. This school is really quite poor despite the Ofsted rating.
Unfortunately the school rating systems doesn't allow one to provide a fair and accurate review of hampton wick infant and nursery school so prospective parents are none the wiser to the problems at the school.