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Advice on school in Petts Wood/Chislehurst/Farnborough

19 replies

HCS1505 · 01/01/2013 22:49

Hello, we are planning to move to Bromley from Blackheath this year. We have looked around and like Pett's Wood and Chislehurst in particular. The problem is, I can't figure out the schools! My husband is absolutely determined not to send our son to independent school as he is a strong supporter of the state school system. I am too, but I did go to independent school as a child, so there are a few things I feel quite strongly about, like having a smart uniform (shirt and tie etc). Can anyone give me some advice on what the best schools are? Is Red Hill better than Edgebury or the other way round? Where do children go to school in Pett's Wood because there doesn't seem to be many schools for such a large area? Are all the wealthy families in Pett's Wood sending their children to independent school? Is Crofton Park too big to be outstanding? I'm also interested in Farnborough as the school there is outstanding but is it a nice place to live? It's all very confusing! I can't decide between and beautiful house in a beautiful street in Pett's Wood or a smaller house in a normal looking street in Farnborough just because of the school! Help!!!!

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lucyintheskywith · 04/01/2013 21:48

Hi - not sure how helpful I am going to be, but didn't want your post to go unanswered. Moved to petts wood area from near where you are not too long ago and have settled in well. Kids love it here but I think one important factor is the much bigger house. As we are RC, we have met lots of lovely people through church. Most children we know go to St James RC which is small but fantastic but you have to be active RC. Know some kids who go to Crofton and Darrick Wood Infant and are happy there and some children who go to Braeside (independent) in Sundridge Park. As it is grammar school area quite a few parents I have met chose independent because they believe it is more likely to get them into St Olaves or Newstead Woods, both (esp former) currently very good selective state schools (easy to get to from Petts Wood) and lots of parents enter their kids into the Kent and Bexley tests too. What I would say is that the whole area is full of people who have moved here to give their children a good education and have heard that Bromley is good for schools. The lady at the Council actually told me that what makes Bromley schools good is the parents! However, catchment is important here as being outer London there aren't enough school places so do call the Council if you have seen a nice house you like in Petts Wood.
I have this year's application booklet and it lists following catchment info (in miles) for last 3 years: (church schools aren't included)
Crofton: 1.4, 1.3, 0.9
Darrick Wood infant: 3.1, 1.7, 1
Red Hill: 1.5, 1, 0.9
Edgebury: 0.2, 0.2, 0.1
[judging by catchment Edgebury is sought after!]
Farnborough: 1.4, 4.8, 0.3

  • i wonder if 4.8 is a mistake or whether Council made them take more kids that year which then led to tiny intake year after bc siblings

also, if you think you will be here for ages look into secondary comp schools too (although things can change). Have heard good things about Bullers Wood (girls only) and Darrick Wood (mixed) in the areas you are looking in.
If you want catchment info on any other school from this year's primary admissions booklet, let me know
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fmmg2011 · 10/01/2013 21:51

Hi Lucyinthesky, I just wanted to say thank you for your informative message! I am also hoping to move to petts wood or chislehurst and am looking at primary schools. In fact, I would be keen on St James RC (I am Catholic) but have heard it is very difficult to get into even if you are a weekly churchgoer. Is this the case - what is considered "active RC"?! I will not be able to go to St James church for long before I will be applying, depending when we move to the area, although I do attend church where I am now, in Forest Hill. I am also considering buying in the catchment (hopefully) for Crofton (or Red Hill) in case we don't get into St James and am pleased you know kids who are happy there. Is Petts Wood generally a nice area to raise kids - is there much on or do you have to drive to nearby places? Many thanks.

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Guineapigsurprise · 13/01/2013 22:23

I live in Petts Wood and have two DC 4 and 2, and I love it here. I'm currently panicking as have just applied for primary school and really want Crofton. In a normal year we'd be fine but if it was last year with the 0.9 mile catchment it would have been touch and go, considering it's a six class intake that's pretty astounding.

Some send private but an awful lot go to Crofton and everyone I know with children there are really happy. All the kids from DD's pre-school who started in September all settled in really well and love it. It is a huge school but they make a big effort to make sure it doesn't feel that way to the children.

Crossing fingers for 17 April.

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fmmg2011 · 14/01/2013 21:46

Good luck! We are hoping to buy Kingsway/ roads off Woodland Way - hope these are in catchment come September when we will be applying! I heard of someone who didn't get into Crofton last year and they are on Manor Way...

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Guineapigsurprise · 14/01/2013 22:38

Eek, not heard that, that's where I live! I know someone didn't get in from Little Thrift but that's a fair bit further down.

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fmmg2011 · 15/01/2013 21:22

Don't worry they got in on appeal!

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ProjectJelly · 20/02/2013 18:48

hello! sorry for jumping in ...Im a big Petts Wood Fan . we too are moving from SE london (honor Oak) and about to exchange on Kingsway PettsWood. tying ourselves in knotts about secondary but would be delighted with Crofton (not RC) so ive been told by bromley schools that were ok but DD1 only 2.5years so could change. some friends just pulled out of the area as they worried acout coopers but i guess were hoping on grammars or will ahve to face that drama in 7years, we want to move for the space and . just seems a wonderful little family haven. ticks so many boxes..love to meet up any buy anyone a coffee - we move in the spring. Appreciate all of you that have contributed its so handly to get this REAL advice from local mamas x

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ProjectJelly · 20/02/2013 18:49

apologies for spelling! toddler and baby boy hanging off hip ;) x

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Guineapigsurprise · 01/03/2013 22:10

It's great here, more often than not I see someone I know every time I go out. Some neighbours, some from baby groups or pre-school. It really feels like a community.

You should be fine for Crofton in Kingsway, it's that little bit closer than we are unless the catchment drops dramatically over the next couple of years. It's under eight weeks to D-day now, gulp.

fmmg I should have said that someone who almost bought our old house got a place at St James coming from Scotland so it's worth speaking to the school to see what they say.

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fmmg2011 · 04/03/2013 15:27

Thanks Guineapigsurprise- good to know. Project Jelly we are actually in honor oak at the mo! we still havent found anywhere in PW yet but are really keen to move there, so fingers crossed...

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ProjectJelly · 17/03/2013 12:59

Fmmg2011 ..best wishes to find a house. I've loved living in hop but priced out of area now!! We move to kings way in 10days, so please do shout if you fancy a meet up after Easter . X

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Guineapigsurprise · 01/04/2013 22:27

ProjectJelly, did you move to an even number house?

Disclaimer: not a stalker, I have to walk past Kingsway to get to DD's pre-school and noticed a removals van last week.

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Guineapigsurprise · 02/04/2013 07:46

PS Don't worry I don't know what house it is ? just saw what side of the road the van was parked on.

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happydays123 · 05/04/2013 23:43

Hi, Sorry to jump on the back of this message but hoping you guys will be able to help me. We really liked a house on Slades drive, near the Edgebury primary school in Chislehurst. Do you know what that road is like, is it a safe road, are different cultures accepted in that community??.... We will be moving from East London.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

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HCS1505 · 13/04/2013 23:20

Thank you so much for all this wonderful advice! We have decided to make the move to Petts Wood and are currently going through the process of buying. I think Crofton will be our school. We'll hopefully be in the house by early June. :) The catchment areas are especially useful, thank you - fingers crossed we'll be okay for Crofton. It does seem like a lovely area to raise children. I can't wait to set up a secure little life for my son. We've got our sights long term on St Olaves. Amazing opportunity to go to such a top school.

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Guineapigsurprise · 19/04/2013 14:40

Good luck with your move! We found out on Wednesday that we got into Crofton ? phew! I can breathe a sigh of relief now until we have to start worrying about secondaries Wink.

Hope everyone moving here settles in, it really is a great place to live.

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DanielRodson · 14/01/2014 18:28

@ProjectJelly you are not moving out of SE London! You are simply moving from one part of it to another which is further out, but still within the London boundary.

Why do people get so confused about this?!

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Bob777 · 08/03/2015 21:27

St James has lovely children and teachers. Sadly, some of the parents leave something to be desired. There are quite a few affluent patents who faked being Catholic and bought houses near the school solely based on the school's OFSTED rating. There are some really cliquey parents there and good help you if your face doesn't fit!
Is also worth saying that as it's an outstanding school, it hasn't received an inspection for many years.

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Monkeys121 · 05/10/2018 13:54

I live 1 .4 miles from Chislehurst school for girls don t go to the feeder primary schools they give to but would I get a place there in 2019 or 2020 is it a populr school or not any comments would be welcome but only what school I said no comments on any other schools

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