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Teddington primary schools. Happy or not?

24 replies

pastmyprime · 19/04/2013 16:54

We got our second choice (Stanley) and found out St Marys and St Peters only have taken 16 pupils so far based on distance. The current catchment is only 300 metres! Wow.

A huge year for siblings then!

Hows everyone else done?

Am trying to not worry and just get happy about having a place at Stanley. I wonder how much the waiting lists actually will change things this year though, with so many siblings....

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dilys4trevor · 19/04/2013 18:40

We got SMSP (on faith) but I heard from Mrs Peach in admissions when I was applying that usually, alot of SMSP offers get waived by parents who put it second and really wanted St James. She said that lots of places become free after the first few weeks when the St James kids accept that place, which she seemed to be saying happens slightly later. Good luck!

W8ey · 03/05/2013 08:43

Hi, my son has been offered Stanley. Our first choice was SMSP. Am feeling pretty disappointed as I thought we'd have been close enough at about 320 metres!!
Crazy!!

pastmyprime · 04/05/2013 20:01

It's disappointing isn't it. I'm only 340 metres away so know what you mean. Thought it was a dead cert!
Have you found where you are on the waiting list? We're seventh. You must be higher as you're nearer, so fingers crossed for us both. I'm also going to do another tour of Stanley as i'm sure i'll be happier once I can picture the school more clearly!

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W8ey · 04/05/2013 22:15

Mad isn't it! We are 5th on the waiting list. Am doing the stanley tour on Tuesday, when are you going? like you hoping to get a feel for the school. Feel a bit in limbo at the mo!!

pastmyprime · 05/05/2013 10:24

Ooh is it a group / open tour or did you call to arrange it? I need to do that too. I actually think Stanley will be great. I guess it's just the snob in me thinks it's not as nice a looking school and the road walking up to it isn't pretty. All things my four year old won't give a flying monkeys about!

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W8ey · 05/05/2013 20:06

I feel the same, it's all about the aesthetic's, it's the teddington bubble lol! Stanley is probably more real! Another positive am liking the sound of the half days for reception, my little boy isn't 4 yet ( one of the youngest in the year) so it will probably ease him in more gently.
I rang Stanley about a week ago and they told me about the open tour on Tuesday 7th May at 9.15. I spoke to a Linda Toecock. I'm sure you could pop along on Tuesday or arrange another time v soon.
Do you know anyone else on the waiting list? We don't as all our friends got a place at Smsp. It's great talking to you as I haven't met anyone else that's going to or been offered a place at Stanley yet. Have you heard anything about inductions or uniform lists? Hopefully we'll get something soon in the post.

pastmyprime · 05/05/2013 22:18

Yes, everyone we know got into SMSP. Unfortunately I feel like some people ( well the ones who did get in, from DD's pre school) give me a slight look of "well, if you WILL choose to not go to church..." Or maybe that's my own paranoia speaking. (yes, I think it is!)

Ah damn, can't make the tour on Tuesday so will have to call to book something else. Let me know how you find it on Tuesday. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else on the waiting list either, but a neighbour has told me two children missed out on sibling places ( a mistake by the school) and so are first on the list.
I just cant imagine seven local Teddington children saying NO to SMSP. Though with just bring fifth you may be in with a chance.

And then I hear my own brain whirring around and just think Jeez! Stop worrying and obsessing but such a small thing! In a years time all this pontificating will be a forgotten episode and we'll just be happy with the school we then know. ( plus I've been told twice the Stanley mums are a friendlier bunch. I shall cling on to that thought!)

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W8ey · 09/05/2013 09:52

Apparently Stanley's summer fate is next Saturday may be another way of getting a feel for the school.

pastmyprime · 09/05/2013 09:58

Ooh W8ey - how was the school tour? I rang and am going in June to look around.

And yes - had seen the sign for the fair so will probably go along to have a nosey!

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W8ey · 09/05/2013 17:32

Hey - pastmyprime

Great you managed to get a date, really helpful. There were only 2 of us on this tour, perhaps you'll have more in June, people still deliberating...
Super impressed with the head had a very warm welcoming approach. Had a strong presence in the school, she appeared to know all the childrens names.
There is still ongoing building work throughout the school which could slightly cloud your vision of certain areas of the school but facilities outweighed this. Sports featured highly with after school clubs and wrap around care.
Children are put into groups by ability from year 1
Reception is still regarded as on off shoot of Pre school so lots of play but some structure implemented for the more able ones.
Classes mix every year.
Academic results on a par with all other teddington primaries.
Guess now its just a waiting game.

W8ey · 10/05/2013 17:04

Feeling pretty deflated! Now up to 6!' Someone has just moved into the area with a sibling!

pastmyprime · 10/05/2013 20:13

I know! I rang today and 8 th!! Pah. Shall now assume Stanley I think and do a few practise cemetery school runs!

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Xmumof2x · 24/05/2013 21:54

Hello, we are in the same situation. We reckon we live approx 300 metres away so must be high up on the waiting list. We've decided to stick with stanley though as my DH is an ex pupil and is secretly pleased our Ds got in. We visited the fayre and I was really impressed with the new buildings and the size of the grounds. Everyone was very friendly too. Spare a thought for all those living around central teddington near Broad street. Apparently there are quite a few children who haven't got into any teddington schools and have been offered ones in Hampton!

W8ey · 28/05/2013 10:26

Hi 'Mum of 2'
Wow you must be practically at the top of the list , you must have just only missed out on a place! But Sounds as tho perhaps it was meant to be, as you say your husband really wanted stanley.
We are now up to 4 on the list but too are having second thoughts! We were super impressed with Stanley, so much space even with the 4 forms! My Ds is pretty energetic so will be great for him- loved the woodland garden area- he seemed really at home there. We too felt really welcome, great to see lots of happy smiling faces, head teachers really proactive, always present. Lots of chat about Stanley being the school that everyone will be desperate to get into within the next year or so, it's results are up there with all the other schools and even better in some areas.
We previously didn't contemplate it as Smsp was our nearest school and just assumed we would get in. There were double amount of church places and lots of siblings so I guess that changed the dynamics this year.
Have you been round the school yet? We've been but might go again as family want to take a look.

Phoebe47 · 29/05/2013 22:15

I think you will love Stanley. It is a lovely school and very well run.

Xmumof2x · 31/05/2013 17:48

Hi w8ey
I looked around quite a while ago before the new buildings were finished but I did manage to have a good nosey in a few new classrooms at the summer fair and they looked great. I'm really confident that our son will be really happy there.

Iwillorderthefood · 21/06/2013 23:01

I know this is old now, but just wanted to say that DD1 is in year 2 at Stanley, and has loved it. I am very pleased that she is at Stanley, it is a good school. The staff really get to know each pupil, and are very sensitive to their needs.

Moultie100 · 24/02/2015 19:10

Dont be fooled: this school will soon be 100% church intake. I lived 100 yards from the school but the year before we applied to it, a friend of mine suggested i sign up to Sunday school...i was horrified to discover the sunday school was bursting with people i knew, who all looked v embarrassed when i turned up. It dawned on me that i would end up 100 yards away from the school, watching all the families walking past my house on their way to Smsp. Church intake is top of the list. People play the system. If you want this school you will need to go to church. I did. And the week we got our place, i left (and so did everyone else!!)

sheilafisher · 26/02/2015 11:37

No idea what school you are referring to Moutlie. Stanley isn't a church school. Not even close. The schools nearest to it both are though.

Happydaisy3 · 15/04/2015 21:42

Have 2 boys at Stanley. Year 4 and year 6. Wonderful school, would send them there all over again if I had to. The newbuild is great too, but more importantly the staff are very caring and helpful.

Devora · 18/05/2015 23:09

I'm at the other end of Teddington, but I've always liked what I've heard about Stanley as a school and suspect I would prefer it to SMSP. (Cooler name, too!)

MammaMia34 · 21/10/2015 22:31

St Mary's and St Peter's or Stanley? Which one would you choose and why? From posts I have read online and from talking to a few mums in Teddington, I always got the impression that SMSP was a better school. However, I had the chance to look around both schools and I think Stanley outperforms SMSP in a number of ways. Please do share your views.

What I loved about Stanley: - massive school site, new classrooms, lovely facilities and very friendly teachers and staff, numerous activities.

On the contrary, SMSP looked a little dated and small for the number of children inside, less activities, felt a little restricted, less diversity among children.

This is from an outsider's view. The only aspect I could not judge on was the quality of teaching in the actual classrooms, I suspect people with a view on the quality of the teachers and what actually goes on inside the classroom would be able to help.

Many thanks!

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bluestars · 22/10/2015 18:09

I have 1 DC who has just left Stanley and 1 in Y4. They have loved it there. Great range of clubs and activities (although now it's bigger it can be difficult to get the one you want every time). The teachers are good, quite a few are outstanding and a handful are truly inspirational. If you need after school care there is SCAMPS which both my DCs use and I have found invaluable (I don't think SMSP has an after school club). The new building is great. They have a small pool which is fab for Rec, Y1 and Y2 swimming. Lots of music and performance opportunities which they mix up quite a bit (not like my school days where we did the the same tired old nativity every Christmas). They mix up the classes every 2yrs which I quite like - not sure what happens at SMSP - the kids get a chance to make new friends and break out of cliques (or away from bad influences), they always stay with a couple of their good mates though.

On the down side it is large and so can feel hectic and impersonal at times (although never inside the classroom). It's a real community school and I value that (less of the competitive-mum syndrome). Hope hat helps a bit.

MammaMia34 · 22/10/2015 18:49

bluestars, many thanks for your comment, this is exactly how I saw Stanley. I was also impressed by how approachable the Head looks compared to other school heads.

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