Primary Schools in Norwich

[YaminaZ]

Hi!

DH and I are looking at relocating to Norwich in summer 2018. Youngest will then be about to start yr1 and oldest yr3. I grew up in Norfolk but have been down in Brighton for over 10 years and feel a bit out of touch with where might be a nice area.
We would like an open, inclusive school- we came down to Brighton partly because of the physical and verbal abuse I experienced after deciding to wear a headscarf!!! I feel as if Norfolk has moved on since then, but would still like to find out if there are any areas/schools we should avoid or look in to.
My daughter currently attends Bilingual Primary in Hove and (despite our poor Spanish at home!) is picking up Spanish fast. Ideally we'd like to find a school which has a good language ethos or is in an area with good opportunities for her to continue Spanish (clubs etc).
My daughter is also quite fast in learning and although as a family we are quite 'alternative' and a little bit non-conformist (typical Brightonions really!), I am inteested in mainstream school and want to make sure she will get plenty of challenges and really enjoy learning. Ofsted is not so important to me (I work in a school!!!!) but would love any ideas from locals.
I think I really need to start visiting schools and checking out houses......will be up in half term!
Thank you in advance!

[quirkychick]

We are in the Golden Triangle, which has a fair number of alternative/hippy families. It's quite a desirable area (often cited as one of the best places to live in the UK) so houses can go fast. Schools are good here, but often infant and junior rather than through primary. Generally considered good, but can be oversubscribed. Recreation Rd Infants has no uniform and is known to have quite a "hippyish" middle class intake, the children usually go from there to Avenues Junior. My kids go to Colman Infant and Colman Junior, which has a mixed social, international intake with Deaf Unit and is very inclusive. Hth.

[Misty9]

Ds goes to lakenham and, whilst not our first choice, I've been grudgingly impressed so far. Not sure about the language side of it, but it's pretty inclusive and very multi cultural. That said, the amazing headteacher responsible for the turn around is leaving this term...

Our first choice was bignold primary but you'd need to live in catchment for that one. We don't. I know north city has good primaries but don't know any details and we prefer the vibe south of the city.

[quirkychick]

Yy, we are actually in Bignold catchment (but dcs go to Colman Schools: prefer infant to junior tbh), ht when we originally visited Bignold not so great, but there is a new ht and I hear good things from friends who work there. Not so sure north of the city, a friend is a supply teacher and Magdalen Gates and Mousehold have good reputations too.

[Pleasecanisleepnow]

I'm in North Norwich and my ds goes to angel road infant school.
It's a very large school with four reception classes and three in year 1 and 2.

Initially I was worried about this but we've had nothing but good experiences there. The head and deputy head are great and very effective in their roles.
I initially wanted Mag Gates but I'm now so relived that we weren't in the catchment. Friends with dcs there are unhappy with quite a few things.

[sherry4283]

If you are after something a bit more "alternative", there is quite a large home education community in Norfolk too.

We had our girls at a school/nursery in Dereham, however after missing out on a reception place for our youngest we've been home educating for the last 18 months

It may be worth considering if you find the ideal house, but not necessarily the ideal school

[mellymel03]

I'm just off of Heartsese Lane, and my 6 year old son attends Heartsease Primary Academy school.
the latest Ofsted report was Outstanding.
It is a very good school, has a Nursery on site too. and it's own swimming pool.
My son has come on in leaps and bounds since starting here.
Hope this has been pf some help?

[rhymeswithporridge]

eaton and cringleford are the catchment area for the hospital and the university so more multicultural than the norwich norm. my son's primary school class has 2 kids from italy, one from france, one from kenya, one from china, one from north africa and one from holland. there might be some others that i've forgotten but you get the picture...

[foolonthehill]

For context...Magdalene Gates have over 40 languages spoken in school, Bignold over 50.
There is a big emphasis on social inclusion with some schools having achieved the "school of sanctuary" certificate or working towards this.

Norwich is a far far more diverse and accommodating place than it used to be, I hope you find it a wonderful place to bring your children to.

[Ponjii72]

Colman Junior is a really inclusive school. It has a deaf unit and lots of children from very diverse backgrounds. They have a teacher specifically focused on EAL children and they do lots of work on cultural differences / tolerance etc. I have had 3 children through the school and think its brilliant. Much more diverse than Avenues, which in my experience, is predominantly white, middle class....

[Ponjii72]

There's also the Steiner school if you wanted something more alternative....
Recreation Road infant is a bit more boho (no uniform / lots of drama etc) but Avenues much less so imo.

[reshvik]

Hi !!!
We are planning to move house. My daughter currently goes to Rec road school and I would like her to continue going to Avenue junior but buying a house around these schools is such a challenge. Highly priced terraced houses :(

Thinking of NR5 area. Anyone from this area and if your children go to St Micheal's Junior school , any feedback is much appreciated.
Also considering Colman junior school as I have heard good things about this school.
Mums, if you could give any information.
Thank you

[Mum2FoxandMatilda]

Hello ladies. I know this is an old thread but I’m moving to Norwich after Christmas. I have a reception aged little boy and I need to get this move right for him, house is second - school has to be right. Looking at Newmarket road area, and wondering as I’m new to school applications too - do we get allocated down to proximity or is preference taken in to consideration?
Schools that come up on RightMove school checker are Recreation Road, Bignold, Avenues, I called Colman yesterday and they have no space in reception. Eeek. Anyone? Help!

[Mamaloco84]

Hello fellow mums! We are moving from London to Norwich - hopefully soon. Buying house in Old Catton. Anyone familiar with the area - could you please advise on a good primary school and nursery, too. There's Garrick Green, is it any good?
Will be grateful for any help.

[zah1]

hello mums. i am shifting to norwich in August 2020, my little one will start reception this year in september, i would like to know very good multicultural infant school, where they focus on learning and manners along with other activities in norwich so we can find house in a catchment too. please help