TRAFFORD primary schools

[Mandy21]

Anyone have any knowledge of primary schools in hale / altrincham / timperley?

Moving to the area and wondering which are thought of as the "good" schools and which are best avoided.

Obviously looking at 11+ pass rates, but also happy pupils / extra curriculum activities / parental involvement.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks
Mandy21

[jojosmaman]

Hi Mandy21- To be honest there are many really good primary schools in Hale, ALtricham, Timperley and Bowden, I don't think there are any bad ones! I would love ds to go to Stamford Park (hale) as that has an excellent reputation but it is catchment based and seemingly difficult to get in to (we live on the border of Timperley and Hale). Bowden primary also has a good rep as does Park Road (Timperley) and St Vincents (Altrincham).

HTH!

[jojosmaman]

Ooh hadnt heard that Cornsilk, wasn't an option for me as we live in Timperley but some of my ante-natal group have mentioned it was good.

We are near Clover Lea, do you know anything about it? It has an outstanding OFSTED but I don't know anyone who has children there or have been (apart from an ante natal friend who is now 31!)

[cornsilk]

No, sorry, don't know about Clover Lea! Are you going to try for Stamford Park then? Did you see the article in the messenger about children living within the catchment not getting reception places?

[jojosmaman]

Yes I did! Funnily enough I rang the school to see about a nursery place and the receptionist was really honest and said that we could apply but that it does go on siblings, then catchment etc so we would be at the bottom so I decided against it and then I came home and saw the messenger article on my door step! Kind of reaffirmed my decision! I have a niece there and she is flourishing tho

[Mandy21]

Thank you for that info - I knew there were problems with oversubscription at Stamford Park, we like the look of that one and also of Bowdon CofE. I know they have an afterschool club at Bowdon which gets very good reviews - wouldn't want my children to go there straight away but in a few years time, I might consider doing longer hours at work. Anyone know if Stamford Park has an after school club?

Can anyone tell me what the Messenger article said? Many thanks

[jojosmaman]

Hi Mandy

Yes I think it does but its run by Schools Out so they pick them up on a minibus and take them off to wherever schools out is (I think its Bowdon). My SIL said she thought it was quite expensive so her daughter goes to a childminder who lives near the school and so she drops her there in the morning and picks her up from there after work (she is lovely btw and if you do choose Stamford Park I would highly recommend her if you needed an before/ after school childminder!!).

The Messenger Article basically said that there were about 20 families who didnt get their child in to Stamford Park even though they live well withing the catchment area and so had to travel much further to their sceond choice school. Actually if I remember rightly, the council added an extra class to Bowdon to accomodate the over subscriptions?

Having said that, it could just have been a particularly "busy" year for school entries as my niece had no problem getting in and she lives on the outer border of the catchment area in Altrincham.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[Mandy21]

Thanks JoJosmaman. Its for entry in September 09 and we're moving to the area, so if we like a school, fingers crossed, subject to finance etc, we can hopefully find something within the catchment area. I have twins so I'm worried about getting 2 places wherever we choose!

I've been to visit Bowdon already and I think they had an "overspill" class the year before too - not ideal is it? I'm sure the headmaster said if it carried on, they'd have to build a new school.

I know the after school club at Bowdon is run by Schools Out but it only accepts children from Bowdon school. The Stamford Park children must go to one of the others.

[jojosmaman]

Oh I see, maybe she was mixing Schools out with another! My ds is only 18mths so its a bit of a way off for us but I was keen to him to go to a nursery atached to the school he would eventually attend so that's why I rang around but it seems that I only have Clover Lea in my catchment area anyway! At the moment he is at a private nursery (Elmscot) so I may just keep him on there until he starts school to see where we are at (you never know, we may be able to afford Hale by the time he is 4!!)

Where are you moving from, are you totally new to the area?

[Mandy21]

Thanks Jojosmaman. I grew up not too far away so know it vaguely - but not in sufficient detail to know about schools and nurseries if you see what I mean.

Can I pick your brains about Elmscot too - we're planning on moving in around February time and I've been in touch with Elmscot (had heard some good things about it) and they potentially have places for me. It would only be for 7 or 8 months until they start school in the September (would be for 3 days a week) and they would obviously go into the pre-school class. I know some children change from private nurseries to nurseries attached to the primary school at that stage, think thats why places are available. Are you happy with the care your son gets? Has he been going for long? The OFSTED report seems to be OK, but its nicer to hear (good or bad) from parents who actually have children there.

Thanks
Mandy

[jojosmaman]

Hi Mandy- Sorry I have only just seen this, I forget that I have posted here sometimes!! I am really happy with the nursery and have no complaints at all. My ds is very settled and the staff are lovely, in fact since he started, two of my ante natal friends started their little ones at Elmscot and one other at Woodlands (the sister nursery round the corner) after hearing my glowing reports! He has been there just over a year now, he started in the baby room at 6 months and has now just gone upstairs with the "big boys" as he says and he had no problem changing rooms. What I liked about it when I looked round was that the children all seemed happy, the food is all prepared on the premises and is organic as far as possible and they have "real" teachers (iykwim) in the top room for the older kids. My sil and another of my ante-natal friends who have older children than mine both heard really good reports about it and that's really why I went with it, like you say it helps to hear first hand comments.

I'd definately have a look round, Emma the manager or Laura the deputy will take time to show you the set up and I am sure you will be happy. The only problem I have with it is the cost !!

Phew, I bet you wish you'd never asked now!!

[Mandy21]

Thats really helpful, thank you! I've got provisional places, good to hear such good reports. As for the cost - well one of the (few) disadvantages of twins . So looking forward to them starting school .

Thanks again
Mandy

[Gobbledigook]

Mandy, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the schools in Hale, Alt, Timperley (although I would body swerve Broomwood).

My friend's ds went to Clover Lea for a while (only a term actually) and she was really happy with it.

If you want to get into Stamford Park I would suggest trying to get very close to the school. Admissions have been an issue for a few years now.

[Mandy21]

Thanks for that Gobbledigook - I know admissions have been a problem in the last couple of years, its a nightmare isn't it really? We don't to be paying the premiums for property in Hale only to not get into the school of our choice, we might as well stay where we are!!

I know Stamford Park has a joint catchment area now for Bollin Primary too doesn't it after last year which makes it all very complicated!

Fingers crossed once we've made the decision as to which school (I think its between Stamford Park and Bowdon at the moment) we'll look at houses close to the schools to maximise our chances!!

Thanks again
Mandy

[ParkRoadDad]

I was searching the internet for something else and found this thread and felt I had to post a response to the comment about Park Road Primary.

Two of our children have been there for a number of years and our oldest was previously at another school in the area but we felt Park Road would be better for him as it tries to fulfil every child's potential. We are very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone. Note it is over-subscribed so must be doing something right.

There will undoubtedly be some children (and parents) it does not suit. In particular the school requires parents to follow up their child's education at home - just simple things like listening to them read, which makes a massive difference to how children progress. Some parents don't do this and don't like it when the teacher gets on their case. Personally I'd rather have a school that wanted the best for my child.

Aside from academic work, Park Road has a wide range of activities going on including sports and music and "drama" productions. It has a great PTA, loads of engaged parents and lots of happy children.

If you want to know what it's like, go along for a visit - the children show you round - and ask some kids and parents what they think.

[Gobbledigook]

I agree - I would be very happy to send mine to Park Road.

[ParkRoadDad]

The negative comment about Park Road has now been withdrawn from this thread. Thank you.

Good luck Mandy21 in your house and school search.

[myredcardigan]

Sorry to nip in but I just wanted to ask, If you're not moving until Feb won't you miss the cut off for applying for a place? I think you actually have to be in catchment already to be treated as there IYKWIM rather than them accept you'll be there by the Sept.

Traford schools in general have a very good reputation.

[Mandy21]

No, the closing date for applications is 6 Feb I think. Provided you've exchanged contracts by then, or you have signed a tenancy agreement, that is prrof of your "new" address within the catchment area.

Looked at that very carefully to ensure we didn't miss out!

[ConcernedMum2]

Park Road Timperley (not to be confused with Park Road Sale which actually did better in SATS last year) is an excellent school for the right sort of child. If you have a classically academic child who wants to learn, the opportunities to progress are as good as you'll get anywhere in Altrincham including the private sector.

However, if you have a child of average or below average ability or who is young for their year or a slow starter I would think very carefully. I also have reservations at the 'gifted and talented' end of the range as they don't really think beyond Level 3 at Y2/5 at Y6.

[Vickie81]

Hi,

Very new to all of this and looking at schools in the area for our child.
Just wondering if anyone knew how you find out the Catchment areas for Bollin Primary School, Bowden CE primary school and Stamford park Junior School?

[123itsgoodtobe3]

Now.i have lived in the area all my life and cloverlea primary school is by far the best,the staff are friendly,soooo caring, and really know the children.altrincham grammar school for boys is fantastic,shame the same cant be said for altrincham grammar school for girls,they don't know the children,it's test after test after test,the children feel pressured audits a snobby school.thumbs up for urmston! And I cannot get across how spectacular sale grammar school is,it's great for the children to mix and its just the most magnificent school.dont make any mistake in thinking that sale is worse than alti,you WILL live to regret it.

[123itsgoodtobe3]

I'd like to hear who thinks sale is bad or good

[123itsgoodtobe3]

Bolin,,park road,Bowden prep and the willows are schools many of my friends kids were pulled out of for the schools being so horrific.cloverlea is a beautiful school my kids tell me how well fitted in they feel and know body is left out.also,can I just say,pupils from cloverlea primary school went on to win he apprentice challenge at Wellington secondary school(a fab school!) they were challenged by 13 other schools ,and in the Wellington news leaflet it stated'cloverlea swept opposition aside,they won by a landslide.'