State primaries in Victoria, Pimlico, Westminster?

[Loraline]

Hi
Does anyone have children in primary school in any of these areas? Ds is in nursery in Chelsea so the schools that all the parents are looking at there are in Battersea and Chelsea area, and almost all private.

We're hoping to send DS to a state school and live in Victoria so if anyone has any recommendations for schools in these areas I'd really appreciate it.

[tippicanoe]

St Peter's Eaton Square historically has been very strong. I heard comments a few years ago that some parents were dissatisfied but am not sure why. Seems to have very strong parental support (ie very engaged parents) and also has lots of support from St Peter's church. Has a small, walled playground but school is very strong in swimming (using Queen Victoria Sports Centre).
St Barnabas has a good headteacher and many very dedicated teachers. Class sizes are small and the quality of work by a mixed-ability group of students is very impressive. Lots of volunteers from the community devote time to read and do other work with the children. St Barnabas church congregation are supportive and the new vicar is himself a headteacher (of another school; but was head of St Barnabas many years ago) so he is very interested in education.
Both schools are worth considering.

[Loraline]

Thank you tippicanoe . Should've mentioned we're hoping to avoid faith schools although it's looking next to impossible in the area!

[reup]

Millbank Primary?

[Loraline]

I did look at Millbank's website and was planning on checking it out. Do you know much about it?

[Loraline]

Bump to see if anyone else has some info. We're sort of neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea but don't know what chances we have of getting into a school there.

[LaLoose]

I think you must live very close indeed to me. You can't really avoid faith schools, in my opinion.

The three (linked) local non-faith academies - all overseen by the same super-head - I find all problematic for different reasons. Pimlico Primary is brand-new - the Year 2s are the oldest in the school and will remain so as they work their way up - and in the same grounds as the secondary Pimlico Academy, which is plagued by gang violence. They are also advertising for teachers on their school fence right now, which is not encouraging... St Gabriel's Academy is on a very challenged estate (the same estate, in fact, with the same gang problem). Millbank Academy is nominally non-faith, but is very strongly a Muslim / Islamic school.

St Matthew's, behind Victoria Street, has a smashing young head who is on the up, though the peer group of your child will be from challenged / disadvantaged circumstances.

Christchurch has a great reputation (but is a faith school) and is very hard indeed to get into. Also, anecdotally, perhaps not all it's cracked up to be.

It's pretty tough! Probably St Peter's is your best bet.

[Loraline]

Thanks for all that LaLoose lots to cry think about there. I thought Millbank looked good and don't mind the English as a second language thing but not really up for a faith-school in disguise if you know what I mean.

Must look into moving. We've DC two on the way in April and live in a 2 bed flat at the moment so it would be nice to have more space but if we do that then we're committing to moving outside London and commuting. DS is 2 1/2 so not due to start school until Sept. 2017 anyway. Just trying to give it some advance thought.

Either that or we reconsider going private. We're paying almost as much in nursery fees but were hoping to get a break when kids started school!

[LaLoose]

Personally I don't think private is worth is at primary level, having tried both, but I do feel your pain!

[LaLoose]

'it', not 'is'. Gah.

[Loraline]

We never felt private was worth it at primary either. Pretty sure DH won't really consider it (even if we can afford it). I guess faith school may be the way to go after all, annoyingly. I grew up in Ireland so really, really wanted to avoid a churchy-upbringing for my kids.

[Loraline]

Bumping this old thread of mine to see if anyone else is applying in this area and wants to compare notes.

I visited Pimlico Primary this morning. Also planning on looking at St Peters Eaton Sq, Millbank Academy, Burdett-Coutts, St Matthews, St Gabrields... I think that's it!

[Mumz16]

Wouldn't particularly recommend St. Peter's. This school has changed a lot in the last decade. The Ofsted outstanding was awarded ten years ago when there was a completely different team leading the school. The last headmistress wasn't particularly popular and the latest head is making a lot of changes which parents/pupils don't like. They have also doubled the intake at the school even though it is on a ridiculously small site.

[Loraline]

Thanks for that. Having been to see it in really wondering what all the fuss is about. We really didn't like it and the tiny outdoor space seems ridiculous for so many pupils. They also take the CofE element very ,very seriously. Just not a good fit for us.

We really liked Millbank Academy. Great space and facilities. Head seemed good. Rated outstanding.

We also went to see the Marlborough primary school in Chelsea today and really loved it. I don't know why it's undersubscribed, except that people in the area go private. Think the new premises next hest will be great. Bit of a Schweppes for us though.

Decisions, decisions.

[Loraline]

Think the new premises next year will be great. Bit of a schlepp for us though.

[Magorie]

Hey Loraine, just read the thread of your questions and thoughts on Pimlico. We are planning a move to London in July and so would need to do a late application. What did you decide in the end where did you go for school? What do you or anyone think of Pimlico Primary. We have a reception age and year 1 age and don't have to go to Pimlico we really could go anywhere in London. School is so important to us I just want to get them in the best school we can.

[kristine007]

Bump :)

[Paddington68]

St Gabriels PImlico.

[Paddington68]

St Gabriels, great results and a lovely school. Lots of outside space.

[Santosc09]

For anyone looking for updated info I've recently moved my son to Pimlico Primary (Academy) and so far very happy. They are very structured and academic focused. Son was greatly behind and is starting to make headway. Cursive writing is taught from reception and overall standards seem quite high. Strong focus on getting parents to also do their bit with lots of classes to support those parents that need it.

[deefox26gt]

St Matthew’s and St Gabriel’s are what I’ve heard best reports about. St Gabriel’s is on the estate but has space. St Matthew’s has less space but is really on the up. Probably worth visiting both. If you can’t get in to Millbank then Pimlico Primary and Churchill Gardens are run by the same company and should be easy to get a space at.

[Nattka]

Hi, we are moving in the area and I would like an advise regarding school. My son is yer 4 and I was thinking Millbank Academy or Pimlico primary. Can you tell me more about school. And what do you think is better.

[deefox26gt]

Don't know about Pimlico but Millbank has a new Head every week. St Peters eaton square keeps changing heads as well.

[OliRules]

@Nattka

Hi, we are moving in the area and I would like an advise regarding school. My son is yer 4 and I was thinking Millbank Academy or Pimlico primary. Can you tell me more about school. And what do you think is better.

The head of Millbank has just moved to Westminster Under. That speaks a lot about the school. Another one I could recommend is St Peters Eaton Square and last in order being St Vincent De Paul

[Mummy195]

@Nattka

Just to add that the same Head of Millbank who moved to WUS, also used to be the Head of Pimlico Primary. So working for Future Academies Trust - which also manages Churchill Gardens primary - them, Burdett Coutts and other local schools all have links to Westminster School.

Are you also not too keen on religious schools? I agree with the schools @OliRules recommended above and would add that Westminster Cathedral RC is also temporarily under the same Headteacher as St VdP and is very small with some classes around 18-24 children which is great with a teacher and assistant.

I really think you can't go wrong much in the area for primary schools. Most children are still under parental supervision for school runs, so I have only seen good behaviour in general.

All that being said, I am not impressed by Pimlico Academy the senior school. DM me if you would like to know further.

[Nattka]

Thank you for your comment