Schools in Letchworth, Hertfordshire

[Mrs85]

Hi,
I'm completely new to this whole net mums thing but I was hoping for some advice.

My Husband and I are considering moving to Letchworth but we don't really know the area well or what the schools are like. We have a 8 year old G - year 4 and a 4 year old B - Reception. I would want both children to attend the same school and are looking for a school which has more of a nurturing approach to learning, but still have a good Ofsted report and fair grade statistics.

We will also need to think about what kind of secondary schools there are too as our eldest will be making that leap in just 3 short years!

Any advice/opinions would be very helpful, I think other parents are the best place to get the full picture of the day to day for any school. x

[AnyaMumsnet]

Hi OP,

We hope you don't mind, we're moving this to Primary Education now.

[Mrs85]

Ok sure -

How do I see replies to the post?

[Hersetta427]

It really matters not what are the best schools at the moment- you have to find which ones have places available (which may not be at the most desirable schools or even at the same school. Call the local authority and see where has places. Your other choice is to move next door to the best school and then hope for a place off the waiting list but that is a risky game.

[FraterculaArctica]

Have you considered Baldock just up the road? Schools are consistently good. Again though there will be the issue of getting in year places.

[Mrs85]

Hi, thanks

Yes I know it could take a while to find places and the children would be on the waiting list.

To start with I was planning to keep them at their current school and just do the travelling everyday as it's doable. I was hoping to find out more about the schools and then go from there in the hope it wouldn't take too long untill places became available.

I understand there are infant and jounor schools too - which means they may be split into two different schools.

[MsGee]

I have sent you a pm, but not all schools in letchworth are split into infants and juniors.

Lordship is generally seen as fairly desirable in Letchworth and covers reception to Y6. Children go on to a range of schools including Highfield in Letchworth and Hitchin Boys and Girls. However, I think most of the others are split. Lordship does take children in year, but it will depend on your particular year group to be honest.

[Hersetta427]

Check this list from the LA no spaces whatsoever at lordship.

Only one school in the town has free places in reception. More choice for year 4 though

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/school-admissions/in-year-admissions-change-schools-during-the-year/school-vacancies/school-vacancies-reception-to-year-6.aspx

[Mrs85]

Thank you so much, that's all very helpful.

It has given me much to consider and defiantly looks like it could be a cause of getting a place for one child and having to wait for a place for the other.

Just as an opinion, would you say Letchworth is a nice place to live on the whole? I know each town will have good and bad aspects, just trying to find some reassurance that its the right area to move too,

Thanks, x

[FraterculaArctica]

It's hard to answer without more information about the context of your move - where are you coming from, what are your aspirations housing wise, why are you moving? Presumably you live reasonably close if you can keep your DC in their current schools for a bit? For most people moving is about finding a compromise that works for jobs/travel/schools/costs - where else are you considering and what is important for your lifestyle?

[GenericHamster]

As I have just done a lot of research about schools here...

Lordship is one of the best but oversubscribed. Spaces rarely appear.

Other all-in-one primaries are St Thomas More (Catholic), Norton St Nicholas (CofE), Stonehill, Garden City Academy. The first two are VERY hard to get into. The second two are less hard and are both Ofsted good but have rather wobbly pasts.

I wouldn't necessarily be put off by infant/junior schools as every infant school has a nearby linked juniors and finish at staggered times. Hillshot, Icknield and Northfields infants all have reasonably good reps, with the junior schools not so hot (some bad). Icknield and its junior school Wilbury will always have spaces - for a reason. Despite Icknield being good, I would avoid them. Or go on a waiting list while there.

None of the secondaries are supposed to be great.

I think Letchworth is very nice for young families - lots of green spaces and things to do. Less to do for grownups (go to Hitchin instead). However it does have a high level of social housing which filters down to the schools, obviously. Not that that should necessarily matter to you.