Hammersmith Academy

Hi educatedrita - My husband and son went to the West London Free School yesterday and they thought it was ok. Just wondering what it was that you found disappointing?

What other schools are you thinking of applying for?

Sinclair - just wondered what you felt about pastoral care at Hammersmith Academy and communications with parents? We're really interested in applying, but like others have found it hard to find out any concrete information about the school. I'm really looking forward to the open evening.

We went to West London Free School yesterday evening and I have to say that I was rather disappointed.

Thanks Sinclair, I've had a proper look at the HA and their open days are in October so we haven't missed them. No harm in going to have a look & seeing how we feel about it.
I've just had a look and we're just outside the Admission Priority area but it won't hurt to look at it and to put it down as an option. Struggling to even think of 6 schools to put down.
My sons school has stressed me out saying they had a child last year who didn't get offered any place so we really need to put 6 options down or he could end up in one of the school i really don't want him to attend.
I've dreamt about secondary schools every night for the past week lol . . . and this is just the 1st of my kids to go.

Agree Cecily, WLFS has done a brilliant PR job (hardly surprising!) but the proof will be in the pudding. HA has opened with a sixth form tho as has Phoenix this year so can at least bank some concrete results/uni entrance details in a couple of year's time - may or not play to their advantage.

Serendipity i think you can still see the academy - lots of children coming up from Fulham i think - and you may be in inner (more favourable ) catchment for the free school? Agree we all wanted more choice but still a stressful experience all round.

I think all the publicity surrounding the West London Free School may have somewhat overshadowed the opening Hammersmith Academy. As they are both completely new schools with no 'history', this could be an advantage over other local schools.

Thank you for the replies.
My son is in Y6 so we've been looking at schools both in the borough and out.
My sons school had a meeting at the school to talk about transfers but never mentioned this school just the more local schools which are Henry Compton, H&C & Fulham Cross...... all of which I'm not keen on at all.
I've been in a bit of a panic really as there doesn't seem to be that many 'decent' schools in our borough or i've heard lots of bad things about them.
Didn't think this would be so stressful lol.
My husband and son went to view the new West London Free School yesterday and my son likes that.

My DD has started there this year. Facilities are fantastic in terms of the curriculum they offer - it is an IT and I think media specialist school - but not much in way of outside space. It all depends what you are looking for. We are suddenly spoiled for choice as two new schools opened here this year, but I didn't bother to go the academy open day (we are looking for DS Y5 rather than having to make a decision yet) this time around so not sure how the school was presented. we liked the small size - it is smaller than the primary she came from - and the proximity to where we live but DD has SEN so we had particular requirements.

All I know is that my DH has been involved in the background in setting it up. It should have lots of wonderful facilities. It has St Pauls I think involved, and the Worshipful company have experience in turning around a failing school. They are all very excited about it, and I believe it is/is expected to be very oversubscribed.
But as with any school, you can't really know until it gets going. However the Worshipful company will have a long term input/commitment to the place, so that should help.

We haven't been to see it but would be interested in what people think about it. Can't find much about it when I've searched online. At my sons school they haven't even mentioned it, they've only mentioned a few of the other secondary schools.

bump