merlin v putney park

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This is my first time using mumsnet and I dont know how to change my nickname to something more appealing!

I have to make an important decision by Friday. Do i send my son to reception at Putney Park or Merlin? He is very bright (his teacher say too bright). I want him to have fun but to also flourish at the same time. I loved PP but recently there have been lots of changes ie new headmistress (lovely lady) but lots of staff have left (or so i'm led to believe). Some reviews further, make me a little nervous ie its a school for hanger on brothers, boys didn't get into their school of choice and that it used to have a reputation for being a sleepy school.

On the other hand, I didnt get such a strong vibe from Merlin yet, i have friends who have children there and speak highly of it.

I would be grateful for any views, comments, experiences of PP and/or Merlin

many thanks

I like PP and think the new head is exactly what the school needed

Know lots of children who have been to Putney Park, most of them 10 and older, but know one little boy who's just left in Y3. All the parents speak very positively about the school, though most of the ones I know were focused on competitive 7+ exams for boys. Don't know anything recent about Merlin though my niece went years ago (she's at university now) and my SIL still raves about how wonderful it was.

Thank you so much for your helpful comments.

It's much appreciated

Go for the school you have the strongest vibe from, it is your choice and only you can make it, not other mums in the playground and, also, not people on the internet!

Thanks! My gut feeling is with Pp, can see my son happy there. Just felt nervous with recent mAjor changes there (reception staff leaving in particular) also heard much more positive feedback re Merlin (probably only because more children from son's nursery go there as do my colleagues.

I think the school entered a sleepy patch because the old head lacked direction - the new head is excellent and has it back on course. Staff always depart when a head does, but again that's a positive thing in this case imo. I chose my dcs' school (incidentally not pp because we dont' live near enough but I know a lot about it for professional reasons) on gut, despite a lot of raised eyebrows, and it has been absolutely the right decsion. Good luck whatever you decide

I've just had a conversation with a lady at Merlin and she actually did me a favour. She helped me to immediately decide that my son will not be going there but to PP.

I am in the legal profession and therefore lead a very unstructured life. Although I had marked myself out tomorrow to see Merlin again (last open morning this year) a case of mine has been listed and I have to attend court. It's not far and I'd be back in Putney 1130.

I telephoned up Merlin rather apologetically and explained. I asked if I could come and see the head just for a quick chat and quickly see the school again. This lady simply said no. I explained I had to make a decision by Friday she still refused and said that doesn't work with them.

Everything happens for a reason. I'm glad and happy at the thought that my son will be attending PP, where the new head didn't even have her lunch so she could meet me and show me the school again. Kindness, understanding and helping others is important in my book, PP appears to have that.

Feel very happy, decision made!

Thank you to all for your valuable input.

Glad to hear that!

Good decision, always go with your gut feeling.

I did with DD. Rejected super selective grammar in favour of local excellent comp. Lots of shocked reactions from mothers of her schoolfriends as DD is known to be v v bright and most parents round here would sell a limb to get a place in the grammar.

I just got a very uneasy feeling when I went to see grammar. They had a similar high-handed inflexible attitude to that you encountered at Merlin. Comp, by contrast had a lovely feel, head keen to talk and made herself available for individual appointments for any who could not make open events.

She is now coming to end of first term. She has settled in so well, full of enthusiasm due to wonderful teaching which grabs her imagination and stretches her abilities. Has made friends with lots of lovely, bright girls. Has joined so many clubs she often has to eat her lunch at morning break!

I definitely don't regret going against the opinion of the crowd and listening to my gut. I am sure you won't either.

Good luck to your DS in his new school. I am sure he will love it.

Carrots.. Thank you so much for your lovely and encouraging post. I'm so glad your daughter is happy at school.

I feel very happy re decision and know I would have felt uneasy if I went the other way. I would have been worried thinking have I made the right choice.

I'm so glad to have used mumnet for the first time. The comments and views have all been helpful. I've had great support from many - thank you

(oh yes managed to change my name!!)

You're very welcome RMPM!