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Original poster

Woodside park international school, london

11 replies

slackpuppy · 17/01/2006 18:46

Does anyone have any experience of this school? Since we're not in the catchment of any state primary we are thinking of sending children to this international school. Grateful for any experiences from other mums.

OP posts:
chicagomum · 17/01/2006 19:06

I live round the corner from this and although don't have dirrect experience ad my children aren't of school age but several of my neighbours have children there and rate it very highly. One thing to consider though is there are a fair few children coming and going on a regular basis (it is widely used by those in the diplomatic field etc who are only here for a year or two)so there are often new faces in each class and friends lost (iyswim). Not quite sure why you aren't in the catchment area for any state schools (or is that rather, any decent state schools?)

Original poster
slackpuppy · 18/01/2006 10:42

chicagomum, we seem to be between catchment areas. If in the year ds starts school there are very few siblings then we might just make it into a local school but since that school is very poor performing, that is not much comfort. Again, I assume the council have an obligation to place us with a school (need to check) but I think the good schools would be full and we would be placed in a poorer school, possibly at some distance. I therefore think we need to take matters into our own hands!

I've heard good things about Woodside Park school for infants. Would like infants and juniors (possibly nursery too) if the school seems good. Do you know what they are like academically? The only report I can find is on the secondary school and I think a lot of children leave at 11 and go onto other schools so secondary may not be representative.

OP posts:
chicagomum · 18/01/2006 12:33

As far as I know Barnet have introduced a new scheme for the Sept 06 intake, you apply for 3 schools and they allocate you a place. I you don't get a place you are told which schools still have places and you reapply, if not sucessful again they will allocate a place to the child which you can appeal against but I wouldn't hold my breath. These days there are no defined catchment areas it depends year to year on the applications. The applications were meant to be in by the 13th of January though.

MarsOnLife · 18/01/2006 12:36

I have 5 sets of friends who send their children there. 3 have done throughout the junior school. 2 have continued to send their children to the senior school. They are all very happy with it. It's a lovely school inside.

They put on amazing shows. DT2's godmother's DS has the starring role this year.

(and she's a fussy one DT2's godmother - don't worry I tell her to her face.. she agrees)

goldenoldie · 18/01/2006 13:41

Anyone know what they charge for the senior school?

goldenoldie · 18/01/2006 13:44

Is there an entrance exam for the senior school?

Original poster
slackpuppy · 18/01/2006 16:09

MarsonLife

Tell us more! Looking for the usual, well-rounded education, is it ok academically? do they have a chance to do music/sport/art?

is the high turnover a problem? Any incidences of bullying your friends have heard of?

And, may I ask, are your friends local or have they sent their children there because they expect to be working abroad in the future?

Goldenoldie - the school has a website which might answer your question: www.wpis.org (think it is org)

OP posts:
goldenoldie · 19/01/2006 11:26

They are having an Open Day tomorrow (Friday 20
January) from 10am to 12 noon and Saturday 21 January from 10am to 1pm.
There is no need to make an appointment and their address is:

6 Friern Barnet Lane
London
N11 3LX

I can't go, but if anyone does I'd be interested to know what you think.

MarsOnLife · 19/01/2006 23:22

Tell us more! Looking for the usual, well-rounded education, is it ok academically? do they have a chance to do music/sport/art?

It seems okay academically. I have heard that the junior school is better than the senior. A couple of my friends are or have moved their children to a different senior school.

..........................

is the high turnover a problem? Any incidences of bullying your friends have heard of?

No reports of bullying. A lot of the kids are used to highturnover, or not being in a school long because of the nature of their parents' jobs.

...........................
And, may I ask, are your friends local or have they sent their children there because they expect to be working abroad in the future?

My friends are local. They sent them because they think that the school is good. I tried to talk about it to DT2's godmother today, but neither of us had the time. Will talk to her next week as I'm away this weekend.

hth

MarsOnLife · 20/01/2006 17:55

spoke to the godmother. Not cheap. The reason she's moving her son is because they don't have any sport in the senior section. Other than that she's completely happy.

hth

MarsOnLife · 20/01/2006 17:55

spoke to the godmother. Not cheap. The reason she's moving her son is because they don't have any sport in the senior section. Other than that she's completely happy.

hth

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