Primary schools in Whyteleafe/Caterham area (Essendene Lodge, St Francis Catholic, The Hawthorns, Oakhyrst Grange, Oakwood, Cumnor??!!! Which!

[Pinklady3777]

Hi,

Would love some advice on primary schools for my daughter in the Whyteleafe area. We were looking at Essendene Lodge but are concerned about financial situation there now maybe? Anyone know anything?

Also, anyone with experience of St Francis Catholic state school?

We don't have masses of money to spend on fees so would ideally love an outstanding state school but there don't seem to be any in our area?! So may have to pay to ensure our dd gets the right start so any thoughts VV welcome!! Thanks!!

[maxmillie]

oooo I didnt know about Bromley - that could be doable. What are the Grammars there?

[maxmillie]

and what's going on at Essendene!

[Ladymuck]

St Olaves and Newstead Woods. There is a distance criteria (7 or 8 miles I think, can't remember). Tonbridge has good connections and has Judd and Tonbridge Grammar which are superselective.

I don't think that there is necessarily anything untowards at Essendene. Just the new Head seemed to vanish on maternity leave after a short space of time, and the ownership structure is an unusual one. They seem to be hesitant in giving out any financial details whereas you can get the accounts of the other schools from the Charity Commission Website.

[Pinklady3777]

Such a good point about siblings- will definitely be more keen to find out the percentages for all potential schools now! School secretaries are definitely the ones with the info! I've found that in my teaching!

[Pinklady3777]

We hadnt considered Reedham Park- it does seem to be a unique little one. Not sure it's academic record stands up to the others though?

[Duff51]

We left Essendene Lodge about a year ago when we heard most of the teacher were leaving. We are now at Warlingham Park and are really pleased with it.

It is a friendly, welcoming school with a mixture of children going on to state and independent schools.

[scoops9]

Essendene is a lovely school with well adjusted children, an excellent Ofsted and no financial issues, contrary to comments on this message board. Not sure where these rumours come from but obviously a case of Chinese whispers. I have 2 happy, academically bright children for which I thank Essendene every day. The wrap around care and holiday clubs are excellent too so invaluable for working mums not catered for by a number of other schools in the area.

[Duff51]

We always loved essendene and were very happy there and academically my child thrived beyond our expectations. Then the new head arrived. There were various issues which I won't go into and then she announced her maternity leave before completing 2 terms. It then turned out that almost the entire teaching staff had resigned. Pupils were leaving in droves and we were worried for the financial future of the school, hence we left.

The new deputy head that has stepped up to cover the maternity leave I hear is excellent however the other one is returning sometime in June.

The holiday club was good for the tiny children but didn't offer enough for the older ones so we stopped using it and I understand that alot of the after school clubs that ran have now stopped.

Pupil numbers are so low that they are now merging year groups together but I hear that there are waiting lists for nursery and reception, I sincerely hope that's true and that essendene weathers this storm as we have alot to thank them for and will always have very fond memories of our time there.

[LadyKenley]

Hi - I've read through this with interest. We're thinking of applying to St Francis for our daughter. Does anyone know if it operates an after school club as we can't see any info on its website?

Thanks.

[Duff51]

I have friends with children at St Francis, I think they have after school clubs which run for half a term at a time and then stop or other children take a turn as the numbers of places don't meet demand, ie cricket in the summer. I'm pretty sure they don't offer wrap around care if that's what you're after.

[Catermum]

My son is 7 and he has been at Essendene since he was 3 and he absolutely thrives there! All the children love going to school. They may not have all the fancy facilities that you pay extra for at schools like Hawthorns but they do have a strong family ethos. They offer wrap around care from 8am to 6pm, school holiday care for a number of weeks during the holidays and a wide of extra curricular activities (lunch-time and after school) inlcuding Strictly Ballroom, Spanish, Computer programming, badminton, gymnastics, football. Their emphasis is on inclusiveness and as such you don't have to sit entrance exams to get in. Pupils get to swim weekly, there is a choir, children get to learn musical intruments and they have an excellent SENCO. Pupils are polite and well-behaved and are keen to do well under the guidance and expert tutilage of the dedicated teaching staff. Pupils go on to a range of schools, some with scholarships, but in any case all pupils leave confident happy pupils, willing and able to achieve. There is a new Headteacher (the previously muched loved deputy head, Mrs Ali) and everyone is extremely settled and happy so if you are looking for a private family orientated school with a caring and inclusive atmosphere then go and see Essendene Lodge. You won't be disappointed :)

[Blueninja]

I can't believe what some people have written about Essendene Lodge. I have had 2 children at the school- 1 still there, 1 now left. Both children have been at the school since they were 2 1/2. Re: staff changes- like any work place, school teachers do move on and are allowed to get new jobs!! From what I understand a couple of years ago a few teachers left for career reasons. As Essendene is a small ( and friendly family run school) it may have seemed that there was a number of teachers leaving at the same time but it was clearly for career reasons. The current head (who started as deputy) is amazing and the school has never been stronger in all the years I have been a parent there. The new staff have made a great addition to the school bringing in fresh blood and ideas and as mentioned it is great for wrap around care from 8-6 for working parents as well as a great selection of clubs. Why people have bad mouthed the school is pathetic and those that left are the ones that have missed out on excellent education for their children. We are very happy we ignored people that don't appear to know the whole story and have two extremely happy and well educated children. With relatively low fees and small class sizes Essendene is fantastic value. Rant over!!

[DonderandBlitzen]

Whyteleafe School is very popular and very good with a strong head who joined a couple of years ago. The year my younger dd joined there were eight first choice applicants for each non sibling place available. So you may have to live very near!

We have been very happy with it. Some excellent teachers. Music is very strong. A music specialist teacher teaches music to all classes and there is an orchestra, choir who sing at the Albert Hall before Christmas. Children have free recorder tuition from Y3 upwards and one year of free clarinet tuition in Y4. Plus paid for instrument tuition available. Good facilities. A swimming pool, so weekly swimming lessons from Y1 onwards. Wrap around care. Lots of clubs. Libraries, Music room, cookery room, lovely grounds. Food cooked from scratch on the premises. Playing fields further up the road. Children are happy and thriving there.

[orangesmartiequeen]

I am most disappointed to read the views of Essendene Lodge School, we have been at the school since removing our children from another independent school in the area. The staff at the school are fantastic, the education they provide in my opinion is second to none, they really care about the children and this shows in as much as I never have to battle to get them to school. At the previous school my children would have tears and tantrums about not wanting to go to school and quite frankly the teaching was below parr. As far as I am concerned Essendene was the best move we ever made. People need to deal in facts not speculation.

[Hellomummy9]

BEWARE of Essendene Lodge School in caterham. They will sell you a wonderful story about small class size and friendly/family like environment. This is anything but the truth. The reception only has an assistant helping in the morning (I was told two full time teachers, as were other parents).
They will tell you that your child will receive one on one time with a teacher everyday. This is not true. I had to complain on two different occasions, as when I read my sons reading log nobody had read with him for FOUR weeks!
They don't do gym there, my friend had a meeting with the head about this, and they gave every excuse under the sun!
They won't show you this, but there is no cafeteria or inside space for the kids to play. So my son is eating, learning, and playing in the same room all day ( with no PE class) How boring! The outside space is very sad as well, not even a bit of grass.
I liken the head to a politician, you will never get a "sorry, we will try to fix that" from her..
I'm not the only one with a problem here, we are leaving but a lot of the other mums I talk to feel stuck.
Do yourself a favour and go to Oakhurst grange or a good state school. Avoid this place like the plague!

[Wumpychoo]

Whyteleafe School is pretty popular and good for progress. www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/141593
Has a pool, music room, nice grounds, sports field past the allotments etc

[Hellomummy9]

Essendene Lodge is terrible, I'm taking my son out of that school as we speak. They tell you your child
Will get all this great one on one attention and they have lots of staff, it's all a lie. Some of the little ones are being bullied. It's a terrible excuse for a private school. Lots of the mums I talked to feel stuck. I heard really great things about oak hurst. My friend has her child at st Francis and loves it. Woodlea is also a wonderful school. Good luck