Primary Schools Blackheath/Kidbrooke/Charlton... Help!

[OnwardBound]

DS due to enter reception September 2013.

I am in the process of viewing schools but it is so difficult to get a sense from the tour just what it might be like for DS to actually be schooled there.

So I wondered if anyone here might have some personal experience or advice they could share?

At the moment I am looking at Cherry Orchard, Kidbrooke Park, Charlton Manor, Invicta and Brooklands.

I know that Sherington, Halstowe and John Ball all have excellent reputations and results but unfortunately I think we are just that bit too far outside of their catchment areas...

Does anyone have children or know of children who go or have gone to the above schools? And can you please share any thoughts or opinions with me because it is just so difficult to decide an order of preference!

Watching with interest
I'm just starting to visit - really like Cherry Orchard so far.

where do you live? the schools you list are over a very wide area and most primary schools only take children from a small catchment?

We are on Shooters Hill Rd.

The five I listed that I am looking at are all the closest schools to us...

Cherry Orchard is probably the closest, followed by Charlton Manor, then Kidbrooke Park and Invicta.

Brooklands has an outstanding Ofsted report but we realistically have zero chance of getting in there as it is the furthest from us.

I think I'm too late for you, OP, and hope you chose a school you like and get it this week! Just resurrecting this thread in case of any future searchers.

I know a fair bit about schooling in this area - please, please don't just rely on the Ofsted report. Some schools might miss out on an 'outstanding' grading for some statistical blip the year they are inspected. Also, Ofsted keep changing the framework they use to assess schools. Use the report as well as your gut feel and don't feel afraid to ask probing questions when you visit. IMO being able to walk to school in London is a BIG plus - you aren't at the mercy of the traffic and your children actually learn some road sense.

HTH