Help needed: Nursery and Primary schools in Teddington/Richmond

[eldestgirl]

I wonder if anyone can make any recommendations? Situation is that DH's work have suddenly decided to relocate us back to London early. Instead of July 2007, it's now Christmas 2006.
DS1(5)will start Year 1 here in Singapore in September, and DS2 has a nursery school place for that term too. (All my careful planning)
We are currently Sale Agreed on a house in Teddington, and waiting to exchange, but the three local state schools which I had earmarked for the boys can't offer me anything before September 2007. I have to apply for DS2 in November this year to try to get him a place in Reception in September 2007, and then DS1 will get sibling rights and may be able to be squeezed into year 2.
So I am looking for an infant/junior school with a nursery for the Spring and Summer terms next year for both of them. Does anyone have any recommendations/experience of schools in this area? This includes private schools as we may be able to get DH's firm to make a contribution, given the short notice and the fact that they already pay here.
Thank you!

I'm sure you have looked at the Richmond LEA website. This gives a list of all possible state schools in the borough.

We are in Richmond, but the other side from Teddington, I'm afraid. Don't know much about private schools in the area, but Denmead School is the prep linked to Hampton School. I think Twickenham Prep is also in Hampton.

I think there are local experts on here, so they might be some help.

We came back from Singapore when DS1 was going into Y2, and there was no trouble getting him into 2 local schools.

Hi eldest, I'm in Teddington and have a 3yr old so we've just been through the pain barrier with schools.
The lea link is obviously worth a look as that gives you invaluable info. Collis seems to be a particularly well respected school (at least at the moment) though we are lucky that, in the main, the state schools appear to be very good.
Also look at the Ofsted website for reports on schools.

There are also many independent schools-I did have a good link which I've lost so I'll find it and repost.

hth

Thanks. I have them both registered at Collis and Hampton Wick, but although they think DS1 can get a place in Y2 in September 2007, the problem is finding him a place in Y1 from January to July.
LB Richmond have told me that the only state primary with space for a Y1 in January 07 is Heathfield School in TW2. Sadly, they have no places in the nursery for DS2. So how long is it going to take me to drive to just past Fulwell Park from Teddington?!
Is finding a nursery school place also difficult in Teddington?

It should only take you about 15/20mins.
Nursery places are a nightmare actually. I hate to say that-but like everything else you could be lucky and get a space. Do you have details on the nurseries?

Thanks Rabbit. I do have details on the nurseries, but they are all oversubscribed with long waiting lists. What was that about the government guaranteeing a nursery place for every child...?
Poor DS2 is so excited about starting nursery here in September, and then he has nothing to go to in January. PLus the shock of another sibling arriving in March (hopefully).
The timing on this really sucks. Much as I want to come back, I could have done with staying here until July from this point of view.

There is one in Hampton which has, I hear, extended its days and hours-and also now offers a summer school-type thing (!)
It's called the Ivytree and its in Hampton Hill

Good luck, hope you sort something out x

I should add that my friend's son attends the Ivytree and seems to have settled very well there.

You never know - children do sometimes leave unexpectedly, so a place could become available earlier. That doesn't help much, I'm afraid, even if it does happen.

Thank you Rabbit! I will call them later.

Hi, how sad am I...I passed this nursery today and noticed that they had a HUGE sign outside advertising vacncies (I copied the following info from their website):
Asquith Nursery Kingston

Asquith Nursery
49 Kings Road
Kingston-Upon-Thames
Surrey
KT2 5JA
Tel: 020 8974 9773
Kingston is a small cosy nursery based in a beautiful converted chapel. Children from 3 months to 5 years are cared for in four rooms, each equipped according to the relevant age group. The nursery is decorated with colourful displays, and in the spacious entrance hall is an ?interest table?, and useful information for parents. Our experienced and qualified staff team plan a wide variety of daily activities, and in addition, children have the opportunity to join French classes, Jo Jingles music and movement, Tots in Sport and drama sessions. Our garden is well-equipped with a climbing frame and slide on a safety surface, sand and water trays, painting resources, and there is also a useful under-cover buggy park. Only 5 minutes walk from the train station, bus station and the town centre, the nursery is also close to Bushy Park and the river, enabling regular walks and outings for all the children.

It's 5mins from Teddington so gd luck if you decide to try

you should be able to find a nursery place although you may find it is in a proper nursery rather than a pre-school

in terms of you getting ds2 into reception, this will depend on where your house is - hopefully the LEA have told you which schools you are most likely to get a place at

with respect to your ds1, I hate to tell you this, but that school year was the most oversubscribed they have ever had in Teddington to date, even though Collis now officially has 3 classes a year. There is a woman who lives on Bolton Gardens (she moved there after the application date) who did not get in and she is still on the waiting list for reception (this year, so yr 1 next year) and is hoping that once her second child gets a place in the school, her first one will also get sibling priority.

If you can afford private schools, it may be worth exploring that option, even if you use it as a half way house. The ones most commonly used in Teddington are Newland House school , The Mall School and Twickenham Prep . The Mall is boys only I think, the other two are mixed. We have heard lots of positive things about Twickenham Prep - I think the head teacher is very well respected (and has the sort of all rounded approach to schooling - the 'every child will thrive' rather than pushy ethos).

Also, if you do eventually manage to get a place at a state school, do not worry about them joining at funny times in the year. There are loads of kids in Teddington whose parents are in the oil industry or in international jobs who scoot off for a year or so (on foreign postings) and come back in. The head teachers and children seem to handle and manage this situation very well!

Good luck, let us know if you need any more info.

here's a list of the pre-schools (the bottom 7) and proper nurseries in the immediate area

here

Thank you both SO much for the info.
Rabbit, I have called the Ivytree and they have a vacancy 3 afternoons a week in January so thanks a million for that link. I wanted a pre-school rather than a day care centre, so the Ivytree sounds really good. I am going to have a look at it when we come back on a reccy in October.
Foxinsocks: Newland is full for Y1 but I will try Twickenham Prep now. I don't really want an all boys school.
Eek, Bolton Gardens is closer to Collis than our prospective house. We are hoping for the same thing, once DS2 gets a place in September 2007, DS1 gets priority as a sibling into Y2. Also have them down for Hampton Wick which is a bit closer. As you say, people do move in and out of the area.
The only school with any Y1 vacancies is Heathfield Infact School in TW2. Do you know anything about it? I have looked at the Ofsted Report and it's seems OK. I just wonder why it's the only school in the LB Richmond with any vacancies! It does have a high proportion of children with SEN, travellers and asylum seekers, so maybe that's why it's not very popular.

Good news. Best of luck for your move x

I know nothing about heathfield I'm afraid but I've not heard anything bad (here's its website )!

you are right - there is alot of movement in the classes normally so fingers crossed for you!

well done rabbit for coming up trumps!

Hi eldestgirl - not sure if you'll get this in time to help you - but I'm sure you'll get a place at one of the primaries closer to your home - there is so much movement here in Richmond borough. My daughter went to Twickenham Prep - that is a good school and she did really well there - as someone else says, they have an inclusive ethos and get all the kids involved in everything - not just those with a talent for say, music or sport. I'd recommend it if they have a place ... This year we've moved our daughter to one of the state middle schools (they seem to be pretty good generally in Richmond borough); just to get a break from the fees really. She likes it there too (it is only a few days into term though ...and it seems v big and bustling compared to the prep) although I'm still getting used to it and not sure yet if we've made the right decision ...

HI we're moving to Beds area, Sandy, Henlow, Potton, Biggleswade. Haven't bought yet so will consider other areas if anyone knows the good schools near these areas.Does anyone know where the good lower schools are in these areas and what childcare is available?!? Would also like a catholic school but they seem few and far between up there?! Grateful for any info.
Thanks :O

sorry new to Mums net posted in the wrong place?!?!