Ridgeway Primary and Sanderstead area

[Mima0]

Hi there,

We might move in the Sanderstead area and are wondering if Ridgeway is a good option for us. We went to visit it last September and it did feel very lively and welcoming. We were impressed with the artwork spread all over the school and the kids seemed happily engaged in many creative activities. I thought the premises needed much improvement, but besides that, it did seem a school that made learning fun. Does anyone has any direct experience? Any insight will be much appreciated! Also, though I liked the school, I felt the Sanderstead area was a bit too quite, I didn't see anything going on, people walking in the streets, some meaningful shop... not much to it. I fear we would end up being stuck in the car going to Purley or elsewhere. Is it like it seems, just a residential area? Many thanks for your patience!!

I am just finishing at Ridgeway after what will be 10 years (including nursery).
It is a good school and it gets the results, but it is very different from most schools. The emphasis, certainly in the early years is learning through play. Each term, each year has a different learning context and all work is linked to that context - literacy, numeracy, history, science, geography, art etc. Such topics include 'food glorious food' which involves learning about WW2, rationing, healthy eating etc. Have a look at the website.
The school doesn't give out homework like most schools, but has a weekly home learning project which can involve the child having to research a subject in preparation for work in class, or doing a piece of art/craft connected to the topic, posters, booklets, even cooking. This can be hard to fit in with family life! Children also have to do reading practice and spellings. Homework is never a straightforward worksheet.
Work is never actually marked. The children are taught self-assessment, and they discuss work with teachers and their peers.
When my kids were in the lower school there was no formal reading scheme - children just choses a book that they liked to 'read'. I don't know if that is still the case.
It is a friendly and happy school, but if formal traditional education is what you want, it may not be your thing.
Sanderstead itself is a residential area. Many people commute up to London for work. But it is busy during the day with young families. There are shops up in the 'village' centre (Limpsfield Road), along with a small Waitrose, opposite the Rec, which is popular with young children. There is a small, busy local parade in Elmfield Way close to Ridgeway school, and further shops near the station. Childrens' activities are based in local church halls etc including Guiding and Scouting, toddler groups, dance classes etc Sanderstead library has limited opening hours but still provides some activities and the summer holiday reading challenge.

Large parts of Sanderstead used to be owned by Quakers so there are very few pubs/bars which also gives it a different feel. The only bars I can think of are in sports clubs.

I have heard many excellent things about Ridgeway but, as seeline says, it has a different ethos to many local primaries and may not necessarily suit, depending on the kind of primary education you are after. You might want to consider Gresham and Atwood too - G has a more 'traditional' village primary feel and A is generally considered to be the more 'academic' school. If you haven't investigated them I would definitely advise it.

Sanderstead itself is certainly not a buzzy cultural hub but it has some advantages. The three good primaries mean that it's very attractive to families (and house prices reflect this). The main road of Sanderstead village has all the basics, including Waitrose and - much excitement! - a Costa, plus plenty of green space. I don't often feel the need to get in the car and go to Purley, tbh It is mainly residential and the lack of pubs etc does make a difference sometimes, so if you're looking for somewhere with a more urban feel then it won't work for you. However it is, I think, a great place for families and now ds is getting older I'm quite happy for him to be out and about in the local area, which I might not be nearer into Croydon.

Ridgeway have just released their latest OFSTED report - they received 'outstanding' in all areas, so they are obviously doing something right!

Thanks to all! Sorry I'm so late replying, I have just now noticed these comments, so much advise, thanks again! We are quite happy with some kind of 'alternative' method, which actually in many ways sounds more suitable for our kid. I think I was put off from many interesting topic as a child, just because of a boring and/or too 'traditional' approach at school, that I would want the same for my child. So Ridgeway sounds brilliant, though I admit, just because I had a very traditional type education, I wonder how they learn things like spelling or grammar without filling in sacks of gaps, writing sentences, spelling over and over...Do you think parents at Ridgeway have to make up for so much creative teaching, teaching themselves or even worse, having a tutor over, later on? I didn't look at Gresham and Atwood, just because their catchments are so tiny and we would like to be closer to the station, say walking distance. But we will definitely go and visit them in September, since we still have to put preferences on and Purely Oaks sounds like the worst option ever. I must say, we have visited many schools where we live now, in Epsom, and no one is nearly as convincing as Ridgeway, all very standard, with a traditional and rather boring approach to education. It can suit some kids, but I'd rather trust an approach that engages with the children inner curiosity and creativity. Plus in adult lead activities, my daughter is typically doing exactly the opposite of what everyone else is supposed to be doing...I can't picture her happy in a too traditional setting. I will definitely go check the latest Ofsted report, thanks for the news! Sander stead doesn't sound exciting, I must admit, but the fact that lots of families live in the area is reassuring. The Quacker bit makes sense now. Is there a mix of nationalities, or is it mainly British area? It's just that us being a mixed family, I would prefer a bit of mix of cultures around. Many many thanks for the feedbacks! I have to figure out how to follow this thread, so that I don't miss out on comments!!! Thanks everybody!

A word of warning - it has just been announced that one of the Deputy Heads is leaving at Easter and the Head is retiring at the end of the Summer term. I would have thought that the Governors would be looking for a replacement to carry things on in the same tradition, but changes are a possibility.
They do seem to cover most areas - things do get more formal further up the school. Lots of kids do have tutors though - many because of 11+ exams (the proximity to Sutton Grammars is tempting) and there are a lot of good independent secondaries in the area which also have entrance exams.
Sanderstead has a fair mix of cultures, although not as diverse as central Croydon.
To follow the thread, you can click on the 'I'm on' link at the top of the page. Or under the 'Topics' headline you can click the 'Watch' link, and then at the top of the page click 'I'm watching' link.

Thank you so much, Seeline, for your precious information! It sounds very relevant. When do you think they will announce who the new Head is and what vision she/he has for the school? I'm not familiar with the system, so I got no idea about this type of things. Also, do you think kids get tutors just because entry exams are tough or particular, or because they are not taught enough at Ridgeway? Thanks a lot for your info about Sandersted!

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With regard to tutors - for grammar 11+ and indie entrance exams, they say it will cover everything in the KS2 curriculum. These exams are taken at the beginning of Y6, with SATs not taken until May, so there are some things not covered by the school before the earlier exams are taken.
Tutors are often used to fill in the gaps, or to improve skills in weaker areas. This is certainly not unique to Ridgeway though! I know some kids have tutors to improve their skills, who aren't sitting such exams, so I suppose you could say that those parents feel that the school is not doing enough. However, I suppose it depends on what the parents see as being an appropriate level compared to what the school feels is appropriate/child is capable of. They certainly provide support lessons for those who are struggling. They also provide extension/enrichment classes for the more able children.