Catford primary schools

[toastandtea42]

We're looking at buying a family home in Catford/Hither Green. Our budget is not massive (for London), around 600 - 650 at an absolute max.

I would love to know if anyone has kids at any of the Catford primaries, Torridon, Sandhurst, Kilmorie, Rathefern etc can give me some honest feedback about these places?

I'm panicked about making the wrong decision about where to live and my DC's education being the thing that suffers most so would love some opinions about what the standards of these schools is really like.

I'm aware that Fairlawn, Dalmain, Horniman, Stillness and Alexandra junior school in Honor Oak/Forest Hill are all really good but think we can only afford a flat around there. Would be great to know how the Catford ones compare to the FH ones.

Thank you so much. Really appreciate any views.

Sorry but, why Catford!

Honestly all the primaries are good, you’d be hard pressed to find a bad one. Some you might like more than others. Sandhurst and Kilmorie are ones I have knowledge of and know happy parents are both. The various Brindishe schools in Hither Green are highly regarded, although a bit too academy chain for me. I know parents very happy with Holbeach and Torridon as well.

If you’re planning to stay for secondary you might want to think about the secondary schools too. Lewisham secondaries haven’t had the best reputation, although having done visits recently I was actually quite impressed.

thank you so much @CatfordMouse that's really helpful. think we'll move for secondary just interested in the primaries for now :-)

Kilmorie’s catchment is teeny tiny. Won’t be getting in from Catford to there. Have a look at all the Ofsteds and then go and look at the open days.

i know happy parents at Kilmorie and Rathfern, academic results are great for both. Agree that primaries are better than secondaries in the area although secondaries seem to be improving, I hope that continues.

I would not look at ofsted reports since they are about distance a school ‘has travelled’ so might not be indicative of academic success or either the school or pupils. I’d use this: www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables and see if you feel that children are making sufficient progress using this data. We moved from South Catford/Hither Green as did not like the primary or secondary options available.

My eldest at Sandhurst and we’re very happy with the education being provided. Torrindon, Brindishie Green, Holy Cross and Rafern are all really good schools too. These are all in the catchment for South Catford. Have a look at the LA website re recent catchments, rather than going by Locrating.