primary schools in Wimbledon

[WobblyPig]

Does anyone have experience of primary schools in Wimbledon? I live in south Wimbledon and know that Dundonald and Bishop Gilpin have very good reputations and Ofsteds but we don't live in their catchment. Nearest for us is Merton Aabeey ( no way on EARTH) ; Pelham, Holy Trinity and Garfield. Anyone have experience of these schools or offer any advice about the admissions processes?

[Rox73]

Hi there,
I'm looking to move into the SP Gdns area, our move is driven by schools. Does anyone have a view on Queens Rd in terms of location, noise? I see on the map that it is quite close to the train tracks, is it very noisy there? We looking at a house there tomorrow.

Also, if you had to rank The Priory, Holy Trinity and Pelham, what would be your preference?

Lastly, I know this is a long shot but if anyone knows of anyone wanting to sell, can you please let me know. We're looking for a 4/5 bedroom house with large garden close to good schools.

Thanks a million!

[chevtex]

Thanks slummymomma - that clears things up. Will have to keep my fingers crossed for next year!

[BecauseImWorthIt]

see here!

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Can I just alert you to the fact there is a meet up in Wimbledon tomorrow night?

7.30 for drinks at Henry J Beans, then on to dinner at Confucius.

Go the to meet up thread and let me know if you want to come!

(Go on, you know you want to!_

[slummymomma]

If you and the child with a sibling lived exactly the same distance away from school then the child with a sibling would get in over you. If you lived closer than that child then your child would get in even though the other child had a sibling. It's highly unlikely that you would get that situation as the council measure the distances very accurately. To be clear if you are closer you will get the place even if the other family has a sibling.

If you don't get any of the three choices you are offered you will get offered a place at another school in the borough - could be anywhere. I've know people in Wimbledon get offered places in Micham for instance. In reality there tends to be movement between offers day (March) and September. With the extra places this year at Holy Trinity and Wimbledon Chase it should be a bit easier to get a place on the right side of the borough.

[chevtex]

I've read admissions policy but find it v. confusing. It says they allocate basis following:

1. Children in care
2. Special needs
3. Nearest school
4. Proximity of home to school

It then goes on to say that if any of the above categories are oversubscribed (which I assume occurs at point 3) then they allocate places based in following order:

1. Siblings
2. Children in nursery
3. Proximity of home to school

So does this mean that a child living 800 metres away would get priority over us if they have a sibling or if they attend the nursery.

very confused ....

Also, does anyone know what will happen if don't get offered place at any of our 3 nearest schools?

Our 2nd nearest school is Dundonald (no chance of getting in - they only go 200 metres around school) and our 3rd nearest is Wimbledon Chase (agsin no chance I think

[slummymomma]

You will need to check the admissions policy but if I recall correctly Bishop Gilpin has done away with the siblings policy so siblings do not get priority over non-siblings. Also children who have attended nursery do not get priority over those who haven't. As to the catchment area it is very tight I think. The fact that it is your nearest school will not count for anything.

There is a big problem in Merton (and the rest of SW London) at the moment as they are having problem providing enough don't have enough reception places so the situation is full of angst and uncertainty. 700 metres is quite far I think - where about are you?

[sarahparker]

Hi there. Does anyone understand how the admissions criteria works for Bishop Gilpin? Do siblings get priority over someone who lives nearer to the school? Do children in the nursery get priority to the school over someone who lives nearer? Does anyone know how far out the catchment area typically goes? We live 700 metres away and it is our nearest school. Do you think we'll get offered a place next year?

[slummymomma]

The Priory does tend to sell itself on being big on drama and arts and I think that to some extent that is true. The reputation dates back to the days when it was viewed (rightly or wrongly) as less academic than Holy Trinity and I think the old head saw it as a differentiating factor.

I would not choose a school because it offered good arts and crafts if the academic standards weren't up to scratch. From what other Mums (with children at Priory) have said to me I think that Priory is doing well academically these days.

I am a great believer in gut instinct. The majority of primary schools in Wimbledon are excellent so you have to go for what you think would suit your child best. I rejected Priory because I wanted a cosier, more intimate school for my PFB.

[cuppycakesong]

I have been reading this thread with interest. I'd love to have more feedback on The Priory aside from the 'big on drama and arts' thing. I mean, is that so important when choosing your dc education? (genuine question, not being arsy)

[giantkatestacks]

ooh would love to be contacted but my ds (reception year) is now too old for eddie catz (still cant get used to calling it that) and my dd is too young - only 8.5 months. I can sometimes be found at the parent and baby screening though - twilight next week I think...

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Any of you who expressed an interest in the SW London (New Malden?) get together, could you come over to the thread and indicate a date you can/can't do?

thanks!

[Doozle]

Ah I can't do Wed 28th unfortunately but I could do Fri 30th or Wed 4th Feb. Any good?

[slummymomma]

Hey doozle weds 28 poss for me - 12.30ish. Will try and contact giantkatestacks and anyone elsewho wants to be part of the Wimbledon posse...

[Doozle]

Great Slummymomma.

Little Doozle loves Eddie Catz.

Wednesday or Friday afternoons are good for us usually. What about you?

[slummymomma]

My DS is at nursery every morning so dont make it to the YMCA anymore. Afternoons are free Eddie Catz though if afternoon naps dont get in the way...

[Doozle]

Ps. Does anyone here go to Ducks at the YMCA? It'd be nice to meet up with other mumsnetters there if anyone fancies it.

[Doozle]

Thanks Slummymomma

[slummymomma]

HT has 50% foundation and 50% open - so it was 15/15 and with two form entry it will be 30/30.

I believe there have been occasions where the foundation places have not been filled - when that happens the places left go over to the 'open' list. I would imagine with 30 foundation places this year (and in subsequent years) that this will happen again. So potentially good news for anyone wanting an open place.

HT is actually quite diverse - plenty of children with english as a second language. Loads of europeans (german, french, danish, russian) so quite an interesting mix.

[giantkatestacks]

lol I meant racial and not facial...pmsl

[Doozle]

Does HT doe 50% foundations places, 50% open places?

I thought all the Merton church schools did this but not totally sure.

[giantkatestacks]

No I agree slummymomma - just didnt want to upset anyone here who may have done it - I come from a christian background myself and therefore would never do it - although I accept that vicars actually dont mind because it does get people into the churches and involved.

It will be interesting with the new intake to see if it reflects the facial mix of Wimbledon a bit better as well - HT used to be a very white school.

[slummymomma]

Giantkatestacks - there are a fair few foundation places over the other side of Haydons Road.

The situation will change this year as the admissions policy is changing re which church gets preference. It used to be Holy Trinity first then other christian churches. It looks likely that preference will now go to HT plus Christchurch Colliers Wood and High Path - this may result in children coming in from those churches as well. But with 60 places to fill rather than 30 the catchment area has to widen.

On the 'finding god' policy to get into schools there is a fair amount of it that goes on - as does elesewhere in London. The church knows it goes on and the criteria for a church place have been expanded. I understand why people do it but I find the hypocrisy truly shocking - particularly when you come across people who truly deserve a church place but have been bumped by people playing the game.

Sorry rant over...

[giantkatestacks]

she is a nice vicar - we've been to some lovely christening services there...

lots of people will openly go on Sunday just enough to get into the school - its just one of those things isnt it...and tbh when the situation is so difficult its hard to judge them for it. Still, the extra 30 places should help.

[angrypixie]

Doozle, can recommend the Priory!