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Education

primary schools in Wimbledon

72 replies

WobblyPig · 14/01/2009 19:31

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?

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WobblyPig · 16/01/2009 21:49

Ah Leopold road. We go to Amandine for coffee and croissants.
Also up for a meet up. See you on the other thread.

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FruitynNutty · 16/01/2009 21:49

Could you get to Colliers Wood? Singlegate is a lovely school but, again, quite hard to get into.
My nearest is also Merton Abbey but there's no way on earth I'm sending DS there!!!

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Takingitslowly · 16/01/2009 21:52

What's bad about Merton Abbey out of curiosity? I don't know much about it.

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FruitynNutty · 16/01/2009 21:53

I can't believe there are people here from my neck of the woods

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FruitynNutty · 16/01/2009 21:55

I couldn't pin point one thing but not one person I've spoken to about it has said anything positive. I've heard even people who live on the estate it's on refuse to send their children there

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WobblyPig · 16/01/2009 21:57

Merton Abbey is based on the highpath council estate and generally has a rather grotty appearance. Ofsted mediocre. Not inspiring overall. May be being overly prejudiced.
FruitynNutty where are you?

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FruitynNutty · 16/01/2009 22:01

That's what I meant to say Wobblypig
Hard not to sound snobby isn't it!

I'm Liberty Avenue, You?

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WobblyPig · 16/01/2009 22:05

Hamilton Road.
Yes I didn't want to com across that way but you want the best for your children. i am not academically ambitious for DS I just want him to not be disadvantaged by the school he attends.
At the moment I feel that he will suffer because of where we chose to live 5 years ago. Not a good time to move into a catchment area either.

how old is your DS FruitynNutty

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FruitynNutty · 17/01/2009 13:24

That's exactly what I said to a mother yesterday morning at playgroup when talking about schools - you want the best. That's why we chose Singlegate as it's the best primary within walking distance to me. Trouble is there's a chance my DS (3.5yrs) won't get into the reception in September, no idea what we'll do then!

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giantkatestacks · 17/01/2009 14:15

isnt there all saints as well? - surprised no one has mentioned it - though its not supposed to be very good either...

Have friends with kids at garfield and they all like it though the head is supposed to be a bit weird.

TBH if you're interested in schools then you need to be moving to Sutton - Merton has always been dreadful. The secondarys are worse IMO. Sorry to be so depressing.

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angrypixie · 17/01/2009 17:12

There are some great Merton primaries - just hugely over subscribed.

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noddyholder · 17/01/2009 17:16

My ds went to hollymount It was lovely but he is 14 now so obviously may have changes a lot.Its in raynes park

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WobblyPig · 17/01/2009 17:37

The problem is that we are not really in position to move. The stamp duty alone couldpay for a couple of years in private school. Not that private is really an option for us . Maybe I will ahve to consider home education but that would mean giving up my part-time job and may be difficult as hve another baby due.

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giantkatestacks · 17/01/2009 17:51

wobblypig fwiw I think if you're the sort of person with the time and patience to homeschool then you will probably do a lot of work with your dcs at home and it wont matter where they go to school..you should get into garfield anyway in hamilton road I would have thought.

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slummymomma · 17/01/2009 19:22

Wobblypig - with HT doing a double intake again this year (and likely to continue doing so) I think you have a good chance of getting in from Hamilton Road. I know someone who got in from Hamilton Road last year when HT had to offer an extra 30 places in July. She didn't take it up in the end but it is possible.

Have you applied for Sept 2009 or applying for Sept 2010?

Also there are lots of people in those Battle roads with children at Priory so don't despair!

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WobblyPig · 17/01/2009 20:16

Sept 2010. Thanks for the words of encouragement. need to keep my options open I think a the moment. Just very very shocked about the difficulty in this area. My sister Home educates and finds it hard going but if it was that or Merton Abbey I think I wold have to bit the bullet.

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Doozle · 17/01/2009 20:18

Hi another Wimbledon person here.

Slummymomma, whereabouts are the Battle roads, do you mean Battle Close, around there? Thanks a lot. Just wondering if we have a chance of getting into HT ... we weren't going to even bother applying for there. Think we are 900 metres away.

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WobblyPig · 17/01/2009 20:21

Doozle , where were you thinking of if not HT?

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slummymomma · 17/01/2009 20:29

By the Battle roads I mean Hamilton/Hardy/Victory and Nelson. There are HT children the other side of Haydons Road but not many.

Might be worth applying?

My DS2 is going into reception this year (he will get in as a sibling) but it will be interesting to see where the new children come from. Can report back to you then!

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giantkatestacks · 17/01/2009 20:50

Interesting to see that in the Merton admissions PDF it states that Pelham has a distance of 340m - annoying too that the church schools dont publish their stats.

slummymomma - its mostly church places on the other side of Haydons Rd isnt it? It is a very popular church with preschool familes isnt it

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Doozle · 17/01/2009 21:09

Thanks Slummymomma, I didn't know that was what that area was called. That's great you got in there. Please report back!

Wobbbly, Priory would be our other choice as we are 700 metres from there (as crow flies). We are also like you, going for 2010 intake.

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WobblyPig · 17/01/2009 21:20

It is very popular with pre-schoolers. Until now I thought it was because they have a nice female vicar who also is invovled inthe toddlers . they do cater well for families at HT church don't seem to mind toddlers running around.
Now I am looking with more suspicion at those attending with pre-schoolers.

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angrypixie · 17/01/2009 22:08

Doozle, can recommend the Priory!

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giantkatestacks · 17/01/2009 22:46

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.

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slummymomma · 18/01/2009 10:01

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...