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Original poster

Ridgeway school in South Croydon or Selsdon primary?

13 replies

ninamag · 03/05/2009 20:37

I didn't get any of my four choices and am still without a school for my 4 year old. The council have said that am 11th on waiting list for my first choice so its doesn't look good.
They want me to go on the waiting lists for other schools- Ridgeway and Selsdon primary. I am not sure as I did have a look around last year and wasn't keen on either of them.
Any experiences of either school? Good or bad thanks in advance.

OP posts:
AutumnMists · 03/05/2009 21:30

My dh went to Selsdon primary and it was excellent altho largish with 100+ entry I think.

Not sure what it would be like now tho ...

LadyMuck · 03/05/2009 21:49

They're both 3 or 4 form entry, which I guess is why they are being suggested (the waiting list is more likely to move). Which were your preferred schools?

Ridgeway gets good results, though in part this reflects its middle-class intake, and has a very high adult:pupil ratio. As a school it does have a different feel to its neighbours, Gresham and Atwood. Personally I liked it, but I guess that it isn't for everyone, and it does have a very small but steady stream of parents who leave for more conventional schools. It recently got a very average Ofsted, but I think that that has generally been seen as a less than impressive inspection. The previous Ofsted is still on the site I think.

Selsdon Primary takes a fair number from Monks Hill estate as well as Selsdon Vale. Its results reflect the different intake.

Original poster
ninamag · 04/05/2009 10:09

My preferred schools- Gresham, Atwood, Greenvale and I put the Hayes down as fourth choice on the off chance I would get as my eldest is in year 6 but we are not classed as a sibling. I looked around ridgeway last year and decided against putting on my choices but now am 3rd on the waiting list so it looks like it will be there
No one has really convinced me it is the school for my daughter it seemed quite chaotic.

OP posts:
Metella · 04/05/2009 10:36

Well, I would choose Ridgeway over Selsdon - the latter does not have a particularly good reputation.

The one major advantage of Selsdon is that it is a feeder for Riddlesdown (although heaven knows why as it is so far away). Of course, that may not be relevant for you as your first child may be joining a different secondary school shortly.

If you are near the Hayes (assuming you got in on distance with your dc1), surely you are closer to Roke than Selsdon? Roke got a very good OFSTED recently - did you visit it?

Original poster
ninamag · 06/05/2009 13:03

My closest school is Ridgeway as we moved a couple of years ago that's why we didn't get into the Hayes this time (DD1 is in year 6 now there) When I visited Ridgeway last year I was not impressed but now they look the better option than Purley oaks or anything else the council may offer me which is nothing so far...
Not sure how much choice I will have in the final say anyway.

OP posts:
LadyMuck · 06/05/2009 13:37

If you are in catchment for Ridgeway then how far down the Atwood and Gresham lists are you?

Would definitely opt for Ridgeway over Selsdon, esp if you are near.

Seeline · 06/05/2009 13:44

I love Ridgeway and am very happy with it. Yes - it does have a totally different approach to education - particualrly if you are comparing it to somewhere like Attwood, but providing that you are willing to leave your assumptions of what constitutes standard primary eduction at the door, I think it works. Certainly, it has a very happy and welcoming atmoshpere. The children appear happy, and as they progress through the school, become very rounded, confident individuals. Parents are welcomed in to the school at every opportunity, which I think is a good sign, and that the school is happy for parents to see what goes on during the school day.

ArtyJennie · 02/06/2010 10:11

Out of interest- does anyone know what the rough catchment area is for Ridgeway? I'm surprised you are considering Selsdon over Ridgeway- Ridgeway has a really good reputation. It seems to get mentioned on a lot of Estate Agent adds too.(?)

We are thinking of moving to Purley Oaks Rd and I wondered if we'd be in the catchment there.

Ladymuck · 02/06/2010 11:59

Purley Oaks Road should be in catchment unless there are hoards of siblings in a particular year. Phone the school office - they're fairly clued up as to where is "in" or not.

But this is an old thread!

nikki1978 · 02/06/2010 12:05

I am in Downsway and my DD is at Ridgeway (Reception) so it is well in the catchment. I am pretty happy with it as a school. It was my 3rd choice but actually I think it suits my DD best as Atwood is very academic. Gresham I would have loved as I went there but is is such a small school that it is nigh on impossible to get in.

I think Ridgeway is better than Selsdon Primary. It is a bit 'hippyish' which sometimes gets on my nerves but I am learning to let my DD go with the flow rather than expecting her to be reading by the end of reception for example. It seems to be working and she is very happy there. DS starts at their nursery in Sept and he can't wait!

nikki1978 · 02/06/2010 12:07

Sorry just realised that this is over a year old so the Selsdon Primary thing doesn't matter now

ArtyJennie · 02/06/2010 12:16

Thanks for the replies. Do you know if the Ridgeway is a feeder school for anywhere? Or What are the usual destinations of the Ridgeway pupils after yr6?

nikki1978 · 02/06/2010 12:18

Riddlesdown mainly - as are all the Sanderstead Primarys. But some go to St Andrews or Tennisons or Warlingham and some go private.

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