How do i know which is the ebst primary school in Cambridge?

[LaCerbiatta]

My dd will be going to schoool in September 2010 and I'm really confused about how to find the best school! I know that the one in our catchment area is one of the worst in the region so we'll be moving house this summer (we rent, and had been thinking about moving to a bigger house for some time, so school isn't the only reason).

All other parents seem to know exactly which schools are good and which aren't, but we don't have a clue.... What is this based on? League tables? Ofsted results? Are there comparison tables?

Thanks!

Hi tugamommy, not going to give you the answer you're wanting (as a teacher) but just to say that a decent kid with supportive parents (who read to the child, help with homework etc) should do well in any school. For "best" school read "the one the middle class kids go to". Go on a visit. See if teachers/students are friendly and respectful to eachother. Find out what activities they are involved in. A school might cram knowledge into your dd's head so she passes tests, but do they care for her and help her develop as a whole person? That's what I'll look for for my ds.

Well Tugamommy, you probably need to think about what 'best' is going to mean to you. In cambridge, in particular, we are very lucky in that we have very few actively bad schools (not denying there are a couple, but most have good/outstanding ofsteds).

If you're interested in academic performance, look at the SATs and be prepared to put in the time yourself helping her education. If you're interested in developing a particular side of your child, or getting her support in one particular area, then you'll need to visit all the schools you are interested in, ask lots of questions and talk to the other parents there. Now is probably the right time to be thinking about it, I guess.

Or you can post in the mumsnet local section and ask us Cambridge-ites what we think of our schools?

I've lived in Cambridge 10 years and have heard a lot of rubbish spoken about local primaries. They are all pretty good but people can be quite extreme in their views. I agree with the above posters - look at Ofsted reports, have a look round the school, chat to the head and then just follow your gut.

The really good thing about Cambridge is that you can generally get into the school you want (if you're able to wait a bit) as lots of good schools means there's not enormous waiting lists for most schools.

Also, cos of of a fairly mobile population (cos of university types on visiting scholarships) places come up all the time.

Thanks everyone!

This is all very new to me! When I was growing up, my parents never worried about which school we went to, we went to our local and that was that. We were very supported at home and new the importance of doing well, but other than that it was just not an issue.

And that is my instinct, make sure my dd is in a happy place, where pupils are respected and supported and given all opportunities that will help her to do well. I'm absolutely terrified of a school that will cathegorise students at the age of 4 or 5 according to ability, where they'll feel the pressure to do well, where there's so much competition instigated by the parents that I'll be 'forced' to act the same way....

We're now in the process of moving house and had to start doing some research on schools. That's when I posted this message, when it was all a bit too overwhelming!....
Things are becoming a bit clearer now and at least I know where to look for the ofsted reports and the league tables. I'll definitely come back here to ask about specific schools once we start viewing houses. I'm sure I'll get valuable information!

At this stage, I mostly concerned about getting as close as possible to the station to ease my commute!

Thanks everyone

Near the station look at Morley, St Pauls, Queen Ediths, St Philips and St Matthews- all good, slightly different ethos at each school. Find the one you like best I know kids thriving in all these schools. I think family is still the most important thing!

Homerton Children's Centre (state nursery for 3-4 year olds) is FABFABAFB

could anybody tell me what abbey meadows school is like? we may be doing a house swap and will be moving into the ditton fields area, but i dont know a lot about the area or abbey meadows school or if there are other schools nearby as i dont drive, any help on this would be great! thanx :)

Do a new post, this is a zombie (old thread).