Primary schools in Hackney

[fyefoot]

Hello, need some advice. We are in living in Stokey & love it but about to move again and I think we need to start thinking about schools etc. Our DD is only a year so I know things can change drastically but we have seen a good size place on Hackney/Stoke Newington borders but local primary (Northwold Primary) hasn't got a good OFSTED and not rated well on Good Schools Guide, although has a new head and seems to be improving things (slightly!). We have also been looking towards Alexandra Palace but it would mean getting somewhere much smaller. So, I guess the dilemma is do we buy somewhere in Stokey which is bigger with big garden etc but schools not so great (although could change) or look towards Alexandra Palace and compromise on space and outside space? We can't really afford the places round Church Street. Am I worrying about schools too early? I really don't know but has to be said that when we move this time we don't want to have to move again for a long old while. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

[MrsMattie]

William Patten, St Mary's on Church St, Betty Layward - all good primary schools in Stokey.

Grassmere and Princess May and that other one beginning with G (mental block..) aren't so well thought of.

We left Stokey a couple of years ago, so that could be out of date by now.

Shit secondary schools, though...

[smee]

Grasmere's good - it's a sell a kidney to get in school now. Princess May still a bit woeful apparently. Shacklewell good down that end though, and a bit further still into Dalston, Colvestone is bouncing back too.
Stoke Newington Secondary is fab from what I hear. Though 'tis true it's full of BL kids

[vonsudenfed]

Interestingly, what I've heard about the Stoke Newington S is that it's very good for girls - results almost as good as Camden High. But the flip side of that coin is that boys, or at least some boys, may not do as well...

I'm ex-stokie too - having moved in when it was full of hippies and impoverished 'creative' types who couldn't afford Islington. That was quite a while ago mind you; but I still come back once or twice a year to see friends and stare aghast at the insanely expensive shops. It was all second-hand bookshops round here when I was a girl...

[frogs]

There's a designer kids' clothes shop on Church Street called 'Olive Loves Alfie'.

[vom]

[vonsudenfed]

It's that baby shop that sells £300 high chairs and organic knitted cashmere vests that does my head in every time. But I have moved to the provinces now, so I clearly know nothing...

[KeithTalent]

Colvestone about to get new head.

[Umlellala]

Ohhh dh hates Olvie loves Alfie. He wants to open the door and shout rude words every time we walk past.

Me, I sigh wistfully and wish I had time to make them clothes like that. If I won the lottery I would so dress them head-to-toe in boho frippery that costs a fortune from there.

Hmmm... micro scooter? check.
Tripp Trapp? check.
Scruffy Maclaren with buggy board? check. (either that or a Bugaboo)

My name is Umlellala and I am a Stokey Mum

[madameDefarge]

oh, Umi, thank you for being so brave and sharing! I was a stokey mum, but I've gone cold turkey...I just wasn't intense enough....

[cluttered]

Hoxtonchick where in Hackney are you and what school is your ds at? We are in Clapton, anyone else from that area?

[Mamonaku]

In Clapton, Millfield's Community School and Rushmore School have good reputations.

There's a good school near London Fields. Forgotten what it's called....Gayhurst?

In Stoke Newington Betty Layward has a great academic reputation and an equally notorious reputation for the pushiest parents in Hackney.

[shiftynamechange]

What about Lauriston in Victoria Park?

It's not quite the direction you've been looking but it's a great area, with a great feel.

And the school is truly amazing - creative and nurturing. Masses of school trips, music and extra-curricular stuff.