Help! Panicking about Hackney primary schools.

[Jane7]

I used to laugh at mums obsessing about primary schools, but now I realize what it's all about! We live in Clapton/Homerton area and my dd is 20 months. I've always really liked Rushmore school and Kingsmead sounds good too, but I've just worked out (from local authority) we are outside both these catchment areas. The only catchment are we're in is a school called Daubenay that doesn't look great at all. I know it's still ages away but we've only just moved here and now I'm thinking we'll be stuck sending our dc to a school we don't like. Is there any point in trying to get on waiting list for Rushmore or do you have to pretty much accept that the nearest school is the one you have to go for? And what if I get dd into the nursery class, does that make a difference? Feel a bit nieave and stressed about this whole thing.
ps i've also posted this in local forum, hope that's ok

You could contact the Learning Trust and ask how far away from the school people lived in order to get in--it varies from year to year. 2009info in here
You could also spend some time at Daubeney to see if you like the atmosphere. You can't really rely on what other people say.

What about Mandeville they've just been Ofstedded as Good it is not far from Daubeney, would you be in their catchment? see contact details here. Second checking it out for yourself, but also ask local parents as schools always put it on a bit for visitors, parents will have stories from their kids and other parents. It would be easier to get in to reception if DD already in Nursery at your chosen school as you can say it is better for DD to stay in familiar surroundings where she is comfortable.

Thank you Arabica - I have checked out distances, which is why I'm worrying a little. We are out of catchment area of the two good schools in Clapton. But yes, thank you AllSheep, I've just found we are within catchment for Mandeville. Does anyone know much about this school?
Many thanks for these replies, appreciate people taking time to help me with my own worries when i know everyone has their own...
Jane X

I do understand your concern about your child's future education but if she's only 20 months there's a lot of time for things to change. Just think of this bit as doing research (ask local parents etc) - there's a while before you need to make a decision and things can change quickly with new heads etc.

I know you're right Rosebud, it's terrifying how easy it is to be swept up in it all

Please don't be worried; I have been supply teacher in a large number of schools in yr area as well. I think that the class teacher is the most important aspect of yr DCs school, not the OFSTED results.

THank you ppeat, very reassuring - can I be so bold as to ask where you've been supply teacher?

Jane7, sorry nothing to do with your question but it made me nostalgic as I went to Rushmore primary school 35 years ago.......
Good luck with getting into the school!

wow, tootles, that's amazing. Hackney must have been different place - did you enjoy Rushmore?

It was a very different place back then and the school was the old building not the new one that it is now.
It's good to know that it's a school in demand nowadays.
I hope you manage to get your little one in!

I've looked round both Mandeville and Daubeney recently. Both are good schools.

Mandeville has had a good OFSTED, is run by a Federation that brings in lots of resources, teachers and teaching methods from another OFSTED Outstanding school in it's trio of schools. The head seemed very good and on the ball.

Daubeney has just (last 2 terms) had a new head and deputy. The new head comes from an Outstanding school in Camden.

Both had lots of things going on, good classroom interaction, etc

Both have "old bad" reputations, but it just goes to show how quickly a school can change...

Rushmore and Millfields are schools nearby that my friends kids go to and enjoy - but even they had not so good OFSTEDs recently.

btw - you will never get into Kingsmead unless you live in the estate it sits in. Know lots of people who've been disappointed.

BTW - it makes NO DIFFERENCE going to the nursery of a school. Applications are all done centrally by the Learning Trust and not by the school.

Basically, you put 3 options down - in preference order.

(we didn't get any of our preferences, even though we chose 2 out of 3 nearest schools! that's why I've looked round what seems like all the schools in the area - we are on waiting lists for lots of schools)

I wouldn't worry too much about primary to be honest. Our local school was not a popular choice 8 years ago, but moving wasn't an option and all the other local options were massively over-subscribed. People looked at me in horror when I told them where DD was going. The school was fairly grotty building with a very mixed catchment area (including a big council estate) and a newish head. Results were not great, Ofsted reports were middling and the SEN and free school meals levels were higher than average.

Throughout the reception year various children left as they found places through waiting lists at more popular schools. The result was that during KS1, DD was taught mostly in a class of 22 and by very good teachers.

The new head has driven up standards and the school has been rebuilt. It's now a popular local choice and is oversubscribed. Both DDs have flourished there. DD1 is leaving for a very selective grammar, so has not been disadvantaged in any way by going to a 'weak' school.

thanks for these comments, and bealos, particularly interesting to hear about your experience going round Daubenay and Mandeville- and that Kingsmead not likely to have non-estate people. I suspected that.
Bealos - how are you getting on with your waiting lists? Any news? Really hope you get a place somewhere you're happy with. In the meantime, seems like you've become an expert on HAckney primary schools, so thank you for letting the rest of us benefit from your experience.

Hi - We are just about to move to Clapton and are in the catchment for both Millfields and Rushmore - but we noticed St John and St James Primary has got an outstanding OFTSED report and is nice and small (only 245 pupils). Does anyone know anything about it ?

Hi - We are just about to move to Clapton and are in the catchment for both Millfields and Rushmore - but we noticed St John and St James Primary has got an outstanding OFTSED report and is nice and small (only 245 pupils). Does anyone know anything about it ?

Hi just saw this thread. Anything know anything about Morningside or Berger?

St John and St James is a lovely school, go and visit it!

you have to be a church-goer to go to st johns and st james...

Yes I gathered that..! I heard from another local mum that sends her children to St Johns and St James that it was a good school - although not that creative - and a bit results focused. The new Vicar is not so good either - so if you do go to church prepare to sit through a boring few sermons...Anyone got any ideas about the local nursery schools? Which ones are good?

i would also like to know a bit more about st john and st james, i understood they take children of people who are not church goers to, and have just got an outstanding ofsted - anyone know the SP on this? we live in lower clapton, G is 2 1/2 and i'd love to know which are the best primary schools around this area - opinions welcomed!

It would be easier to get in to reception if DD already in Nursery at your chosen school

not at all true. So many parents make this mistake every year and are horrified when their DC don't get into preferred primary school.

It's only distance on application date which is middle of January. I would make a school tour and speak to parents. And make sure you are in any catchment area - where we live now some parents didn't get a place at all, they were too far from the 6 closest schools & not religious enough to qualify for faith schools. These go by church attendance first, ideally for 2 years at least fortnightly.

From what I remember they take 5 children who come from different religions to add to the other 25. But those children do have to be from religious families, albeit non Christian. But do check as my memory may not serve me correctly.

Choose very, very carefully (I know this goes without saying) and I would have to say that the idea of choice for most families is a myth. We had some friends who just whacked down all the schools they liked in the belief they'd have to be given one of them and were disappointed to be allocated one they had not chosen and didn't like at all on visiting. It's all about distance in the end! However, Hackney primary schools have improved beyond belief in the last few years; my DCs attend one of the less 'popular' primaries and are happy, achieving very well and have made lovely friends.