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Original poster

Primary Schools in Kew/ North Sheen/ Richmond area: where's best?

52 replies

Panteramum · 29/11/2010 22:19

Help! Shock

We've just moved into the area (just off Manor Circus) and we have just learned that the deadline for 1my applications is looming and we have a daughter we want to get into a great school! we've heard Richmond Schools are great, but we've no idea where to begin and we're not sure we can get too much time off work at such short notice to visit all the likely schools.

Can you good folks out there give us the benefit of your insider knowledge and suggest which primaries are worht putting on our application form and why. Conversely, which ones should we avoid (or at least put WELL down on our list of 6!)?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Horton · 22/12/2010 21:56

I live really close to Manor Circus and know lots of children in our road who go to Marshgate. I think you have a reasonable chance, depending on where exactly you are.

SlightlySparkly · 23/12/2010 00:10

Holy Trinity has come on leaps and bounds. I know lots of people with DCs there and all of them are thrilled with it. The head teacher is lovely - really warm but driven and it has made a huge difference to the results they are getting. It has also recently become a 2 form entry and is currently undergoing a 7million pound building refurb.

willow · 29/12/2010 21:40

Bit late to discussion, but not all Sheen Mount kids go to private secondary schools. A good chunk went on to Greycourt last year - unfortunately not quite enough to warrant linked status though!

Kewcumber · 30/12/2010 23:10

Odd Willow, as I think it was me who said that and I was quoting the headmaster!!! Not that I don't beleive you just odd that he should say it at a public meeting if it isn't true!

willow · 31/12/2010 10:16

Didn't say it wasn't true, just was pointing out that it isn't 100% that go on to private schools... and think lots more wouldn't if there was a viable state alternative nearby. Don't get me started on RPA - viable, my arse.

Kewcumber · 31/12/2010 11:13

But the headmaster very clearly said (in public) that "virtually all" of his pupils went on to private school - very odd if this isn't the case.

It isn't really clear yet whether RPA is a viable option is it? Glad I don't have to make that decision until it has a bit more history under its belt.

willow · 02/01/2011 09:15

I know exactly how many kids went to Greycourt last year - if memory serves correctly it was nine - but majority do go private, it has to be said. That said, think many more would go to Greycourt - and not bother even attempting the private route - if it was a given that they would get in.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 02/01/2011 09:29

The NCT talk must be for families aiming for September 2012 as this year's applications haveto be in on January 15th I believe?

Kewcumber · 03/01/2011 00:41

why don;t they go for greycourt and private and choose greycourt if they get in and private if they don;t? There isn;t a crss over between private and state applications are there? Way off for me so I'm not that up on th eapplication process.

willow · 03/01/2011 15:38

That's what people do - but isn't a given that, living in Sheen, you will get Grey Court.

Deaddei · 03/01/2011 16:42

Greycourt has a wide catchment-2 boys I know go there and they live in New Malden

willow · 03/01/2011 17:38

Catchment is getting smaller and smaller as the school becomes more popular. We met some girls from Chiswick there, who were in one of the senior years - no way on earth they would get in from there nowadays.

Kora · 22/03/2011 19:59

Too late to take into account re choices, and out of our hands anyway, but come April those interested in taking up places Darell should catch up with the school at some point as apparently they're advertising for a new headteacher to start in September this year. I certainly hadn't heard about this and it's on our list! Not much one can do, but worth knowing.

Kewcumber · 22/03/2011 21:27

Kora - I wouldn;t worry about it Riverside had new head teacher at the beginning of this year and much mutterings about whether the school would go downhill. It hasn't noticeably form what I can see. All the local schools are by any normal standards very good priamry schools and therefore tend to attract plenty ofgood people. Also provided all teh teachers don;t rush off in one go the immediate impact isnt great.

VicCB · 23/03/2011 12:53

Hello Richmond mums!

We are moving to Richmond soon. I have a 2 and three quarter yr old daugher! I don't know anything about the nurseries there. Can you give me any words of wisdom? We will be living on Richmond Hill (near The Vineyard) if it all goes well buying the flat we have offered on. I've heard good things about Asquith at Marshgate but they have a waiting list of 120 children for my daughter's age group so that sounds very unlikely. Do any of you have any recommendations. We're a bit clueless about Richmond as we are living in West Hampstead at the moment.

VicCB · 23/03/2011 12:55

PS Hello again to all the mums that I've already spoken with on the general rather than local Mums Net. Sorry to bore you with any repetition!

bellbottomedtear · 24/03/2011 09:41

is it for child care while you work or for a few hours like a state nursery you are looking?

VicCB · 24/03/2011 10:50

Hi bell.. right now she goes to a nursery two short afternoons a week. Ideally she'd go a bit more (for her development really). Any thoughts? It's not so much for child care... more for the social and educational development side of things... but I'm keen to know about good fun 'child care' options too... any and all idea are really helpful! Thanks in advance!

Kora · 24/03/2011 19:48

In your location you should maybe try the Maria Grey nursery school on friars stile, which is a pre-school nursery. Often very booked up, but might have afternoon places. I've heard good things. Also heard good things about Grena road nursery, which is more daycare but probably does slots. Best of luck!

Kewcumber · 24/03/2011 20:25

lots of good MOntessori nurseries around (though don;t know any ofthe richmond ones) and they will take childrne for 3 hr sessions from age 3

VicCB · 26/03/2011 13:30

Thanks guys. Sorry for late reply. I've been away. Kewcumber... what Montessori nurseries do you know of? I think we could travel a bit to a good one.

Kewcumber · 27/03/2011 23:12

we used the one on sandycombe road in Kew but there is another in Kew also and I have heard good things about the one in Mary Magdalene church Hallin MOrtlake.

castlesintheair · 29/03/2011 11:15

The Rainbow nurseries are excellent sessional nurseries (3 hours am or pm depending on location). There is one in Ormond Road or Sheen Park both near to you. For daycare, I would recommend Kings Road nursery or Grena Road over Asquith.

VicCB · 29/03/2011 12:04

Hello castles... is Asquith not so good? What do you like about Kings Road or Grena Road? I'll check them all out... inc the Rainbow ones. Thank you.

castlesintheair · 30/03/2011 11:25

Have heard a few unsavoury things about Asquith though I think it's fine for older children and it has an ofsted outstanding. Best to go and take a look and decide for yourself. The general consensus amongst people I know, is that Grena Road is better and King's Road is better still, and more expensive Wink