Bernards Heath / The Grove

[sarshe]

Hi there,
I posted a while ago asking for info about St Albans and Harpenden schools as we're relocating in April from NZ, most likely to St Albans or Harpenden. I just wanted to thank everyone who responded once again for such helpful info, and ask yet another couple of questions!
Just on Bernards Heath and The Grove schools - how would you rate these schools, esp for a slightly timid Yr 1 kid coming in mid-year? I see on ofsted that BH infants is rated good, and Grove infants outstanding, but that the Grove junior only ranks a 'satisfactory' while BH junior is rated 'outstanding'. I know that these are only a very basic steer, but they're all I have to go on at the mo - apart from mumsnet, and I got the feeling that people were talking quite highly of both schools on here?
Also - would the Garden Fields, conservation and Clarence Park areas be a convenient walk/drive to BH school? Could we also look in the area below Hatfield Road, or would that be a traffic mare?

Thanks again for your help!

My dcs go to The Grove JNR. Pastoral Care is very strong - they have just been choosen as one of 15 Lead Seal Schools for the County and it's not surprising - the school has a very caring approach. I never hear any bitching about the school or the teachers in the playground. It's a very open envirnonment, parents are encouraged to help out where ever they can according to their interests, so the school is often full of people helping out where they can - it has a real community feel. The new Head is also very popular and comes across as a strong leader - above all my dcs are happy there.

Hi RiceTart,
Thanks so much for your encouraging post. The school sounds fantastic - I had a feeling it was and was a bit surprised when I read the ofsted report. We're also going to be looking for ways to get involved in our new community and meet people, so a school that encourages parent involvement would be ideal. I'll keep looking for rental homes in the area. I think there was only one spot free at the infants school when we last called HCC, and of course that could go anytime before we get there, but we're working on opening up as many good options for schools/homes as possible at the mo, and hopefully one will work!
Which areas do most families with kids at The Grove live? Would it be generally the southern parts of Harpenden?
Thanks again!

If you're looking for a nice community feel - I'd head to Coleswood Road, if you can get a house there I think you'd settle in pretty quickly. But children come from quite a wide catchment - it's a big school. Ofsted report was odd because there's not much in the way of negativity contained within it but they still didn't score highly. Issues raised are being addressed though - no one is sitting on their hands. They listen to the dcs and have changed their approach in many areas since the new Head started.

I'm off to BH for a nursery tour in about an hour! Let me know if there are any questions I can ask on your behalf or if there is anything you want me to look out for

Thanks so much BBWA - missed seeing your post in time. Hope it went well! And thanks for the headsup on Coleswood Road RiceTart. Not too many rental properties coming up in that area on Rightmove at the moment but will keep an eye out.