Living in High Barnet area????

[Tultuli]

Hello, I am a mum of a nearly 2 yr old and thinking of moving to High Barnet area. I would appreciate if anyone can advise about this area on following factors:-

1>Primary Schools -> I have read about Underhill Infant school which has been graded good. But would love to hear from mums whose children go this school. (Personal experiences)...Can u name a few more good schools?

2> Nursery-> Are there good nurseries around?

3> What are the good areas to live in near best schools catchment area?

We are planning to move by next year...hope to hear from someone....Thanks in advance!!!

2 Headstart Nursery is very good - my DD has done there for nearly 4 years.

Catchment areas are very small for many Barnet schools, so perhaps you need to view the schools and then try to move a few doors along. Don't want to scare you but often even children in the road in which schools are in don't get a place.

Thanks Janpa , that was really helpful...do u live in high Barnet? Is ur DD in sch now? I know that you literally have to live within 1/4 mile or maybe less of the sch u prefer...That is quite difficult...which sch wud u recommend? :-)

I teach in the Borough of Barnet. My DD is due to start school in September but we live in a surrounding area. My honest recommendation, as a mummy & teacher, is to look at schools and get a feel for what is best for your child. That's what I did for my DD - I didn't read the Ofsted reports or listen to gossip, but I visited a selection of schools and thought just of DD. I didn't think of how much she could achieve in terms of Year 6 SATs, or whether the school canteen was set up as a cafe with children running a radio station, but just what FELT like the school where she would be happiest. Luckily for me that happened to be our local school, but I really would have a look round to get that feel. Sorry not to recommend individual schools but so many Barnet schools are good, it has to be which is the 'good' school for your child.

Yes, I agree with your point...It is always good to visit the schools to come to a decision...We are new parents and I feel by sharing thoughts & getting information from other parents are always helpful...

As a teacher, can you please advise me as to what I should be looking for when we do school visits? I think your advise on this will be quite useful..

When the Head Teacher does his/her tour, do they seem proud of the school?
Does s/he acknowledge individual staff and children (happy staff make a big difference to your child's education)
Are children all occupied?
Is Early Years (Nursery and Reception) play focussed and child centred (ie planning is based on the children's interests and needs)
Remember to pay attention to what is said about the older classes - it's easy to only focus on early years when your child is young, but they will get to Key Stage 2, the juniors, in a few years, so, for example, if you disagree with homework but they do 2 hours a night in Year 3, you need to think about that.
If you need them, do they do a breakfast club or after school club?
If you are interested - do they encourage children in PE, the arts, music etc?
Please contact me if you want any more advice.

Thanks a ton for the info...

I also had another question. I have read about some cases where parents did not get any of their preferred choices, instead the council offered them places in below average schools. Hence we were thinking of renting a property rather than buying before a decision is made on my DD's application for a school place. If my DD is offered a place in a school of our choice and then we buy a property which might be further away from the school, will that affect my child's place in the school in the current or following years?

Can you please provide any advice on this?

Firstly, make sure all choices you put on the form are sensible ones, ie ones you have a chance of getting. If you don't get any of your choices you will be offered a school place, not necessarily at a below average school, but one which has places to fill - this could be a good 3-form entry school for example.
I don't know for sure about the moving issue. Once your child has started school (as oppose to nursery) they wouldn't take away a school place but why don't you phone admissions on 020 8359 2000?
Keep me posted.

I too had same thghts reg a child's place in the sch if there is any movement later but not sure...I dont think if a place has bn offered , it wud be tkn away if address changes. But will get a confirmation..Thanks for the no.

When u say choices being "sensible ones" I can only think of distance/ catchment area...Is there is anything else I need to know? Pls let me know.

Lots of parents are shocked when their child doesn't get into a Church school, even though location can be the 7th criteria. The size is another thing to think about a half-form entry school will have fewer places to fill. At secondary school level it is silly to request a single sex school for religious reasons, but put a mixed school as another choice if it comes to appeal. Maybe you should start by phoning schools and asking for a tour. Let me know how you get on.

I see...How many criterias are there btw? I thght there were 3. Special needs, siblings and geography... what other ? Please enlighten me :-))

Can anyone recommend a curtain maker in the area.I have all the materials.