Moving to Waltham Forest - Info / Advice on Schools Near Highams Park

[sammyjo1978]

Hi Mums in Waltham Forest!

I am soon to be moving to Highams Park (which I am very excited about as it looks like a great area) and will be applying for schools at the end of this year for my daughter to start school in Sept 2014.

The houses we are looking at are close to Oakhill, Handsworth and Selwyn (in that order). I have heard good things about Oakhill and Handworth which would be the closest schools, however concerned we may not get in as they are so popular.

Infact from looking at the stats it seems the intake for Oakhill in 2013 reduced from 60 to 30 (does anyone know about this and why?) and so worried it will be even harder to get in here. Does anyone know what the intake is likely to be in 2014 (for which applications open for soon)?

Ive heard very mixed things about Selwyn and can see on the Ofsted website it currently 'requires improvement'. Im not phased by this as I can appreciate schools that require improvement have a lot of good resource thrown at them and sometimes have a change of managment so just wondered if any mums out there have any current feedback or experience of this school (good or bad)?

Many thanks! Any info, feedback or advice will be greatly received!!

Hi

Higham's Park is a great area and the majority of schools are good. I have no experience of Selwyn so cannot comment on what it is like at the moment. The reason Oakhill moved from an intake of 60 in 2012 to 30 in 2013 is that 2012 was a bulge class. Speaking to the school I don't think this will happen again, they are a small school on a small site so I don't think there is room. If you go on the Waltham Forest school website you can see the distance that each school took it's furthest child from. I believe Oakhill was 0.21 miles and Handsworth 0.39 miles this year so not far at all. Oakhill only had 11 places went to children on distance as the rest were sibling and statement.

Anyway good luck with your house hunting and school applications!

Hi

my ds goes to Selwyn and is now in yr 1. He started in reception and really enjoys going to school. Although the school has had trouble in the past this was due to a long term illness of the head teacher so there was a very disjointed leadership. This is all far behind the school as for the past 2 years there has been a strong and stable leadership team. The school has great communication with parents (reminder text messages so useful for all of those dress up as a ... days and weekly newsletters) and actively invites parents to many events. Last week Ian Whybrow the childrens author visited the school and my son was very excited about talking to him. I recently spoke with the Head of school and she is desperate for Ofsted to come in as they are due a visit so they can get their grading changed as she is expecting the next one to be minimum of good. The school has worked so hard I am sure they will get it and more. So please do not just read the ofsted reports I imagine most parents would agree that you really need to visit a school to get a feel for it and if your child is learning and is happy that is really the most important thing. The only thing I would say about Selwyn is I think the kids get too much homework and its a struggle to get my son to do it, it does seem to be more than is given to kids I know who attend Handsworth and Oakhill. Have a look at the various school websites as that can give you a good idea. I know parents of children of Ainslie Wood, Handsworth and Oakhill and all are pretty happy so I so think we are lucky to have such a choice of good schools in the area.

previous poster is correct about Oakhill it was a 1 off bulge year and very unlikely to be increased again for a number of years as school on very small site.

Good Luck with your move Highams Park is such a friendly area and before long you will meet so many people its hard to walk down the street and not bump into someone you know.

Thanks Sandifoot - that's really useful. We are moving v close to Selwyn, but I was a little put off by the last Ofsted report. Will have to go and have a look!