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Original poster

Primary schools in Colchester

12 replies

SimLondon · 07/11/2013 10:12

Would appreciate any feedback on primary schools in North Colchester, our catchment one has quite a poor ofsted report but has a good reputation locally.

I'm also quite new to the area, our closest primary school isn't the catchment one we come under - what are the chances of getting into a non-catchment school?

OP posts:

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 07/11/2013 14:11

Hi,
My DS is only 15 months so we're not yet at that stage but I worked as a primary supply teacher for about 18 months round here. Which schools are you thinking of?
Also, logically any not so good school will be working harder than an already good or outstanding school to improve themselves. Local reputation is an important factor in choosing I think.

Original poster

SimLondon · 07/11/2013 14:25

Thanks it was Boxted / Langham / Horkesley areas.

OP posts:

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 07/11/2013 14:35

Sorry, I didn't work in any of those areas.

LocalEditorColchester · 08/11/2013 20:12

SimLondon - I feel your pain. We are currently looking for our DS. Our catchment school is absolutely dire and frankly will be going there over my dead body. However there are 4 other primary schools in close proximity that are all good/outstanding and we'd be happy for our sons to go to any of those. But applying out of catchment seems a bit of a gamble - especially when the schools are massively oversubscribed. There's so much talk about tactics. One of the schools said the year before last they didn't take any children out of catchment, but last year they took 17. All depends on birthrates/how many siblings each year. In the end I rang Essex County Council's Essex Choice Advice Helpline on 0845 603 2200 for some advice. Their advice boiled down to "go with your gut" if you have a favourite - put it down first and hope and pray. Its a bit of a gamble but you're never going to know the odds you're up against (even if you know the birthrate that year, you'd need to know how many of those children were born in your exact area) so if you put down your favourite you tried didn't you? I was also given that advice by two head teachers of those schools. They say moving house and losing a loved one are on the list of most stressful experiences in life - there's no flipping mention of choosing your children's schools! What does everyone else think? Katie

LocalEditorColchester · 08/11/2013 20:15

PS - As Annoyed says, I often hear that it is sometimes better to go with a school which is working its way up than one that's been at the top and maybe getting a bit complacent?

Original poster

SimLondon · 09/11/2013 16:08

Sadly I don't think any of our 3 nearest schools are at the top in terms of ofsted, our catchment school appears to be under special measures. Our closest school appears to have fairly good results - why our closest school couldn't be our catchment school I don't know.

OP posts:

Cara86 · 13/11/2013 16:41

Have any of you considered the new free Montessori school which should be opening in 2015 in North Colchester? I've been a Montessori teacher for 4 years and i can't recommend this approach enough :) I'll def be putting Poppy's name down when she's old enough! Google free Montessori Colchester for more info and to put your name down. Hope that helps :) x

non87 · 11/12/2013 14:11

We will be moving to north Colchester-the Myland area in a few weeks. I'll appreciate any recommendations and or warnings about the schools(highwwods, Brinkley grove & Myland) in the area.

pittcity · 13/12/2013 15:24

New league tables from yesterday's Gazette.

Original poster

SimLondon · 20/12/2013 20:46

Only just seen these replies, Cara - i had no idea there was a new montessori school due to open up at Severalls, definitely will want to go for a look round - potentially that might be our nearest school depending on exactly where they build it, but on the other hand I'd be a bit worried about being the guinea pig if you see what i mean.

non87 - i think the montessori school will probably be close enough for you to be an option. As for the others I've not heard anything bad about any of them, i suspect Highwoods may have slightly better key stage results - worth checking for yourself. In fact Highwoods in the past has got kids into the local grammar school, no idea if the others have. I can recommend a good nursery in the area if that's the right age group for your DC.

Thanks for the link pittcity - looks like my closest school is still doing very well and my catchment school is now doing a bit better.

OP posts:

non87 · 14/03/2014 15:46

Thanks Sim London, that was really helpful!! Sorry for the late reply.

Yes! I'll be interested in knowing the good nursery in the area you have in mind as I have a little daughter who is 2yrs. Thanks once again!

MylandMa · 29/05/2014 18:24

Hello, just seen this thread and thought I'd add an update (I'm also Myland). The Montessori won't be opening now until at least September 2016 (and in fact it's not 100% it's going to be a Montessori as they are still making bids). Also know a good nursery in the area if you want any recommendations. Cheers

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