Catchment advice Brockley - in primary black hole

[StiffLittleFingers]

Hi all,
Am currently getting my knickers in a twist because, as suspected, our flat is not in the catchment areas for any of our local primaries in Brockley (apart from Lewisham Vale which is bizarrely further away, which I've not heard of, anyone know it?)

My dilemma is that we are very near to Prendergast Hilly Fields secondary school so would probably qualify if DD is bright enough. Do we hang on to our flat, take a deep breath for the primary years and sit tight for Prendergast? My nightmare would be that DD has to go to a poor primary school miles away, especially as we don't drive. Can't afford private primary education.

As we live in the conservation area of Brockley Our flat is apparently 'in demand' (according to slightly aggressive estate agents) so I am tempted to just sell up and move to the burbs. But even then, where can both good primary and secondary schools be guaranteed?

We really love living in Brockley so would rather stay :(
our flat is a large 2 bed but we may end up needing to move eventually if we have another DC.
Apologies for the length of this, just really shocked by how small the primary catchments actually are round here!

I meant Lucas Vale not Lewisham Vale!

Hi stiff

That's sounds like a nightmare! I think I know roughly where the conservation area is... Have you checked the catchment area for Beecroft gardens? I hear they have really improved recently.

Hiya, would be happy to go to Beecroft but their catchment for this year (or furthest child that got in) was nowhere near us ...

Beecroft has just been rated as outstanding by offsted.
My younger ones go to Stillness and eldest goes to Prendergast Vale Secondary - the junior school is improving as it has had lots of funding and now is an all through school with the secondary in it's third year.
You could try Ashmead - that is near St John's station. I know people who live in the area you appear to be talking about whose children go there.

Thanks guys. Would be v happy with Ashmead, it's definitely our nearest but the catchment seems to be tiny, and we are outside it. Just one form entry.
Still, with most local schools improving, the new primary at Prendergast Vale, and the fact John Stainer is now 2 form entry, I'm hoping we will be placed somewhere near-ish (we live on Tressillian rd).

It's a nightmare isn't it (went through the process last year). Would the admissions team at the council be able to tell you which schools might be in line for taking bulge classes next year (from what i can gather the schools themselves are very tight lipped on this as they try to resist them). I do know someone who was offered John Stainer last year due to them taking a bulge class, who is further away from there then you would be. Also the new Prendergast primary (the one in Crofton park) might be worth putting down given that no places will go to siblings.

I think you will just have to put down your closest schools generally but be strategic (ie, if like John Stainer they have recently increased to 60 intake then fewer places likely to go to siblings, consider new schools). If you are not allocated to any of your six preferences, accept the place you are offered, and then hold your nerve for the waiting lists at your closer schools. There does seem to be quite a lot of movement once these open and bulge classes are announced.

Let us know how you get on! And good luck ??

Prendergast Hilly Fields isn't selective. If that's what's worrying you. The catchment area is v small, and personally I think it's not necessarily a better option than plenty of other local schools - and frankly things will almost certainly change hugely in the next six-plus years before your daughter is eligible.

Thanks for your advice all! Well....we decided to put our flat on the market (for various reasons, one being it's a two bed flat). The primary thing worries me less now. Looking at houses in hither green, crofton park etc. House hunting a whole other headache! Trinity looks like an interesting Secondary over in hither green but as you say, schools can change enormously over the years.