The Vineyard School, Richmond

[mikib3]

We are moving into Richmond in the coming months, and would love to know more about the Vineyard School from other parents who have enrolled their children there. What are the best qualities of the school? Are children happy there? Any negatives about the school? Thank you for any input.

Most of the primary school age kids in our street go/have gone there. It seems like a very good choice - the ones that have left are at schools like Tiffin and St Paul's now.

It seems like a pleasant, happy place. We tried to get in but arrived in the area too late, so were only wait listed. Our kids play with lots of Vineyard kids and they all day they enjoy the school. I have been to events in the school - they have nice facilities.

It's a state school so you have big classes and the odd bulge year but I would say go for it, if you live close enough to get a spot. The catchment area seems to get tighter every year.

Thank you so much for your reply. I was interested in hearing from someone local on their thoughts.

Anybody else have experiences with the Vineyard School?

My friends have sent their daughter there - she is now in Year 6 and they have been very happy with it. Husband teaches secondary and wife is quite analytical so I am sure they would have pulled her out if it wasn't a good school!

We had friends who moved their DC there from another school and were delighted with it - lovely school!

They have the senior school destinations on their website. Most DCs are going on to Orleans and Waldegrave for 2013 but this is different from the 2 previous years when Christs and Grey Court were more popular. I would try and get hold of the destination list for this year and see who's going where now and why. There is a lot of pressure on senior school places in Richmond and I know it seems a long way away now but you need to bear this in mind when looking at primary schools and choosing exactly where to live. Have you looked at the Richmond local senior school thread to see what's happening?
It is ridiculous to suggest that all DCs go on to St Pauls and Tiffin, the most selective schools in the country. There will be a range of abilities as there will be at any non-selective school. From the lists only 2 went to either of the St Pauls in the previous 3 years.

I have two daughters in years 5 and 6 at the Vineyard. It is an amazing school. V enthusiastic teachers and staff. They were top nationally for SA5 6 grammar last year. The majority of children go on to Waldegrave or Orleans with a handful to Tiffin or Independent schools.
The catchment area is very small however.

Grey Court is a really popular destination but their catchment shrank this year and not all children got in unless they were at the top of the hill. As all schools over-offered the waiting lists didn't move as quickly. Orleans Park is also popular since the link policy got dropped, but only those in East Twickenham would make it in the catchment area. A lot of girls get into Waldegrave if they are the Richmond side of the river.

The number going to the more selective private schools varies according to whether parents can afford it AND are motivated to apply, so it's no indicator whatsoever of standards. About 6-9 pupils per year have been offered places at Tiffin in the last three years (some turn those places down in favour of private or other state options), but the number actually putting in an application and sitting the test will vary from year to year, depending on how relaxed parents are about the alternatives.

However, the school did get very high SATs results last year compared to the rest of the borough. This year Richmond borough topped the national league tables again (see here).