Darell Primary School

[misskowalski]

hi there, we are moving to Richmond on 25th October. I have two kids aged 9 and 4. I have been looking at the schools - the admissions people told me that they have plenty of year 5 places for my son but reception is full everywhere. Marshgate is a favorite but we are looking at Darell Primary - I know it had bad press before but I wonder if it has changed or if any Richmond parents out there have kids who go there and could give me an honest review. Any pointers / honest feedback would be greatly appreciated. thanks,
Steph

My friend reluctantly accepted a place for her dd there (now y1) and has been really happy with it. Good luck.

I have a daughter in Y3 at Darell. It is fine - the Ofsted grading is Good, which is the same as Queens, Kew Riverside and Holy Trinity, if that matters to you. The nicest thing about Darell is the teachers, IME. If you want an academic powerhouse, then hold out for Marshgate. If you want a school which is gentle, kind, caring and friendly, send them to Darell. Have you actually looked around the schools, btw? My cousin just looked round some of them and was surprised by how much she didn't like some of the more popular schools.

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. I called marshgate, kew riverside and Darell up this morning to organise visits - the most friendliest of the lot was Darell - I must admit I had earmarked Marshgate as I'd been put off by comments I had seen before about the school before, We are visiting Darell on Tuesday morning. Hoping it's nice as we are moving to the next street and it would be so convenient :)

Good luck with your visit (s), and good luck with picking/getting a school. Darell is a bit of a building site at the moment as we are expanding to two form entry so everything is all over the place. Hope that doesn't put you off as hopefully there will be lovely things in the future like a bigger library. Are you coming from abroad or just somewhere else in the UK?

Darell is a really friendly school - if you're coming from far away you will find a really nice community here with people from all over the world and parents and children of every possible kind. I really like this about our school - I have friends in the parent community from America, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Bulgaria, Russia, Brazil, Scotland, Ireland and loads more. I grew up just a few miles away but I love that we are such a melting pot.

Hi again - thanks :) we are moving down from North London - we live in parliament hill fields - bottom of Highgate hill at the moment - nearest train is gospel oak so not too far away. I've lived in London since 1997 and my mums from here too . I love the diversity of London and the opportunities and different people you get to meet like no where else. Wouldn't be put off building -I will be looking for a good vibe more than anything.

*sorry meant wouldn't be put off by building works

You should look at Holy Trinity

We love it. Amazing teachers, friendly kind and warm environment, really driven academically and beautiful new buildings and outside space.

Yes I'm biased but I too accepted our offer reluctantly and now have both DC at HT and wouldn't move them for any otter school including Marshgate and Sheen Mount

Holy Trinity is also a lovely school. We live pretty much exactly in between HT and Darell. We chose Darell mainly on the lack of religion and uniform. Unfortunately they then added the uniform!

Tbh, there is no primary in this borough that is really a bad school.

I don't know the specific schools but I would reiterate absinthe's point that no schools are bad here.

However if you did want a particular school and you can get your yr5 child in, that puts your younger child top of the waiting list ! A very common manoeuvre ! Good luck

Hi!
I know is this a super old thread
But we are essentially doing the exact same move as you
Did you end up sending your kids to Darrel? We are considering it- how did you find it?