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Original poster

Anyone thinking of applying for a place at the new University Primary school?

19 replies

SiliconJen · 04/10/2014 10:15

And would you be in or out of catchment?

We're out of catchment but could try for a place for DS (although only 20 places next year in yr 1 and yr 2). But is it all just hype? There's no track record to judge by, and we don't even know who the teachers will be!

Just curious to know what others thought about it all.

OP posts:
Shells · 05/10/2014 07:19

My daughter will be too old for it, but i'm watching with interest. The online information isn't very enlightening. It would be nice to think they would be a bit radical or different in their approach. But no evidence of that yet.

jaynebxl · 05/10/2014 07:27

I'd consider it if mine weren't already settled.

Pufflesome · 05/10/2014 20:15

Haven't heard of it... Where is it? We could be interested.

Original poster
SiliconJen · 06/10/2014 13:16

It's going to be on the North West Cambridge development, between Madingley Road and Huntingdon Road. There's a website at www.universityprimaryschool.org.uk. There was an open day on Saturday but I didn't manage to go.

OP posts:
prsnbx · 07/10/2014 08:12

I wouldn't worry about being our of catchment at the moment. There appear to be very few houses in catchment at the moment! Good luck to them.

Pufflesome · 07/10/2014 19:48

Thanks for the link. It's a long way from us so probably off our list but I will keep an eye on it. I'm glad that a school has been included in the project development at the West Cambridge site.

romseyroo · 07/10/2014 20:01

Yes I like the way they said they may admit out of catchment to begin with. Unless they are planning to teach the cows and sheep, they have little option as the catchment is currently essentially fields Grin. We are way the other side of Cambridge, but will be keeping an interested eye out. If it is run by people who know about education, it could be great. If on the other hand the planning committee consists of a load of random senior academics with a 'how hard can it be to run a primary school?' attitude, then god help them...

Original poster
SiliconJen · 07/10/2014 21:45

We're quite close but it's so hard to predict what it might be like, I think it's an opportunity I might pass on until there's a bit more info.

OP posts:
els195 · 13/12/2014 18:10

Hello there! Am I too late to add to this discussion? We live fairly nearby but within the catchment area for Mayfield. We are debating whether to apply or not!! We had a meeting with the Head who was very convincing and it sounds exciting.... Just don't want to be the only mum who applies and leaves my son attending an empty primary school! Anyone else applying or live nearby?

Lizardc · 15/12/2014 12:44

I have two friends with reception age children for September who are seriously considering it.

els195 · 20/12/2014 18:13

Thanks for letting me know. I moved here recently and don't know many people locally so that puts my mind at rest. Do they also live fairly close by? I know that when your child starts primary school you start to meet more mums and make friends, but i am worried no one will live nearby and this might not happen!!

Lizardc · 21/12/2014 08:03

They both live on or just off Huntingdon Road (one also, like you, in the Mayfield catchment) so yes, quite close.

els195 · 21/12/2014 10:24

Great, me too. That's helped me work out what to do. I've decided to put it as my first choice. Thanks!!

itsahen · 01/01/2015 15:01

I have a friend who has applied - not in catchment but moved as close as they could get as they really want it

els195 · 03/01/2015 22:00

Thanks itsahen, that's nice to know!

itsahen · 03/01/2015 22:57

Having looked at the plans it looks amazing !

Original poster
SiliconJen · 05/01/2015 17:00

Turns out I don't have to decide until summer term (yr 1 entry). It will be interesting to see how many people apply for reception.

OP posts:
FurlaBag · 14/03/2015 21:20

Has anyone given more thought to applying to the University of Cambridge primary school? We're considering it for reception in 2016. We live in the southern side but really like the sound of this school. A few concerns:

  • being an empty space with little equipment
  • no before and after school childcare provision
  • obviously the quality of the teaching and management
Any ideas?
ThePour · 23/03/2015 13:14

I think we can assume the teaching and management will be good. The head has a proven track record. The foundation/trust running the school I assume is full of experienced educationalists.

My concerns would be the same for any new build school:

  • There will be very few kids in the school to begin with.

  • No interaction with older kids as there are no juniors, only infants. Maybe fewer opportunities to make friends as smaller class sizes.

  • If there are other popular schools near by, kids may start there and then move when a place at a preferred school becomes available.
  • If you are travelling from the other side of Cambridge then your child's classmates may be dispersed around the city.
  • School population affects the amount of funding the school gets, I think, so that may have some consequences. Maybe not with a new build?

[The school are on twitter: twitter.com/UniCamPrimSch]

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