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Original poster

La Fontaine Academy

14 replies

JennyB99 · 08/08/2017 10:08

I'm hoping to send my daughter to La Fontaine in Sep 2018. Whilst the Ofsted report is "good", I had expected it to be better. Does anyone have children there? Are the children doing well and do they enjoy it? Thanks.

OP posts:
Carmo · 09/08/2017 21:33

Hi My DC studied there for 2 years. It is a lovely school but not for everyone. I took DC out because I didn't identify myself with the school anymore. Too strict in Reception. For summer born children this is not good at all. In my opinion the feels that all the children have the same ability and is extremely demanding. I also did not agree with the type of homework they give to children. In my opinion it was not appropriate for that particular school age. However, if you choose to aend your child to LF I am sure that he/she will be doing much better at reading and writing than in any other school..

Allyfe · 31/08/2017 00:28

My children are at LFA, going into Y4 and Y2. There are lots of things about the school I love, and other things that they need to work on, as with all schools. I thought that the Ofsted report was actually really fair. There are a lot of positives in the school, amongst them are the outstanding leadership. They are already working to address some of the issues raised in the Ofsted report. Ultimately, the school is headed up by a passionate and committed headteacher, it has a family atmosphere, and the kids are all very happy. As with all schools, there are some for whom it doesn't quite suit. We moved there from a very popular local school which simply didn't suit my DC. However, they are very happy at LFA.

Original poster
JennyB99 · 14/10/2017 20:33

Belated thanks for the feedback. I’ll go and view it and see how it feels.

OP posts:
sagi14 · 15/10/2017 23:00

Bump

Grounddown17 · 18/10/2017 17:12

My son is in Reception and is really enjoying it! What specific questions do you have Sagi?

Mavericke1 · 18/10/2017 20:52

DC is now in year 1. Overall, it's a good school with a good community feel. The discipline though is often experimental. Last year they were giving children time out and sending them into the corridor or to other classes.
This year it is about staying in the classroom at playtime and sitting on the carpet to reflect in silence.
I think these forms of discipline are problematic for very small children and has led to some anxiety and stress. Also, as with any punishment, it can be wielded when a teacher is simply not having a good day or feeling overwhelmed. In those situations often they will pick on one or two regular offenders rather than judge the situation objectively.
Academically though the kids are way ahead in maths and reading compared to many other local schools.

Original poster
JennyB99 · 04/12/2017 13:23

Hi there, having now seen several schools, lots of them have free flow play in place in the Reception classrooms. La Fontaine doesn't seem to do that. Are the children missing out because of this?

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Anewchapter44 · 23/12/2017 06:19

@jenny I believe reception get their fair share of learning through play and the layout in reception is very different to any other school I've seen. Unlike other schools LFA have a lack of space so where as other schools the children free flow between classrooms and have ongoing use to the outside area the temporary site limits that. Maybe once it moves to the new site it will have all that. Lfa is a very academic school right from reception something you would have seen when visited.

tamcam · 01/03/2018 13:22

My eldest son who has SEN went there for a term. I pulled him out as they were terrible for kids with SEN. Whilst they have some lovely values, it sometimes doesnt completely follow through. Headteacher is very inspiring but the reality is lacklustre

Original poster
JennyB99 · 13/03/2018 10:45

Hi Tamcam, I've just seen your message. May I ask what happened with your son? My daughter also has SEN needs and I'm hopeful for a very positive experience for her. I'd love to hear about your experiences with LFA. I can give you my email if you prefer, thanks.

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Original poster
JennyB99 · 13/03/2018 10:47

Hi Anewchapter44, thanks for your comments, here's hoping the new location will help with space. I got the impression that it's a good balance of learning through play and academics. Just hoping I've made the right choice..have you a child at LFA?

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Original poster
JennyB99 · 13/03/2018 10:50

Hi Mavericke1, thanks for your comments. Here's hoping they improve their approach to discipline, it's so important to handle these things properly with little children and avoid unnecessary stress. I hope your little one is enjoying Year 1 and the new location is working out well. Is the building work causing any disruption? thanks.

OP posts:
Gem51084 · 16/10/2018 07:09

My daughter is on the waiting list for this school - I would love her to get a place.

stoutdefender · 16/10/2018 12:30

Hi,
Any further comments on the pros and cons of La Fontaine, as am deciding between LF and a more local school and would appreciate LF parents' views. Many thanks in advance.

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