St Mary's, Wimbledon chase or Dundonald school?

[Blueberrysandgrapes76]

We are lucky enough to be in a position to choose one of these schools to be our top choice and are likely to get in (live in catchments plus go to mass regularly) but which one to put first? I know all three have their merits - st Mary's head is leaving soon I think - anyone know anything about the other two? Have any insights?
Tia

Blueberry, you're really lucky to have the choice of three such great primary schools (would that this was the case for everyone in the borough - but that's another conversation).

I guess it depends whether bringing your DC up in a faith school is the most important thing to you, or not? That you're having the discussion would suggest that it's not? If not, then I would go for the one that's closest to you. Simples .

Good luck.

Agree with gazzalw. All three are excellent and very popular. Dundonald and Wimbledon Chase are in nicer settings with more outside space. But from personal experience of St Mary's it's a fantastic school - academically very good (as well as lots of sport, music and other activities) and gets the best out of the brightest while supporting the less academic but also very nurturing and a lovely supportive school community. The head is leaving at Easter but the new head is very good and is already at the school so shouldn't be any issues with maintaining the current standard, as the structures and governance will continue.
Perhaps think beyond primary -the reason we chose St Mary's is the very good catholic secondaries which St Mary's feeds into.

Dundonald and WC have a very different vibe due to WC being such a large school. My dc went to both when it was a first and middle school system so obviously a good while back. DN and DN now at Dundonald which is lovely but lacks the fields and facilities.

Consider whether your dc would fit best into a larger or smaller school.

However, in your place, if you are staying in the area, I'd go for St Mary's as you will be almost certain to get a place at one of the Catholic high schools which are excellent. Very much less likely from the other two.

Thank you all. Yes I think we are erring towards st Mary's as it would open up the secondary options. Faith is not the main consideration for her schooling as we are catholic and go to mass but aren't set on a faith school. However it does seem to get great reviews from parents. Yes we are extremely lucky to be in a position to choose - I know Merton schools are generally excellent but so oversubscribed (and I think it also adds £200k on to the house price we paid!). Mary's is furthest from us whereas dundonald is on our way to the station so might put dundonald second as a good point someone said about ease of school run.

Tipperarely, can you tell more about the feeding secondaries of St Mary?

The secondaries are Ursuline High for girls and Wimbledon College for boys. Both are excellent comprehensives.

From bitter experience I can say that even as mass attending Catholic family and a sibling attending the school, ds2 did not get a placemat Wimbledon College. Ds1 went and did really well there. DS 2 ended up in the private sector as there was no viable alternative at that time. So I wouldn't risk it.

Most Year 6s from St Mary's go on to the Ursuline school (girls) or Wimbledon college (boys) both in Wimbledon, also St Philomena's for girls (Carshalton) and the Oratory for boys (West Brompton). Some also go to grammar schools in Kingston and Sutton.