moving to Petts Wood

[fencesitter]

Just wondered if any MNers live there and whether they like it... also been looking at primary school ofsted reports but would like to hear from anyone with experience of any of them.
Thanks!

Don't live in Petts Wood but know the area (I'm in Orpington). Have no idea about schools yet though.

I live in Petts Wood andd am sending my son to Croften, i have visited the school whic seemedd really good and the ofsted report is also good, with a new headmaster who's previous school was outstanding so he is working towards getting the same for Croften. I know of a few children who attend Croften and they seem happy there and the parents are pleased with it. Hope this is of some help.

I live in Petts Wood andd am sending my son to Croften, i have visited the school whic seemedd really good and the ofsted report is also good, with a new headmaster who's previous school was outstanding so he is working towards getting the same for Croften. I know of a few children who attend Croften and they seem happy there and the parents are pleased with it. Hope this is of some help.

Hi, I live on the border of Petts Wood, it's a really nice area. My daughter changed to Crofton School (from a London school) in February in year 4 and is really happy there.

Just seen there are some more replies. That's helpful, thanks. Our self-imposed deadline to be there is August 2009 so I will keep checking in again till we have moved!
Morre do you have any idea how close you have to be to Crofton to get in??

Old old thread! BUt the crofton catchment is pretty huge because the school is so enormous - tis 6 form entry.

Other local schools in Petts Wood area are Southborough (where my dd goes) and St James's RC primary. St James's is nigh on impossible to get into because it tops the league tables in Bromley and only 1 form entry.

Southborough is a little rough around the edges, but dd is absolutely thriving there. Is one of those schools where until your child goes there, you tend to be unsure, but almost universally all the parents I know are immensely pleased with the teaching and the school environment. Is 2 form entry with a catchment of approx. 1km.

Oh hello, thanks for that! We moved to Petts Wood in December so now just settling in. Thanks for the school tips. We are just round the corner from Crofton now.

Hi i just feel that i need to reply about the comment made about Southborough school.

I have 2 children who go there and are doing extremley well. I do not think the school is 'rough around the edges' but a fantastic school.

My 3rd child spent 1 day in Crofton, which i must add is a very large primary school. A mother spoke to me in the playground on theat day, when i said my daughter had just been offered a place at Southborough she said to me 'oh you dont want to send her there, council kids go there'

I was horrified, needless to say my daughter hated her one and only day at Crofton but settled in Southborough wonderfully.

I guess its all about personal preference but i would rate Southborough much higher than Crofton and that is with knowing both puils and many teachers.

Kentmumtj - I'm not arguing about southborough being great! My dd goes there, and has settled beautifully and love it to bits. I have been incredibly impressed by the way the school is organised and by the brilliant teachers and was v. disappointed that the recent ofsted didn't reflect what I have felt about the school.

I think that "rough around the edges" was the wrong phrase. What I meant was that it seems to be unfairly seen by parents at other local schools to be less desirable. Like PP, it is seen by some as being "common", which mirrors your "council kids" comment. I have come across comments like that which I must say do upset me because I suppose I want my children to be at a school that is well thought of by everyone in the area, rather than the one that people go to by necessity if they don't get into other preferred schools (and that was me - wasn't my first choice, but dd thriving so have had to reevaluate).

Sorry if I offended.

Oh and I agree with you about lack of stuff to do for older kids in Bromley generally. That's what happens when funding is cut in order to keep Council taxes low, IMO. Bromley hasn't historically had a great record for providing youth services, social services and so on. I do feel that people in Bromley seem rather uninterested in young people, don't know whether that's because it is a fairly affluent/aging area or not.

Hi! I am completely new to the area, we found a nice house on Whitebeam Avenue and thinking if it is worth it. I am looking to give my son to St James RC Primary as he will be 4 and will join reception 2018. Can you give any feedback on Whitebeam avenue area and also if I will be in the catchment of St James School?
many thanks

Hello, St James is down not to catchment but regular attendance at a Catholic school. You will need to check priority on the admissions. It is only a one form school so doesn’t have a lot of movement. I gather from my neightbour’s DC who went there it involved a recommendation from the Father at St James’ the Great church opposite the school. I don’t know too specifically about Whitebeam as am more on the ‘other side’ of PW but can say it is a great locality to bring my up a family.

Sorry, realise that should stay attendance at a Catholic Church, not school.

I have understood. Thanks.
We practice very regulary but at different catholic church, which I thibk should not be a problem and will definitely have good references. Hopefully that will work