Primary schools/admissions in SE4/SE14/SE23/SE26

[ZamMummy]

DH & I lived in Peckham Rye until 2004 when we moved to Zambia, but that was pre-kids! We are now thinking about moving back (DH contract due to end next year or 2010 latest). Have been looking at the council website and it looks like almost every school in the borough is oversubscribed! Does this mean that as well as finding somewhere to live that we can actually afford we also have to find somewhere practically next to a primary school?
What are the schools like in Brockley/New Cross/Forest Hill/Sydenham? Want somewhere with a nice friendly atmosphere and good adult/child ratio more than tip-top results.
DS1 born in June 06 so would need to be applying in Jan 2010 for Jan 11 entry - the thing is that we may not be back until April 2010, so would that mean he won't get in anywhere, or end up somewhere at the other end of the borough? We could potentially come back early, around August 2009, but would have to let DH's company know very soon, and it wouldn't be very popular.....

My dd goes to Gordonbrock in SE4 - I like the school. It is big(75 kids start reception) but its still very friendly school.

I've also heard good things about Myatt Garden towards new Cross but its harder to get into and I think Dalmain in SE23.

I was suprised by the number of children who left the school in the reception year - families moving away etc and most people who didn't get their first choice seemed to put their child on the waiting list and eventually got a place.

Suggest that you get Lewisham's starting school book. In that it gives you details of number of admissions and the furthest child admitted from the school. Also read the ofsted reports, school change really quickly, and the ofsted gives you an idea of the school. Look at league tables and in particular the value added scores as these give a measure of how the school brings on children of all abilities. Ideally visit all the schools you are interested in as IME people have very different views of schools.

Schools that I have heard our good include: Myatt Garden, Tidemill, Ashmead, All Saints, St Margarets Lee, Bindishee - but make sure which ever you chose you read that schools admissions criteria and try to make sure that it is your nearest community school. Even if you live further away that family Y if it is the nearest community school to you you will get in over family Y if another school is nearer.

You need to apply by (I think) the end of January in the year before the academic year of admission but speak to the LEA. So you will probably need an address - otherwise you will be bottom of the pile.

Good luck!