Belleville school - catchment area

[TheWheelsOnTheBusHaveFallenOff]

I'm about to move back to SW11 and though ds is a few years off starting school I understand that the Belleville catchment area is getting smaller all the time ... but does anyone have any idea of how far it actually extends please? I'm on one of the roads off Northcote road, running up towards Clapham Common, nearer to the common than northcote road.

Just want to be prepared as if ds isn't going to get into Belleville I should start thinking about other options now, ridiculously. Some of the private schools say things like "name down at birth" so have missed the boat on that one already. Would have to start doing some serious saving too!

If you call the council they should be able to tell you
links

Looks like last year you had to live within 500m
Honeywell 455m

I would have thought you would be alright where you are for Belleville, I know people much further than that who got in, although that was about 3 years ago.

Name down at birth stuff for private schools is rubbish for most of them locally - a couple are first come first served, but the rest assess and will see you no matter when you get on the list. I think they do it so you will panic and pay the registration fee for 5 or 6 schools!

Welcome back to scenic Wandsworth, btw. Where have you been in the meantime?

[hello blonde!]

Hi wilbur
Do Lambeth publish the distance info? Their forms for primary application aren't out yet and I'm wondering if we'll be near enough to Henry Cav

Based on last year, we wouldn't get into any of the nearest Wands schools

Not sure about whether Lambeth have a distance calculator, but someone I know has her son and daughter at Henry Cav and they are in Alderbrook Rd, so further away than you. It is getting more popular though, so it might be worth calling them to see what they say.

When do applications have to be in for HC, do you know?

Lambeth Primary school admissions for September 2009

If your child was born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005, the application opening date for reception class 2009/10 academic year is 10 November 2008 and the closing date for applications is 02 February 2009.

The Wandsworth applications have already opened

thanks all, very helpful. moving back from a short spell north of the river.

Gosh - north of the river! Was it quite wild? I hear people up there walk around with copies of Satre and extra-strong expressos at all times.

mmm.. yes, I would call the school secretary/admissions person and have a chat, prob best way to find out how close you need to be to the school?

seems to be difficult to find out info so far in advance as it changes every year. I have however done whatr I can to find out the exact walking distance from my house to the school - and it is about 493 metres!! though really, how do they calculate it - to the school gates? to the door? there are two entrances - which one counts?!! also if ds didn't get accepted there then next nearest is Honeywell which clearly has the same catchment issues. I know I am being premature about worrying but as ds is first I am not clued up on any of this stuff.

as for north of the river, yes people do things differently here! not seen too much Satre but there is a man with a wooden bicycle and a wicker rucksack and I think a fair few people round here may knit their own yoghurt. can't wait to return to the original and best Nappy Valley!

Hiya thewheelsonthebus, I can't really help you with your query, but just wanted to say Hi, I live on the corner of Kelmscott and Northcote Roads. Belleville school is in the next road along to us. I hope you manage to get in, I have a friend of a friend who's a teacher there and it's meant to be fab. I'd quite like ds to go to the nursery there as it's so close. Not sure what the nursery is like and I think they're quite clear about the fact that going to the nursery does not get you in to the school. I don't think we'll still be here in four years time when ds is at the right age for reception which is a shame cos it would be vvvvv handy for us!

I would call them - they will tell you the exact thing about which door etc (and i bet there will be a specified entrance).

Altho obv they won't give you any guarantees they will have a rough idea of your likelihood to get in...

Lambeth and distance-no
You'd get A wouldn't you?!

I think HC would be no prob I know people quite a bit further away than you who go there! (You can also see them walking from quite a way in the AM) You'd probably also get T as well.
Have you discounted the other options then?

1dilemma - A would be bottom of my list!
I'm going to apply to both Wands & Lamb and see what we get

500m was the first or second round offer (not wure which) distance to Belleville last year. Those offers are made in the Spring. After that people go on a waiting list and if anyone drops out later further offers are made. Therefore, the distance increases by September when they start school.

Belleville distance shrinking all the time. Vastly oversubscribed and siblings taking up many places before you even get to distance from school.

A great sch though

Hi, quick question ..... what happens if you move into the area when your child is already older than reception age / when applications have finished ? ....... do you / can you get in ?? How would that work mid-year (or not work, LOL !!).

We're in Battersea, by the river, probably sending almost 3 yr old DD to Newton Prep but keep being tempted by houses (and the schools) between the commons near our friends. Obviously if we get in before the reception admissions end then we stand a fighting chance ..... but what if it's after then ?? Is it even worth bothering ?

Urgently looking for babysitter/weekend help for 2 year old in Balham

We've just moved to Balham/Wandsworth Common after living for a couple of years in South Africa. We need to get a babysitter asap and haven't had much luck so far asking for recommendations through friends. I've also tried asking at my son's nursery school but if anyone knows a good sitter who would be interested in regular evening work and perhaps a few hours in the morning on the odd weekend, please let me know!! THANKS

Mamoni, you'll probably do better to start a new thread in this section as few people are likely to read your message here (I'm not even sure why I opened up a thread on the catchment area for Belleville as I'm certainly not in it).

The last time this came up in the Wandsworth area Sitters were recommended on the basis that they have some very good sitters locally. That or your sons nursery school (I've always had sitters from my DCs' nursery) may be your best options.