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Original poster

Only days to go before Primary School Selection comes out. How do you feel?

27 replies

Starbear · 08/03/2009 10:26

I know it's in the lap of the gods but, if we can't get a school in Kingston it's really going to negatively effect our life.
If he get a school outside it will mean the following to me.

Second car! 2)Granny will not be able to pick him up OR private school & full time working! I'm really crossing fingers How about everyone else?

OP posts:

ComeOVeneer · 08/03/2009 10:33

We are in Elmbridge and got our results on the 27th Feb. I didn't get the result I was hoping for for ds (did for dd entering junior school), so am hoping the Kingston results may mean that some offered a place at the school I want for ds will take up a Kingston offer and drop the offer at that school (as happened last year). Fingers crossed you get the result you want.

Original poster

Starbear · 08/03/2009 10:47

Sorry, I'm a bit confused Kingston Council think they won't enough have places in the whole borough for Kingston kids! They are, as we speak, building pre-fabs in playgrounds to fit them all in AND even they might not have the right numbers.
How does the school choice effect your future? It's a real bummer isn't it!

OP posts:

ComeOVeneer · 08/03/2009 10:54

In the past people from Kingston have applied across to the most local schools in Elmbridge (just other side of Surbiton), becuase they may be geographically closer than my house they get a place, we go on the waiting list. Then 2 weeks later they get offered a place at their prefered Kingston school and turn down the Elmbridge offer, so those on the waiting list get offered them. Last year in one school 17 people on the waiting list got in because of this (it is crazy the council area you are in should take preference over "as the crow flys" surely!

Original poster

Starbear · 08/03/2009 11:05

Oh! I see. It shocking. Thought this government said Education, Education Education. In the 60's I went to a really great school on the borders of Mitcham not posh just working families. It's sad to think in the 21st century our children will not be getting the same.

OP posts:

ComeOVeneer · 08/03/2009 11:37

I know, I was chatting to my mother about this when we were putting in the applications. They moved to an area for 4 months between my dad's postings (he worked in the oil industries overseas) and she simply phoned the local school and spoke to the headmaster and 2 days later my sister and I were attending the school for a few months until we moved agaain. It was a given not that many years ago that you would get a place at your local school!

Original poster

Starbear · 25/03/2009 08:00

Well, I thought you could check today and find out through e-admissions but they lied it's not until tomorrow! I hope they mean you'll receive info by post today! Well I don't think I can wait in for the post. I don't think my boss will agree with my reasons for being late.

OP posts:

aznerak · 27/03/2009 14:24

So Starbear, did you get what you wanted???

ComeOVeneer · 27/03/2009 14:39

Oh goody if they are now out I may find out soon if DS has been bumped up the list and has got a place now at our first choice!

Wheelybug · 27/03/2009 14:54

how did you do starbear? We got our first choice and seems in opur area of the borough there wasn't much oversubscription unlike last yr. Hope you got on ok....

Original poster

Starbear · 27/03/2009 23:11

Can't talk about it, too upset

OP posts:

aznerak · 29/03/2009 21:36

oh no starbear, what happened??

Original poster

Starbear · 30/03/2009 09:05

We didn't get our first choice. I'm not going to say which school we got because it wouldn't be fair to criticize a school that another MN's children might go to. It's one of the only two schools in the area that results do not even get the kids up to the national standard. I liked the school but DH went barmy. (A least he cares, my dad could give a fig about my education)
We have made some enquires and we are third on the waiting list of our first choice. So I'm going to the school now to go on the waiting list and appeal forms. I know it's unlikely. We have made some plan Bs' as well so Monday seems better than last Thursday. In the great scheme of things it's not life or death but.......

OP posts:

EdwardCullensWife · 30/03/2009 09:38

Third on the waiting list is pretty good imo. There's a good chance you'll get a place. Which school are you hoping for? Mine are at L.

Original poster

Starbear · 30/03/2009 10:30

Not going to say if you don't mind. Have a habit, on this thing, of revealing too much.
We have friends who are going to L. Maybe we'll bump into each other. I've got to say there are some equally lovely parents and children we know that haven't got the school they hoped for. We wish them luck. Now we have to press the council for a new Secondary school and quick before this blows up again in 5 years time.

OP posts:

aznerak · 30/03/2009 21:04

Hi Starbear

The government has said yes to funding for the new secondary school and we will find out site in May/June.

Are you in North Kingston area?

My children are at Latchmere so I know it well if there is anything you want to know

Original poster

Starbear · 30/03/2009 22:23

Thank you aznerak, no we are not, just a stones throw though. We will press on with our plan B. Thank you for the support.
Re: Secondary School I couldn't understand the share agreement with Croydon! Do you? Would that mean we will get Croydon kids travelling to Kingston? OR that the site will be in Croydon or neither of those?!
I also worry with finance as it is, the school will be shelved!

OP posts:

Original poster

Starbear · 30/03/2009 22:24

ComeOVeneer Are you happy with your results? Good luck

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EdwardCullensWife · 31/03/2009 00:46

I think it's something to do with Croydon not being ready so they've agreed to let us have their funding so we get our new school earlier than planned and then they get our funding when they're ready. This may, however, be completely wrong. But it will be a school for Kingston children. They won't be shipping Croydon children in by the busload.
I'm just hoping it will be ready in time for DS1 in 2013 (council are saying 2013/14). And I can't think where they're going to put it.

Original poster

Starbear · 31/03/2009 07:43

Sadly, I have heared it might be the Hawker Centre which would be sad for sport but a lovely location for a school. Or near Sainsbury's which I can't picture.

OP posts:

EdwardCullensWife · 31/03/2009 09:09

The Hawker would be a brilliant site, right by the river. They'd have to create a new sports centre elsewhere, surely.

Original poster

Starbear · 31/03/2009 19:31

Hope so. Please don't quoto me as I heared from a friend who heared from Little John Dory. (Sorry a Tiddler Book joke)

OP posts:

aznerak · 31/03/2009 19:49

Hi again

I am one of the actual petitioners for the new secondary school and as such, I have been very heavily involved in this, attending several council meetings, meetings with MPs and other local councillors etc etc

I have been liaising with the council since the governemnt have given the go ahead with the joint Croydon BSF venture.

Basically, what is happening is that Croydon has no proven track record in successfully managing big projects but are in the next round of the BSF program (Building Schools for the future). Kingston on the other hand has excellent project managemnt skills having successfully carried out the Chessington Community School transformation both on time and on budget but we are not eligible for BSF until much later.

So, Kingston and Croydon have joined forces to agree that they will lend us funds for our new school and then Kingston will provide project management to Croydon. They then submitted the proposal to government and thank goodness, they have said yes.

The Hawker Centre and gas works around Sainsburys are both options but the Hawker Centre has some planning issues around it so it may well prove too problematic. The council are also considering some private land, though they are not prepared to publicise these spots yet.

As soon as I hear any more, I will certainly report back, but it will be a Kingston school for Kingston/Richmond kids (depending on location!)

Hope this helps xxx

Original poster

Starbear · 31/03/2009 19:57

aznerak Thank you for the update. I remember last time I think you posted I ran down to the Council buildings, on the same night, to show my support. Thank you for the effort you and the other petitioners made on our childrens behalf.

OP posts:

MollyHolly · 16/05/2009 14:06

We're in a muddle over school selection.

Our DS has had offers from 3 North Kingston schools but we have to choose which one very soon. All 3 have added extra classes this year (Alexandra, Fern Hill and Latchmere) so we're worried about overcrowding and oversubscription in the playgrounds and the clubs etc.

Has anyone got children in reception in any of the schools that added an extra class last year (Fern Hill and Alexandra I believe). How are the schools coping with the situation?

I wonder how they managed in 1947 when the birth rate went up 25% in a year! At least it's only going up 5% a year these days.

aznerak · 18/05/2009 19:39

Hi there MollyHolly

Wow, you are lucky to have 3 offers for such fantastic schools!

I am a Latchmere mum and have a son currently in year 2 and a daughter in rainbow nursery who will move into reception in september.

I love Latchmere and we have had a meeting with the head teacher about how the extra class will work. I am incredibly confident that it will make little or no difference to the day to day running of the school. I think the school will cope admirably with the extra children and the staff there are SO fantastic, it will be fine. My concern longer term is if they are forced to take an additional class every single year. This year, if it is a one off, will pose no problems. Latchmere is already a big school and so an extra class should not be a problem but ongoing, I don't feel the school has enough space to cope with 4 year entry in every year group.

Do ask if you have any Latchmere specific questions or if you want to email me, let me know and I will give you my email.

A xxx

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