Infant schools near preston park

[mamasmissionimpossible]

Does anyone here send their dc's to Stanford Infant school and can give me an idea of what is really like as a school? I have to find a school for my ds for September 2010. I am also going to view Balfour Infants and Downs Infants, as these are also close to us (preston park) Thanks!

I live near stanford, although my children don't go there. I have heard very good things about it - people certainly fight to get in. HOWEVER, you need to live practically on the doorstep to get in - I know people who live very close who didn't get in.

From what I have heard Balfour is better than Downs, although both are good. Again, the catchment for Balfour is tiny.

Stanford downs and balfour all v good.My son went to downs and it was brilliant.He is 15 now and I really think it set him up really well.balfour is more yummy mummy and downs more artists but that is a generalisation too!

Thanks for your helpful opinions. Are they any other schools that are good in the area? Do you know anything about Hertford Infants or St. Bartholomew's on Ann St.?

Stanford, Balfour and Downs all excellent schools. Purely on SATs figs, I think Balfour or Stanford come out highest, but all are highly sought after. They do differ in ethos though, and I agree with noddy's comment!
St Barts has had a bad rep for quite some time now. I am not sure if things have changed, but it does tend to have quite a transient intake which may be worth asking about. Hertford Infants is on the up (although SATs aren't too good). I haven't heard any bad comments about it from parents, although some end up there because they didn't get into the other popular schools.
I have to say though, you may not have that much choice! Pressure on places is so high, where you lives really determines which school you get to a large extent.
Best of luck.

An old Friends DD is at Stanford, don't see her much now, but she was raving about how good the School is & how much DD loves it last time I saw her.........

St Barts on the other hand didn't get such good press from another friend, she was so fed up with it, she moved her 3 Kids to another City Center School, 2 of her Kids were falling way behind,& felt she was banging her head against a brick wall with the School.....it was only a year ago, & they are both thriving now,