WEST LONDON MEET-UP THREAD - NOVEMBER 2006 - EALING, ACTON, CHISWICK, KEW, RICHMOND, ISLEWORTH, KINGSTON ETC

[MrsBonfire]

It's the 4th and I had forgotten to start the November thread. Shame on me!

Well here it is because the October one is getting way too long anyhow

baby balloon

cbeebies xmas

10 November evening meet at Brula

West London xmas do

SJ's babyshower

i think the one at the end of my road is good but i would like to have a look first, it has an Asquith nursery attached to it.
we were thinking of a couple of mornings a week when she dd is over 3.

the thing is a lot of secondary schools have 'links' with primaries so am counting on dd being clever to widen the choice

just looking into rental accommodation in Marlow... 3bed place ok it's not a fantastic looking mansion but for that money and the location I wouldn't care . The idea of moving is looking more and more enticing... lemme see... same rent, bigger place close to town centre, garden (!), and dh's higher wages... I'm sold

Don't suppose it is school\133\s1013334320040520.pdfKew Riverside There are no test results because the school is too new to have them. But, at a quick glance the report looks good. If it is this school, you might want to contact the office and ask what the admissions criteria are.

now to look into schools! argh

Hey, isn't High Wycombe where they raided the terrorist apartment? (among others)

Perhaps Marlow is a nicer place. And maybe I should shut up since I've never been to HW and know virtually nothing about it except where it sits on a map.

sfx - the one close to you is probably the one Sue's LOL might go to too, which would be nice - you can have a gossip at the school gates!

The only poor primary school in Richmond/Kew is Holy Trinity - which is still on a par with average London schools, but just not a great as the average Richmonfd Primary.

TBH, secondary schools in Richmond are a nightmare.

For Richmond/Kew families, there is:

Waldegrave for DDs only (brill school)
Tiffin Girls and Boys, for the very bright children whose parents can afford a Tiffin tutor for at least two years (but only 10% of THOSE children get through the entry exams)
Orleans (mediocre but OK)
Grey Court (in special measures )
Shene, (rough)
Christs (still a bit rough but rapidly improving - CofE, but takes others too - currently over subscribed and a fave for Queens families).

Catholics also have London Oratory and Cardinal Vaughn, Wimbledon College, Sacred Heart and Gumley House (smirk) - but intake from whole of west London dso all oversubscribed.

MrsBo- a lot of staff here live in High Wycombe and commute on the A40.

Fox starts to fantasise about moving to Marlow too ....smaller mortgage, work part time, (dreams)

MrsBo - But does Marlow have a Primark - that is the key question???

A Tiffin Tutor? ARe there Toturs which specialise in getting into the Tiffin schools? Yes, I have my sights currently set on the Tiffin schools. And if they don't get in then I think I'm going to bow o the private schools (funds permitting.... oh Uwila dreams....)

yes think that would be the one.
my niece goes to Lady Margaret in Parsons Green, it is very good would love dd to get in, that is if we are still in london then

hmmmm On last visit didn't venture beyond bijou towncenter... but I have spotted a superdrug .

we have friends whose girls went to Tiffin but it was years ago, they are in their early 20's now. it is crazyeither way what you need is money to get a half decent education

Uwila - A Tiffin Tutor from the age of eight is the norm!! There are a bunch of recommended ones and you/we () need to get the kiddies on the Tiffin Tutor waiting list at some point!!!

I reckon a tutor would replace the after school activities (but not such fun for the children eh?).

sfx - Kew Riverside has quite a nice catchment area so should be a good school. You could also try Queens who are a often bit lax about the church criteria (i.a. they take children who don't attend). You should be close enough for both. We went to the Kew Riverside summer fair as there was life sized Dalek there (one of the writers of Dr Who has his children at the school). It seemed like a really nice school - friendly and a great atmosphere etc.

Where do I get on a Tiffin Tutor waiting list??????????

If paying for a tutor gets us into tiffin and keeps us away from private school fees, then I'll pay for the tutor. Of course, I'll probably pay for the tutor and then not get in. I mean lets face it DS is nearly 18 months old and just barely starting to walk. God help us!

Uwilalala - will let you know when we get to that stage (which will be soonish, as DS is 6!). I'll no doubt get the info. through the school network, probably next year, as they have their first sats at the end of this year.

A serious question now:

Anyone know where I can buy Dr Who trading cards - usually a newsagents but they all seem to be out of stock

Pc666????

I'd go on-line ebay

foxie had a look at Queens and their admission policy a while back, there is lots about the school that i like but i also had some doubts about some other aspects.
think dh will plump for riverside just on the strenght of the drWho connectionwell the previous criteria was the cutest uniform

MrsBo - good idea, thanks

sfx - my opinion of Queens is a bit poor actually. Three families I know have taken their children out because its pushy to the point where their children were unhappy and felt too pressured. I have another friend whose son's whole personality has changed (used to be confident, now is withdrawn) due to ongoing bullying, which the school haven't dealt with. Another Mum I know switched schools as she was sick of the playground being full of "loud mouthed over acheivers" (that's the parents ).

Kew Riverside seems much more friendly. Lets face it, if its good enough for Daleks, well (Daleks are pretty well educated actually )....Sue's LO may well go there too I think, so that would be fab.

How old is your LO now?

But, Sue's little one won't be in the same year because he is not yet even 12 months old. Don't you guys just wish we could have a webcam into the orphanage so we could see what he looks like... and watch Sue wave her finger at him.

Yeah I know, but they'll still meet in the playground.

Yes, I wish that too

that was my issue with Queens it seem to focus just on results to the point of forgetting all else. i want a more rounded education and a more creative relaxed approach to teaching

Gosh, this is REALLY helpful. anyone got feedback/ opinions on Vineyard?

So, who on here is going to the mumsnet christmas meet-up at Ruby's (behind Selfridges)? Nanou, Medela, and MrsBigD please check your e-mail.

Not me: we are off to Paris for birthday/ anniversary treat. No kids - yippee (one night only though)
Imagine: a hangover lie-in, no kids