Schools in South Norwood- Cypress Infant school

[smallsheikh]

Hi
Does anyone know anything about Cypress infant school in South Norwood? The ofsted report has given it an outstanding but I'm still unsure about the school. Spoke to a parent recently, she gave a mixed review of the school. Also, does anyone have children at this school and do they like it?

Are they any other schools that someone can recommend in the South Norwood area?

Very confused and nervous about making school choice for my son : (

Thanks!

I'm thinking of Cypress for my son. It does get a great ofsted report and I've spoken to a couple of parents who are happy with it. It seemed quite nice to me, but it's the only school I've visited, so I've nothing to compare it to.

It does look a little run down compared to Rockmount in Upper Norwood, which has brand new facilities, but how important are fancy facilities in primary?

Don't know how close this is to you but what about Downsview? It's more Thornton Heath way. It gets an excellent ofsted report too.

Is an outstanding ofsted report everything, though? Who'd have thought picking a primary school would be such a minefield?

Sorry, that wasn't much help. I've only just started looking myself.

If you're a practising Catholic, have a look at Thomas Beckett - it's in Woodside; but be warned, it's pretty over-suscribed as it does quite well academically.

www.education.gov.uk/performancetables/primary_09.shtml

My son is at Cypress (was in the nursery class last year, in reception now) and he's very happy there. The school has changed a lot over the past couple of years and the head teacher is very committed to continuing the improvement. The infant school also has a lot of land with two playgrounds, an adventure playground and a field, so there's lots of opportunity for outside activities. The buildings aren't new and shiny, that's true, but they've got lots of facilities, and what seem to me to be some pretty forward thinking ways of teaching.

We're very happy with the school and would recommend it. It's got a three form entry which is good, but it's still oversubscribed, so it depends how far away you live. But definitely go and visit because you need to see it for yourself rather than rely on the Ofsted.

As well as Downsview and Rockmount, there's Ryelands if you're down that way, which I've heard reasonable things about. All Saints used to have a good reputation but I know a few people who haven't been happy there recently.