Trafalgar and Archdeacon Cambridge, Twickenham

[MuddledMe]

I've posted before but just wondered if anyone else had experience of these Twickenham primaries. We are incredibly close to both (prob closest to Archdeacon) and I am still dithering over which order to put them in our school application. On viewing I preferred the feel of Archdeacon and the general Mum's view locally seems to favour that school, but I've recently heard some very good reports about Trafalgar and wonder whether I should give it more consideration. Any advice gratefully received.

My son's been at Archdeacon since Reception and he's now in Year 4 - we have been so happy there. We had the same dilemma as you but we're nearer Trafalgar by a pinch. The fact that the children spend their whole school life on the one site at Archdeacon was a factor for me (at Trafalgar there's an infant site and a junior site) and also the lovely Year 6 kids who showed me round on open day. The link to Orleans Park secondary is a good thing too (Trafalgar links to Teddington - also a good choice). The overwhelming feeling at Archdeacon is happiness - from the kids, teachers and parents. Both my son and I have made some lovely friends at the school which I think says a lot. Not sure if I've made things any clearer for you but this is our experience. Good luck.

All Richmond Borough parents need to be aware that the council is looking to make some significant changes to Secondary Schools over the coming years, which could impact existing schools, so check out the thread: "New Secondaries for Richmond Borough" and join the debate. The council (say they) will listen to parents' views, but we can only engage in the process if we know what's going on.

has anyone heard about a bullying problem at Archdeacon. We heard there was a significant problem in both 4 and 6 and that efforts to sort it were ineffectual. Also heard school to home communication is poor. parents arent informed when children are being hit by other kids. Any experience of the truth in this. We are getting worried

johnwithers, hello. I have two children at Archdeacon and it is a lovely school. As you wrote your posting in July, the year groups you're talking about must now be 5 and 7 (who've now moved on). I know parents who have children in both and haven't heard of any significant problems over and above the normal fall-outs and incidents that happen at any school.

Home communication is satisfactory in my view. Teachers are present in the playground at the start and end of the day for parents to chat to if they have concerns. The children are confident and outgoing. It is a small school, with a strong sense of community, and the teachers know every child's name. Its hard to comment on your specific example without knowing all the details, but it sounds like the sort of rumour that starts from one parent with a specific grievance and ends up being blown out of proportion (and unfairly affecting a school's reputation when it is posted on Mumsnet).

Hi,
I went to Archdeacon and so did my brother (ok, admittedly a bit too long ago to be entirely relevant to your child...) but it was a great school and would definitely recommend it! TBH I think both are pretty decent though!