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Original poster

HELP - calling all North Kingston parents!!

15 replies

phonix · 14/01/2011 19:51

Moved to NK a month ago. Seems like our timing was spot on, as now at the start of the spring term we're are being offered places (in Year R) in most of our preferred primary schools - which is great. However, this also creates a massive dilemma...which school do we pick? We have DC1 who is reception age, and DC2 who'll be starting reception next Sept.
The two main contenders are Latchmere school and St Luke CoE primary school.
Our DC1 is (was) due to start at Latchmere on Monday, but at 5pm tonight we've also been offered a Year R place by St Luke...
We could go and visit them on Monday, BUT.... the deadline for school application for DC2 is tomorrow!!!! So effectively, we only have 24 hrs to decide [shocked].
Being new in the area, we don't know anyone who goes to either of these two schools. We visited both and liked both even though they're very different Confused
Is there anyone out there tonight with personal info and experience re. these schools??!?! Any advice is much appreciated!!!

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Deaddei · 14/01/2011 20:13

Obviously ST Luke's is much smaller and C of E - are you religious?
Both excellent whichever you choose.

Original poster
phonix · 14/01/2011 21:06

We're a Christian family (not CoE), but no, not particularly religious. We didn't pick St Luke because of faith reasons.
Just want to make sure that we don't lose out on the school that is proven to be better both anecdotally and factually, if you know what I mean....

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Original poster
phonix · 14/01/2011 21:11

Deaddei - do you/did you have children in one or the other?

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Original poster
phonix · 15/01/2011 10:32

Is anyone from North Kingston around this morning?

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Deaddei · 15/01/2011 14:05

No-I am the other side.

letsblowthistacostand · 15/01/2011 19:30

I imagine you've made your decision by now, but here's my 2 cents. If you live very near to St Lukes (Elm Rd or Acre Rd) then I would choose that. St Lukes has a bulge class this year only, which is probably why they had space for your DC1. Next year they are doing 1 form entry and it's likely most of those spaces will be taken by siblings, so unless you live very, very close, your DC2 might not get in. Latchmere, on the other hand, is a sure thing as they are 4-form entry.

Both are excellent schools, I'm sure you'll be happy whichever you choose!

Original poster
phonix · 15/01/2011 20:16

Hi letsblow - no we haven't, we're still reading ofsted reports going back as far as nearly 10 yrs Hmm.
I see your point, but we've asked already, DC2's place in St Luke would be pretty much guaranteed, he'd be the 19th sibling in next september's class of 30 intake Shock. They've already counted the siblings.
So if you know anyone going for that school, this info is pretty much official, there'll be nearly 20 siblings next year...

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Original poster
phonix · 15/01/2011 20:29

I can tell you though, at this point I feel almost physically sick...who would've thought that the "luxury" of not being able to choose can do this to you?!? Come May we'll have three DC, so whichever school we go for it's going to be a huge part of our lives for a very very long time...

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letsblowthistacostand · 15/01/2011 20:45

Oh god, St Lukes all the way then. I'm sure Latchmere is lovely but if you've got the chance for St Lukes go for it. The only drawback I can think of is it might be a bit snobbier than Latchmere.

littleomar · 15/01/2011 20:51

what about commute/childcare? we've just applied for my DS1 and while i prefer latchmere, St luke's would be way easier for dropping off DS1, dropping the baby at nursery then getting to work.

OTOH, i liked st luke's more than i thought i would, but would rather my boys went to school with fellow heathens so i don't inadvertently offend anyone at the school gates.

Original poster
phonix · 15/01/2011 21:09

Ladies, you've hit the nail on the head, this is exactly what we're trying to avoid!! We've just moved from a very affluent part of Kent to get away from all that. Even there we've only lasted 5 months and this would be for 10+ yrs...
So for us, it's very much a deciding factor!!

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letsblowthistacostand · 15/01/2011 21:40

So which are you going for?

Original poster
phonix · 15/01/2011 21:54

gut feeling says Latchmere...
for DC2 could put St luke as our first choice and Latchmere second. Then after our visit on Monday even if we decide against St Luke for DC1, DC2 won't get a place there anyway (based on distance only), so they will end up in the same school eventually.

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23balloons · 16/01/2011 08:36

I know nothing about the schools but from experience would go for the bigger school. Often in one form entry schools there can be problems with class dynamics (eg mix of boys/girls, personality clashes, high number of SEN in one class etc..)

In a larger school it is easier to mix the classes up & resolve issues. If my dc were in a one form entry would have had to leave the school by now as ds2 was 'stalked' by a boy who made his life a total misery. Now the classes have mixed he is very very happy.

Original poster
phonix · 16/01/2011 10:49

Hi 23ballons - thanks for the tip and I tend to agree!! We've seen some very similar issues emerging in DC1's school down in Kent which was also 1form entry.

Luckily, in the last 2 yrs we've experienced both smaller and larger settings through various nurseries and schools. Interestingly enough, our DC tend to feel more comfortable in establishments that are on the larger scale.

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