In-Year Application in Sevenoaks

[thequietone]

I've been through appeal, unsuccessfully, to get my 6yo into Sevenoaks Primary. He's currently first on the waiting list, and has been since April, as we're three minutes walk from it! So, in the meantime I've been teaching him at home. This is going well, but he needs friends. I'm beginning to consider sending him temporarily to another school nearby, but the Ofsted report is a Grade 3. Do you think I should get him in there until a place comes up at our preferred choice? Help me - I need to make a decision on this ASAP. A place may come up soon at S Primary, but on the other hand we may be waiting another year...poor chap.

What is the other school called? May influence my answer!

Oh yikes, not sure if I should say. It's St John's C of E. We turned down a place there because of the Ofsted report, but I've since been hearing positive things about its improvement.

I would take. I have loads of friends with children there and they are so happy. Its had a complete change around and is no longer the school it once was. It is mixed socially but in terms of behaviour and the staff and leadership there I think you would be really impressed. They fully expect to get an Outstanding on their next Ofsted and I imagine they will.

S Primary is great but I know someone who has moved their ds from there to St Johns simply because it is smaller and has such a caring ethos now.

If homeschooling is not working for you, I personallly would put my dd there while waiting for a place at S Primary. You may decide not to move him in the end!

At least go and have a look around. They are very open about their previous problems and how they have improved things.

Thanks so much for your input. It's good to hear from someone I don't know, who also has good things to say about it. I've got an appointment with the headteacher tomorrow morning, so DS1 and I can take a look.

Very interested to hear your thoughts about St John's. What did you decide? I'm a primary teacher currently on a break after having DS (18 months) and live very close to St John's. We often see the children out on the field and have been recently impressed both by how much more more the games field is used (although still not enough) and how much better the general behaviour is. Am keeping my fingers crossed for when DS starts school as we love living here but are pushing our luck for places at the county primary or Lady B's.

Hi skibelle,

Sorry, I completely lost this thread until now. Well, St John's was so wonderful that DS1 has been there since that very morning I went to visit!! It's got a great community feel. DS1 is absolutely thriving there - every aspect of his learning has blossomed. It's a very nurturing atmosphere and the headteacher has done amazing things. They were waiting for a new Ofsted visit around Christmas, which was then bumped back by Ofsted to post Christmas. As far as I know they are still waiting for them. So frustrating and the old report on the school is so far off the mark now. I'm quite cross with Ofsted, because their delay will no doubt cause problems again with reception this coming September. Parents use Ofsted as a guide, and it will still seem to be a school with issues.

You could also try Dunton Green which may have space. It is a lovely school and my children did very well there.
In Sevenoaks, all schools are good. Those which are not quite as celebrated as others tend to get marked down unfairly.